I gave up any ideas of continuing a cake business. I just couldn't keep up with the demands of licensing and was tired of giving up every single weekend. Has anyone else made the transition from business-to-hobbyist? And if so, can I ask why? Just looking for others in the same boat

After 45 years I was forced into retirement because of ill health. Since retiring I seemed to have come to enjoy decorating even more. I decorate only for fun for family and friends.
I have been given the gift of time to putter about and learn some new techniques.
The standing joke for me since becoming disabled is that the wedding cake that I decorated in 30 minutes now would take me 3 days, but I would have three times as much fun doing it!

I'm hoping that is my experience as well. I'm already feeling the relief thinking about doing "no pressure" cakes for friends & family. I've had people beg me to keep them as clients, that felt good, but not so good I'm going to keep doing it. I have such respect & admiration for those who do this as a business. It is quite the endeavor

I left my shop behind with out a second thought when I met hubby. I knew it would be in capable hands as the other co-owners were girls I grew up with who loved it as much as I did.

I also had a full time job and walked from that.

I'd known him via the internet for 2 years but met him on May 15th and was moving down to be with him on June first... we just had our 11th anniversary.

I didn't so much as bake a cake for the better part of 8 years. I was burned out. Our daughter came along and I became a WMI so I could work part time and be home full time.

Being a WMI is the closest I will ever return to being in "the industry" outside of being a hobby baker. I loved it but I love my family more. I want to spend time with them and being a business owner would not allow me that luxury, especially in the baking/food industry.

Carolyn - your story is very encouraging to me. I need to hear that right now, since giving it up was very bittersweet. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family too. I was up all night at times and exhausted the next day and missing out on so much, for not near enough pay to justify it. I really respect those who operate a cake business, but it's just not for me.

I'm looking forward to doing cakes for fun. I really enjoy doing them as gifts and surprising people. My neighbor just graduated from nursing school and I've been looking for ideas for her. It's so nice to do it as a no-pressure endeavor.

I had a business until we moved to New Jersey two years ago. Home based food businesses are illegal here. I really miss having my business, but as a kosher company I didn't have to work Saturdays. I don't know how much that changes things!

Kathi

Severe arthritis in my neck forced me to decide if I would take care of my neck now .... or severely pay for it later. Catering is hot, hard, heavy work. You folks know what it's like to be on your feet and working on cakes for all hours of the week/weekend. Add to that 3 events to feed 100-200 people EACH; lifting cases and cases of canned veggies, 40# boxes of chicken and loading/unloading a van FULL of heavy catering equipment ... twice in one night. Times 3 if I had multiple bookings.

I miss the creativity I had every week, but I don't miss the hot hard heavy work.

I also never realized how much it took to shut down a business. It's almost easier to start one!

I began a new life adventure .... going to school full time to get a history teaching degree. Loving school so much I may becomea career student until people have to call me Dr. Debi!

I'm not a hobbyist; never have been. However, having my business completely destroyed 3 months ago gave me an opportunity to reaffirm how I wanted to conduct it. I started from home, went to commercial buildings, and now have returned to my roots. We found a great location in a commercial/residential part of downtown (in a 100 year old Victorian house). It has been completely updated and includes a second floor that was converted to an apartment. This configuration is a win-win; the business is separate from the living space; yet I get to operate and live in the same building!! As soon as we sell our house we'll probably buy the Victorian!! I am excited about the future once again. If everything goes as planned we hope to reopen on July 10 with a small grand opening celebration!! You're all invited!!

DDiva- Congratulations on your new location!!! It sounds like all the best is ahead of you!!!

I baked/decorated professionally, but didn't own my own shoppe and have gone back to being a hobbyist. It's so nice to feel like baking and decorating is a treat again My last job was in a large scale pastry kitchen and all joy and pride was really removed... it felt more like working in a factory! I had gotten to the point where I didn't even want to cook or go in the kitchen when I got home- now I'm back to happily baking and caking for family and fun

Wow that is fantastic news Ddiva, please post pics, when you are set up. Will keep my fingers craossed for you, that all will work out to your benefit