Novel Way To Get Your Business Started

Business By Annabakescakes Updated 22 Jul 2009 , 12:56am by miss-tiff

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Ruth0209 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 6:58pm
post #31 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakeMommyTX

I'm thinking about starting my own business if anyone has anything that they don't need anymore or would just like to help a fellow caker out here is a list of things I still need:


$100,000
Building with at least 1,200 sq/ft
Walk-In fridge
Credit score of at least 650
1 re-usable piping bag
icon_lol.gif




Hahahahahah!!!! That's a good one! icon_biggrin.gif

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cupcakelady64 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 7:33pm
post #32 of 65

icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

and spatula thingies, oh, and those little tiny brush tip thingies...

icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

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giraffe11 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 7:55pm
post #33 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas_Rose

Personally, I have given things to too many people on Craigslist who were in desperate need, usually for their kids, and then seen those same things posted for sale the next day. .





Exactly, my friend gave someone on Craigslist a stroller, crib, packnplay and a high chair, b/c the person was just "struggling so much to get ready for my baby. And my boyfriend got laid off and we can't afford a car seat and I'm so afraid of what's going to happen when this baby arrives.....etc"
Less than 4 hours after the pickup, all of her items were listed for sale on Criagslist. Don't even mention that my friend is struggling as much as most everyone, in this economy, to keep food on her kids' plates and could hve sorely used the $100.00 from the sale of her items. These kinds of things turn more people off from doing a kind deed..........

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warmshade Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 8:32pm
post #34 of 65

When I did my first 2 cakes (which were for my fiancee's Sister, for her shower and wedding) I bought all my crap by my self. Her shower cake had pillars and piping gel galore, as well as fondant work. Her wedding cake was a 10, 14, 16 stacked round, with lavender fondant and cornelli lace with what were supposed to be gumpaste roses. They ended up being real Roses because of the humidity at the campground they got married at. It was August after all, in CT. I live in MA. Yea I was totally afraid of screwing up.
My point is at Nineteen I said to myself "Hey I'm gonna need all this crap, lets buy it piece by piece." It took me a month and a half for me to buy all the tools and reading material to teach myself the right techniques. That's not even accounting for the ingredients I needed for practicing and perfecting it all.
I'm 24 now and I'm baffled that my generation has seemed to be the generation of idiots who initiate and take part in scams like this. I can't seem to track done where in school they all missed the idea that, if you put in great efforts and hard work you get rewards back. I mean don't get me wrong I'm am lazy...a lot. Most certainly more than I should be, but I still push myself to work a job and do my cake decorating and budget in for what I need to get my stuff done.
I just can't figure them all out. icon_confused.gif

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diane Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 9:57pm
post #35 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by annacakes79

While checking out my local CL I ran across this add. Now how many people do you really think are going to jump on this? I was scandlized!

WANTED: FREE BAKING SUPPLIES (CINCINNATI)
Reply to: ****************@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-06-22, 10:46AM EDT


Hi, I am in the beginning process of starting my first business, my very own little cake shop. I have been doing special occasion cakes for over 16 years, and I have now decided to share with everyone my passion for fabulous cakes and cute cupcakes. I am trying to build my inventory as cheaply as possible, since I do not have much money. If you have any of the below listed items, that you are not using, have no need for, or would just simply like to help a young girl chase her dream please email me.

I am still looking for;
-Cake pans of all shapes and sizes
-Cupcake liners
-Frosting bags/cupplers/and tips of all sizes
-Frosting tint
-And generally anything you can think of that would help get my bakery going

Thank you so much, and God Bless!!



What do y'all think about this?




are you kidding me! icon_eek.gif does she really think any cake decorator in their right mind would just give away supplies!!!! icon_confused.gificon_confused.gificon_confused.gif

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cylstrial Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 10:04pm
post #36 of 65

Anna - you contacted her and asked for some pics? LOL! Too funny!!

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sportsmom005 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 10:31pm
post #37 of 65

Maybe I'm naive or just way too nice, but I don't see anything terrible about her post. All she's doing is asking, and there's no harm in doing that. As much as I love to bake and decorate, I have next to nothing when it comes to supplies. Maybe she's hoping to come across some people who have bought cake supplies only to find out they don't like baking and decorating or don't have a knack for it.

I've given away plenty of things on both craigslist and freecycle, and I've been lucky enough to receive quite a few of the things I've asked for too. I think it's great for people to have a way to "recycle" things they don't need and don't want money for. It's a shame that there are people out there that think it's ok to take advantage of other people's kindness.

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indydebi Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 10:44pm
post #38 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by sportsmom005

Maybe I'm naive or just way too nice, but I don't see anything terrible about her post. All she's doing is asking, and there's no harm in doing that.


I agree there's no harm in asking. I'd probably think differently of her if it was someone who was on a tight budget and wanted to make her own wedding cake, or wanted to make her parents 50th anniv cake or something.

But she's about to plunge a buttload of money into opening a legal commercial kitchen and she's begging for free decorating bags? I foresee her being able to keep the "open" sign on for about 20 minutes.

Sorry, Chuck, but that kinda bugs me and sends up all kinds of red flags.

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bbmom Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 11:30pm
post #39 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth0209

What I wondered when I read her ad was, if she's been decorating for 16 years why does she need supplies? What has she been baking in? Tin cans? When I started my business, I had plenty of supplies to start with from when I was a hobby baker.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with asking, but somehow it seems like a PP said like someone standing on the corner begging.



That was my first thought. I've only been doing it a couple years and I have more supplies than I have room for.

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newmansmom2004 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 11:39pm
post #40 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by annacakes79

I think it's funny she has been doing it 16 years, but calls herself a "young girl"




EXACTLY! That's the first thing that jumped out at me, too. icon_wink.gif

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newmansmom2004 Posted 20 Jul 2009 , 11:40pm
post #41 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by annacakes79

I think it's funny she has been doing it 16 years, but calls herself a "young girl"




EXACTLY! That's the first thing that jumped out at me, too. icon_wink.gif

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nelikate Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 12:22am
post #42 of 65

Ive been dabbling in cake decorating or should I say cake making since mum let me into the kitchen (at about 12) - Im 30 now - can I say I have been in cake decorating for over 18 years? Even though for the first 17 years I was only decorating with sprinkles.

I dont understand why the younger generations think they can get something for nothing, and it troubles me to think what kind of leadership they will bring.

I left school at 16, my parents supported this decision on the provisor that I had a job to go to and that I continued my education in some form - through work programs or adult education. I am now in my final year of my accounting degree - and I havent gotten here by expecting a handout. I have learnt that if I want something I have to budget, take a checkout operator or pizza delivery job or anything that will pay the bills and pay for the extras I want or I go without.

When I have something I dont want anymore and dont want to go to the trouble of selling - I drop it of at the salvation army shop so they can sell it to earn money to help those less fortunate than myself.

When I bake too much or we have a party at work I deliver the left overs to soup kitchens so they can enjoy. I do sometimes give food and water to beggers on the street because I know when your that far down its hard to get back up. But not to some "young girl" wanting to see what she can get for nothing. I would direct her to the closest "how to run a successful business" and "how to start your first business" course.

What scares me most is what sort of education are these young people getting that fails to teach them to work hard and earn what they want in life.


Nel

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cake1119 Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:17am
post #43 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by CABBYJ

I'm a giver by nature. So if someone has a need and I can fulfill I do. I could care less if they are ripping me off. We all have to answer for it one day anyway. thumbs_up.gif





Very well said. I was getting a little sad with all I was reading, but your comment let me know there are still people like me out there. Thanks

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cake1119 Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:18am
post #44 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by CABBYJ

I'm a giver by nature. So if someone has a need and I can fulfill I do. I could care less if they are ripping me off. We all have to answer for it one day anyway. thumbs_up.gif





Very well said. I was getting a little sad with all I was reading, but your comment let me know there are still people like me out there. Thanks

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TexasSugar Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:19am
post #45 of 65

If she has been doing this for 16 years, why doesn't she have most of those items already? My wish list would have bigger and more expensive things on it. Why stop at cake pans and decorating tips and colors. How about an airbrush and a KA and the heavy duty turn tables....

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laneysmom Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:25am
post #46 of 65

I know my husband would be THRILLED if I cleaned out the cake closet and sent this woman some of the things I don't use. He would probably volunteer to personally deliver the box! Maybe that's what she is hoping for. Who wouldn't like to cut start-up costs where they can? It never hurts to ask.

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tigersluv Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:34am
post #47 of 65

I live in Denver and saw this same post not long ago. It is sad that we have to question everything and can't just give with our hearts.

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indydebi Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:39am
post #48 of 65

I'm amazed at the stories you guys have shared about people getting free stuff on CL and then selling it the next or the same day. icon_surprised.gif That must be why I'd make a bad "crook" .... I'm too stupid to think up scams like that. icon_redface.gif

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CakeMommyTX Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 4:02am
post #49 of 65

re-selling free pets is a big problem here in houston (maybe elsewhere as well). people will "adopt" free pets from cl and then turn around and sell them as designer breeds (nice word for mutt) the next day for 100's of dollars.
i've seen "pure breed chowdors" for sell for 350$, turns out it's just a lab and chow mix. i guess if you make up a silly name the price goes up?

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Texas_Rose Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 5:13am
post #50 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by indydebi



But she's about to plunge a buttload of money into opening a legal commercial kitchen and she's begging for free decorating bags? I foresee her being able to keep the "open" sign on for about 20 minutes.




LOL...the way you talk cracks me up...buttload... icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_biggrin.gif

I think she was starting her "bakery" the same way that people start their "daycare"...use the space they already have in their house and worry about the legality of it later, if ever. I've seen people ask for stuff for their new daycare too and that gets me the same way...if you're going to start a business, how can you really plan on doing that without having some money going into it?

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lostincake Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 5:36am
post #51 of 65

very funny indeed

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mjnj Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 5:36am
post #52 of 65

I have been baking/decorating professionally and on my own for 10 years. I have amassed enough supplies to fill 2 kitchens. I have loads of everything this person is asking for. And somebody just gave me a box of really cool vintage cake stuff. But here is my confession: I am seriously considering giving it up.

It sounds crazy even to me when I think of how much time and money and thought I have given to this, but for many reasons, I kind of feel like I need to break up with cakes. The main thing that keeps me holding on is all this stuff. What would I do with it?

Maybe I should call her.

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mjnj Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 5:39am
post #53 of 65

I have been baking/decorating professionally and on my own for 10 years. I have amassed enough supplies to fill 2 kitchens. I have loads of everything this person is asking for. And somebody just gave me a box of really cool vintage cake stuff. But here is my confession: I am seriously considering giving it up.

It sounds crazy even to me when I think of how much time and money and thought I have given to this, but for many reasons, I kind of feel like I need to break up with cakes. The main thing that keeps me holding on is all this stuff. What would I do with it?

Maybe I should call her.

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nelikate Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 7:33am
post #54 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjnj

But here is my confession: I am seriously considering giving it up.




If you are thinking of giving up - dont give away all your stuff until you have had some time away from the cakes. Otherwise you may find yourself buying it all again.

My mother and I could open a craft store with the stuff we have collected over the years, I have boxes of stuff I have given up for now but always intend on going back to.

That old saying: you can have it all just not all at once... But it doesnt hurt to dream a little. icon_smile.gif

Nel

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tazmycat Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 11:52am
post #55 of 65

I do try to help people even (as CarrieBear said) "beggars in the street". I feel that even though I know many are scammers, if something I give touches even one person and makes things a little easier for one minute, then it is truly worth it.

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warmshade Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 12:31pm
post #56 of 65

I worked in Boston for a while and this wasn't while working a big time position I was a low on the totem retail manager. I stopped in the Wendy's in downtown it was Jan. It was cold. I saw three bums on the two sidewalks in front of me. I bought three 1 dollar burgers and handed one to each of them. The third then proceeded to ask me for train fair.
I still try to do good deeds but I am more cautious now.
Come to find out later from a seasoned Boston commuter, there is a bum that sits down by South Station. He looks ragged and worn. He in his late 60's and holds a "My wife and I are homeless" sign. Come to find out at 7 o'clock after all the streets have calmed down he wanders into a parking garage down the street, and climbs into a Lexus and drives to his big old house somewhere on the North Shore.
I hope you don't get out of cakes for good, but if you are going to give your tools and such away make sure you know they'll go to someone that deserves them and will get good use out of them. Rather than just try to make a buck on all your years of hard work.

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notjustcakes Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 1:44pm
post #57 of 65

I think it is sad that there are such scammers out there...and I hate to feel cheated...but I still want to help out homeless folks, etc. What my DH and I have done is to hand out the McDonalds certificates to people begging on the streets...Our church puts together care bags for our congregation to carry in their cars..In theziploc bags are socks, granola bars, bottled water, sample size soaps, shampoo, gift certif. to fast food places and whatever else we happen to have to put in them...If someone approaches my car....LOL...they get a bag o' stuff...no money....I'm not contributing to their delinquency!

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indydebi Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 2:06pm
post #58 of 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by notjustcakes

...Our church puts together care bags for our congregation to carry in their cars..!


that's a really neat idea.

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Carolynlovescake Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 2:55pm
post #59 of 65

There is a gal that posts on my local CL reguarly asking for an airbrush system, and has a list of various supplies she'd like donated to her along with free decorating classes.

I know of at least 25 of my students who have mentioned her and laughed at her when someone mentions her CL add in my class.

They all agree it doesn't hurt to ask but free decorating classes is what they feel was over the top for her. She wants those she will be competitors with to teach her everything they know... for free.

All my students say "I saw this add from this person and we sent her a message giving her your link". I think she e-mailed me once asking if I ever donated class time or teaching for free as a write off. I nicely replied that I do not donate teaching time and that I can not provide her free class instruction because it is against Michael's policy but here are the prices, and here's how to invest the least amount of money to take a class..." She then called the store and said "your teacher said if you ok it I can take the class for free and get free supplies."

I knew it was her because she was focused on air brushing and asking me all kinds of questions and if Michael's carried them and which brand I would purchase from there if I were her. She mentioned twice to the store manager how she wanted to know if they would ever allow me to do a special air brush class for her.

Management and I had a "talk" (they talked, I listened) about the rules and how I can't make an offer like this. I had a copy of the e-mail with me (yes I printed it out because I wanted to show my other WMI that night so she could have a good laugh). When I pulled out my printed copy and showed it to management they apologized for thinking that I'd even say something like that... seriously??? To call a store and lie about what their teacher said to try to get free supplies and a free class???

It takes all kinds to make this world go 'round.

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loriemoms Posted 21 Jul 2009 , 3:56pm
post #60 of 65

I am also in need of items. I could use a little sheet of paper, that has your bank information on it and your signature and my name and a number with a lot of digits in it. I suggest maybe 100,000.00 to start with, but you can add more digits if you like. of course, if you dont have time to write out this paper, you can always hand me some of that green paper that says legal tender on it and has photos of presidents. Allthough I prefer ol Ben Franklin. He should have been president and I kind of fell sorry for him because he wasn't. So you can give me all your Ben Franklin green paper as well.

Thank you for your support

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