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Please save me from the depths of despair.

post #1 of 18
Thread Starter 
*sigh*

I don't know where to begin. I think I'm just looking for support, advice, a listening ear.

Today I found out that it's illegal here (Los Angeles county...not sure about other counties in CA) to rent a restaurant/catering kitchen so that I can at least accept some money for my cakes.

I accepted the fact that I couldn't accept any money by making a cake at home, so I thought my next logical step was to find a kitchen that I could rent. I found one today, I was getting really excited, only to find out that it's no longer allowed. The Los Angeles HD apparently changed the rules a few months ago. A kitchen incubator just doesn't make sense financially due to the cost (they run about $25/hr) and I don't think I could do EVERYTHING from start to finish in only a few hours and still make a little money.

When I spoke to the HD they told me my only option is to start my own business. I know I'm not ready for that yet. I have 2 small children, and I can't devote all the time a business would require. At the same time, I just can't see myself giving away free cakes for the next several years until we maybe open up a business.

I'm just so exasperated. I don't know what to do. I feel very defeated, and it has taken a toll on my mood today. I just feel so helpless, so down.

Thanks for listening.
post #2 of 18
Hi Nancy, I'm new here but I just wanted to send hugs your way. That sucks. Hopefully you'll find some way around it. Good luck,
Rosie

Hooked on Cakin' works for me!!
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Rosie

Hooked on Cakin' works for me!!
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post #3 of 18
Sorry to hear that, Do you want to move to Ohio where we have snow for 6 months out of the year? YUCK, I want to go South myself. We can work out of our homes though.


I wanted to add, enjoy those babies, cakes will always be here they won't. I know I raised my children and then helped raise my Grandsons for ten years and time flies with their lives as well as ours.
post #4 of 18
Nancy,

That's a shame. I wonder why they won't let you rent time in someone else's kitchen? If the kitchen is licensed, what does it matter? I mean, in IL we have to be individually licensed and take a food safety course, but a commercial kitchen can be licensed to multiple entities.

I'm sorry though. It is so hard to find our dreams so much farther away than we hope for.
post #5 of 18
It really smarts to hit the brick wall.
It really helps to turn your energies elsewhere.

The cool thing about doing cakes is that you can always do a cake anyhow--it doesn't have to be for money. As opposed to say for example brain surgery--you can't to that without the license & operating room, some assorted nurses etc. not to mention a willing brain.

Cakes, an oven & a turntable (or not, Jennifer! icon_smile.gif ) and away you go.

I might have said this here recently but I'll risk repeating myself~~I did a cake, a very cool cake I might add for my son's girlfriend's birthday~~people were saying ooh do you have a business card etc.--and I din have any cards with me 'cause I don't have a business for similar reasons as yours~~I said,

"You can't buy a cake like this--I gotta love yah."

And another thing is that you can let your creative juices bubble up and overflow--the sky's the limit.

Ices will be in San Diego next year--start planning a display.
Christmas is around the corner get a gingerbread something going.
Halloween this month--make a pumpkin cake with ganache--mmm
Do a decorative bread display for Thanksgiving.

I'll tell yah what I got planned for my gingerbread this year--mind you I don't always get them actually made--but I do plan something. Keeping that part of your brain occupied with some project really helps --really.

So I'm planning on doing the Ponte Rialto (bridge) that's over the Grand Canal in Venice with a Baby Jesus & angel theme.

It really helps to keep planning stuff--believe me.

It'll be ok. It might not ever be a business but it'll be ok.

Maybe you could find a part time bakery gig--work it into some decorating.
 
 

 

 

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post #6 of 18
K8memphis
Quote:
Quote:

Maybe you could find a part time bakery gig--work it into some decorating.



This was the exact advice I was going to give. I am from CA as well and I understand this same frustration but I have 2 small kids right now but I cant wait till my 2 year old starts preschool. I will be out knocking on doors just to get the experience. Work for someone else and let them stress out about the bills and all the stress that come with it. icon_smile.gif
If you plant the little seeds on top of a hamburger, will it grow hamburgers? Hailey 3 yrs.
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If you plant the little seeds on top of a hamburger, will it grow hamburgers? Hailey 3 yrs.
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post #7 of 18
That's awful, MrsNancyB. I hope you find a way to keep doing what you love and making your beautiful cakes.

K8Memphis, I love your perspective! Thanks for sharing.

Quote:
Quote:

You can't buy a cake like this--I gotta love yah."
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Plato

http://letsgetcaking.blogspot.com/
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"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Plato

http://letsgetcaking.blogspot.com/
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post #8 of 18
Its only going to get worse as government growws bigger n bigger. Its assanine.
Having said that..I agree with the earlier poster who said enjoy your babies. Bake for the family and yourself and you only get better and better. The kids grow up way too fast. I can understand disappointment......but count your blessings. Be happy
post #9 of 18
Your post caught my eye, and first I was like this really sucks because Im from LA county, and I had recently been thinking of renting a kitchen. Then I happened to glance at your location and realized you are about ten miles away...I live over in Canyon Country. Im in sort of the same boat, I love love cakes, but Im a full time student and work a lot and dont have the financial means or time to start a business. For now my cakes are free, well the labor, Im a student I couldnt afford to make a DH cake let alone scratch. But it kills me there is really only two cake places out here. Well best of luck to you...
~Kacie~

GO USC!

"It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a thousand times than to believe a fact that one has never heard before"
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~Kacie~

GO USC!

"It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a thousand times than to believe a fact that one has never heard before"
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post #10 of 18
Hello my fellow Californians!! I'm from Orange County. Unfortunately the law is for the whole state not just LA County. icon_sad.gif Have you ever thought of going to churches and see if you could rent their ovens. A friend of mine rents a pizza oven in the morning to bake her cakes and cookies. Just a thought. icon_smile.gif
post #11 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by annegirlca

Hello my fellow Californians!! I'm from Orange County. Unfortunately the law is for the whole state not just LA County. icon_sad.gif Have you ever thought of going to churches and see if you could rent their ovens. A friend of mine rents a pizza oven in the morning to bake her cakes and cookies. Just a thought. icon_smile.gif

It's my understanding that its not just about the baking. I dont think it is legal to bake your cakes one place and finish them at another, but I could be wrong.
If you plant the little seeds on top of a hamburger, will it grow hamburgers? Hailey 3 yrs.
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If you plant the little seeds on top of a hamburger, will it grow hamburgers? Hailey 3 yrs.
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post #12 of 18
I hear different things about that. My friend who bakes in a pizza kitchen has her business license and says it is legal to bake in a "legal" kitchen and decorate somewhere else. I'm still investigating that. icon_smile.gif
post #13 of 18
Sorry to hear that - you must be very disappointed. icon_sad.gif
What about making dummy cakes only, just for a few years? There seems to be a market for these - you could make them to order, or rent them out..?
- Natalie
"Blessed are the cheesemakers?"
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- Natalie
"Blessed are the cheesemakers?"
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post #14 of 18
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so down. icon_sad.gif I send out my biggest hugs to you and wrap you in all sorts of CC love and comfort. That being said, don't forget to keep your creative juices flowing just like K8 said. Don't let crappy gov't rules bring down the creative light inside you. Work within the boundaries you have now, and if you really feel strongly about this issue, band together with some other would-be home or renter bakers and see what you can do to petition a change.

By the way K8, that bridge sounds fantastic!!
post #15 of 18
OK K8, I just googled that bridge and I'm going to insist on pictures if you actually make it. Holy cow!! icon_smile.gif Sorry to derail, just had to OMG. icon_smile.gif
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