I was wondering if anyone would help me as I feel a bit confused.  I am stuck in a dead end job working 7,30am-4pm every day mon-fri.  My local cake decorating shop is selling her shop as she is retiring.   I have always fantasised about having my own business but never thought of a cake decorating shop.  does anyone have any advise on the hours you must work each day in order to make  a living?  also, I have a child who I don't want to lose out on my time with him.  there will also be sports days / plays at school.  how do you juggle a shop with these?

AThe hours that the shop is open, hours before and after getting the place prepped and cleaned up afterwards, plus all the hours required at home doing paperwork - the hours it would take to be profitable would be dependent on the business itself, but if spending more time at home is your goal, owning a cake shop isn't the way to get there.

Unless of course the business is already running profitably without the owner needing to ever be there, but you could buy any business if your plan is to not actually be hands on.

AIf you plan on doing this yourself count on working at least twice as many hours as you are now, probably for less money than you are currently making. A business plan and a good-sized startup fund are a must.

AI have a friend that has a hair and beauty business, she has three small kids and has NO time for them- and I mean absolutely no time. Everybody else shoulders the responsibility of having the kids whilst she looks after the business, you have to think to yourself do you want to miss out on your child's upbringing? You can always plan to open up a business in the future but you can't relive your experiences with your kid again. Whatever you decide good luck and I wish you the best :-)

Could you do an online shop? You would have more freedom in terms of when you work, but you would still have to put the time in. You would need a large inventory right from the get go though, which is very expensive. You could run it from home if you have space, or rent a small warehouse type property - cheaper than a high street shop. I would worry about the competition in the UK though - lots of very very good online shops for cake decorating so you would really have to stand out to get the traffic through your website. Also, it's so easy to buy online nowadays that I wonder if it's advantagous (sp?) actually having a physical shop. All food for thought!

Thanks everyone for your advice.  After thinking this through, I am going to have to put my child first :)

AAwwww, good luck with everything!!

AI started a at home business because I didn't want to leave my 1 year old daughter to go back to work.... I usually bake during the day and decorate at night while she's sleeping... But I'm also up until sometimes 4 in the morning depending on details on my cake.... People usually want cakes on the weekends and that can be kind of a down fall too... But I love working from home cause I'm with my daughter!! Best of luck to you on your journey :)

I too run a home based business.I bake at the rental kitchen usually wed/Thursday and decorate Fridays...I have 2 kids...12 and 10 and I usually do all my prep work etc while they are in school...

I wouldn't have it any other way....I tried going back to work last summer.I worked at Sobey's in the bakery decorating cakes.I worked 30 hours a week and made $12.00 and hour..I never saw my kids and was tired all the time...My family life definitely suffered.Having my own business on my own hours is great!!I work when they are in school and still am able to be home for them and do all the activities etc...