Hobby To Business Suck All The Fun?

Decorating By traci_doodle Updated 19 Jun 2011 , 1:17pm by leah_s

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traci_doodle Posted 19 Jun 2011 , 11:55am
post #1 of 3

Cake making is a hobby for me. I can't charge for them because I don't have a separate kitchen (and I'm a student, and I'm renting, so building one's not going to happen), but I'm probably going to move in a year and possibly to a state that allows selling cakes from home. I've toyed with the idea of making my hobby a business. People seem to like my cakes. But I'm wondering, for those of you that went from hobby to business, did that take the joy out of cake decorating? I love seeing the look on my friends' faces when they see their cake. They always seem so appreciative and even shocked that it looks so good (wow, the sides are so smooth!, etc.). Does this go away if you're charging $3 a slice? I just don't think I could stand to see the look of disappointment (or perhaps horror) when they realize their dream cake is way too much money for their budget. Then again, I'm sure I'd burn out quickly if I felt like people were taking advantage of me...

2 replies
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annacakes Posted 19 Jun 2011 , 12:54pm
post #2 of 3

Well, that's exactly what I did.

My main comment would be that once you start the biz it's not just about cake decorating anymore. There is SOOO much more involved.

Setting up the work space to conform to the law. Ordering and securing supplies. FINDING suppliers. Find space for everything. Answering phone calls and emails re: cake orders. Set up the biz bank account. Get a lawyer. Get and pay for insurance. Keep the space REALLY clean. Need enough fridge space - make sure. Pay the bills and keep files on everything. Design the cakes, bake the cakes, decorate the cakes. Think about the biz. day and night. This is the short list.

Actually doing cakes will become such a small part of your week. 80% of the time, it's all about running the biz.

I still really love doing the cakes and have a great sense of accomplishment and pride but my dream of doing beautiful, creative cakes all day long, every day was naive.

Also, you will not get rich doing this.

Anna

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leah_s Posted 19 Jun 2011 , 1:17pm
post #3 of 3

What Anna said. Baking and decorating are minor parts of this biz. Most is accounting, inventory and marketing. But that's the story in pretty much any biz.

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