More and more people keep telling me I should have a bakery....more people are asking for cakes.........I don't charge....I feel its good practice....how do I know if I am good enough REALLY to open a bakery...please look at my cakes, and don't be afraid to tell me what you think....are they good or are they nothing special....I live in a rural area and you cannot get fondant that I know of except one new place 3o miles from here. Also are you glad you went into business or did it take all the fun out of it? TIA

Ok you are reading this now don't hold back...........say what you think

Should I take no replies as a NO GOOD?

LOL...everyone's probably asleep, Madge

People tell me I should open a bakery too...but no one's handing me the money to do it, even as a loan So for me it's just a dream in the misty future. I also think it would take some of the fun out of it, having to do it, and having to worry about making enough to make a profit.

But yes, I think you've got the skills

Thanks for the reply....lol never thought about them sleeping....hey I was stationed in San Antonio many moons ago at Ft Sam Houston...I was a wac....during VietNam era....

If you are physically, metally and financially ready then go ahead. You have the talents to start it off anyway.

That being said, yes you got skills and definitely good enough.

You're cake skills are there for sure.

But going into business is a whole lot more than cake and icing. You've got to have alot of organization, marketing, inventory skills to go along with your decorating talent.

If a bakery is the path you want to take, don't doubt that if you've got the decorating skills, because you do.

im talking about selling cakes from home. one particular friend says not to do that, to open a bakery!!!!! never yet has she been silenced by the 'i would love to, can you lend me the money?'. she also hasnt offered the money, lol. you need to be able to raise the money and make the well thought out gamble.

actually being able to do cakes is a very small part of having a cake shop. you need to be able to totally control the business side - to follow contracts to the letter, to advertise like no tomoro, to work no matter how sick you are(if non contagious and safe, lol), to be happy with full working days, and no time off.

start writing your business plan, and see how you get on. there is some good advice on the business forum, and online in general about hwo to do that.
xx

Don't know where you are, but in Vermont it's only 10:13 a.m.!

So much to take into consideration, I don't have a biz, but have had other businesses in the past, and it's hard to be your own boss, plus often the only employee!!

good luck.

i think im good enough for family and friends,but to start a business,no,i just think people would expect alot more of me than what im comfortable doing. i like taking my time,and if i mess up,oh well,its just for my family or friends,they would not DARE tell me anything because its free. there are so many bakeries in town also,i just dont think i could compete. how do YOU feel about starting a business? if you feel in your heart your ready,and that you can compete with that one bakery,and you have the money,then go for it!!! good luck on making your decision!

You might want to consider getting a job in a bakery, be it a stand-alone bakery or one in a grocery store. It would give you some excellent experience and perspective before striking out on your own. I've been decorating cakes for over 12 years, and cookies for about 2 or 3. My MIL offered once to give me the money to open my own shop. As much as I liked the idea, I'm enough of a realist to know that I'm not cut out for being an owner. I don't need those headaches, thank you very much! Plus, my MIL had no idea the amount of money I would need to make that little venture possible. She figured maybe a couple thousand....

The lady I take classes from says that she tells her home bakers to work from home as long as you possibly can because the overhead is very high...rent, utilities, supplies, having to be in the shop 6 days a week, and so on and so on. She said that she HAS to make so many cakes per month in order to just pay the bills, let alone make a profit. And you probably know that cake making has its high demand times and its low demand times. Just something to consider. You, however are more than ready if only going by the quality of your decorating!

I appreciate all of the feed back and candid remarks. I once had a dance studio and understand the business end of things......thats what holds me back....I love baking and decorating but ugh the business part I hate........my husband has a business, a rather large one and can help me with that, but I just don't have the confidence I need in my talent.....I see so many better than mine in here that I think what am I thinking.........however in this area, there is no one doing fondant, so there is that to think about...........thanks to all of you for helping

Madge...there will always be someone "better" than you and me on this site. CCers range from novice to extremely experienced and talented. You can NEVER judge your own work by someone elses. Don't let what you see others do stop you from doing your very own, talented creations for other people. Instead, let others help inspire you. That is really what this site is about, inspiring one another to get better at our craft (whether it is a hobby or a living).

One of the things that keeps me baking and decorating is the appreciation of the people I do it for, whether getting paid or not (family)! And every time I succeed in a new technique, my confidence builds up more and more. You make AMAZING cakes...keep at girl! LET your confidence soar! Don't stand in your own way