Avoiding Burn Out!!

Decorating By sugartopped Updated 27 Oct 2005 , 4:07pm by tirby

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sugartopped Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 3:57am
post #1 of 10

just wondering what ya'll do to avoid being burned out!! i LOVE decorating...but guess I'm starting to get stressed out b/c I've been getting ALOT of cake orders!! i'm starting to conquer my whole underpricing thing and sticking to my prices....but haven't learned to say 'NO' yet.......that's why I'm getting all the orders (most of them last minute icon_mad.gif....less than 3 days)

so for the last two weeks as soon as i get home from work (i get off at 12) i immediately start working on a cake. then i pick up my son at 3 and then when my husband gets home at 6.....i go back to decorating until 10-11. its just getting exhausting. i have a cake due on friday for one of my mom's friends and i haven't even started it yet!!! b/c i just finished one yesterday!!! i needed a day off....but now i'm going to be up REALLY late tom night b/c she is picking up the cake in the morning before i go to work!!!

my husband thinks i should take some 'time off' from decorating....but can't b/c i've already committed to do at least one - two cakes a week for the next month!!!

I've been trying to manage my time better.....but still don't ever seem to get a break!!! always have to be making.....flowers, icing, a cake, filling...seems there is ALWAYS something to do for some cake!!! I can't even imagine how everyone else does it w/more kids and who work full-time!! I only work 20hrs/wk and only have a two yr old!!!

How am I going to manage all this if I want to start my home busniess....meeting w/contractos next week!!! icon_eek.gif I don't have any orders for Dec. yet....think I will clear my calendar...NO CAKES!!! Oh, but there are so many fun things you can w/cakes in Dec.!!! icon_confused.gif AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! Guess I'll clear it in Jan.......

9 replies
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FerretDeprived Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 4:20am
post #2 of 10

You could always take orders for only the first 2 weeks or only the 1st week of Decemeber. That way you'll get the week before christmas and christmas week off from cake orders. Just a suggestions if you still want to do one or two cakes for Demember

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SquirrellyCakes Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 4:32am
post #3 of 10

Good idea Ferret Deprived!
Also, tell people that you need at least a week or two notice, because you are working and have a family. Then stick to it!
Hugs Squirrelly

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mamafrogcakes Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 4:43am
post #4 of 10

I can't wait to see the responses you get here! I have had the same experience here recently. The increased cake orders are great but wearing me down! I work full time and every night I'm doing SOMETHING involving cakes!
I was thinking about this today though, would you be happy turning down orders?? I think I would feel bad! Also, I like the experience and each cake brings something new. While I don't want to be the victim of a Kitchen Aid mixer, I still like taking the orders.
What I've told myself is maybe to budget my time a little better and try to plan things better. Maybe bake and make icing plenty of time in advance so that on the day I decorate there is no rush or stress.
One of your added problems is the short notice cakes, are these from people that you could make a blanket statement to, to give you more notice??
Good luck!

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stephanie214 Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 6:04am
post #5 of 10

I feel your pain, I've been getting more orders also.

Delivered one today and have two more due by Friday and one for Monday.

Winnie the Pooh and Spongebob are driving me crazy.

I make up big batches of icing in advance and freeze.

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Mac Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 6:21am
post #6 of 10

Pinkbunny--
I can understand where you are coming from. I enjoy doing cakes but sometimes I want some time away from the kitchen. On Monday I had only one order for THursday. By Tuesday, I had 4 orders for Thursday, 2 orders for Friday and 1 order for Saturday. Not to mention the huge order I have for Monday. I guess I have trouble saying "No", too. But I figure what the hey--I'm baking anyway.

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MrsMissey Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 1:18pm
post #7 of 10

It's hard to say no to a cake order...I have a really hard time with that too! Be careful not to let it take the "fun" out it though!!

During the summer, I actually had to "close" my kitchen for a week just to get a break and catch up on everything....you may want to consider doing that too!

Good luck to you!

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sgirvan Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 3:31pm
post #8 of 10

I haven't had this problem yet, but the thought of this problem has been delaying me with advertising more which is what I want to do. I have been trying to think of ways to help be more organized and this is what I thought of.

For holidays, I was going to offer 3-5 styles of cakes, make some ahead and freeze
Icing I was going to make a few batches and have at least 1 cup of all colors and 5 cups of common colors such as white and then freeze it so I have everything ready. I find that making icing to cover the cake is fine but when I have to color all that I need and split it up etc it takes a lot of time so if I have colors ready done then that should save time.

For basic cakes and shapes, I want to have at least 1 in the freezer at all times as well.

Once a week I will recheck my inventory and replenish as needed, remember to date your stuff in the freezer to keep as fresh as possible. Making stuff on my day off will hopefully help me keep sane and in control.

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peacockplace Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 3:40pm
post #9 of 10

I was going cake crazy until I got pregnant! I could barely get my kitchen cleaned! When the morning sickness hit I was forced to "shut down" for almost two months. Things are still a little slow because not every one knows I up and working again. But in the beginning it was so hard to say no to people. I remember vomiting five times during a john deer cake I was making. I cried the whole way through and my hubby said that was enough. He's the one that made me stop. The point is it's hard to take time for yourself. Sometimes it takes someone stepping in to make you see you need to take care of yourself too. Make sure not to overschedule your Holidays! That's precious time you'll never get back. When the kids are grown you won't care about the extra dollars you made, but you'll regret not having the time to savor the season. HTH icon_biggrin.gif

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tirby Posted 27 Oct 2005 , 4:07pm
post #10 of 10

I just turned down a cake last night and it felt good! Not to turn them down but to say "family comes first" in a way.
I have only two cakes before Christmas and I am just not even taking orders untill January first. I LOVE TO PLAY with cakes, but I have a life and homeschool my kids. As a stay home mom and one income family the extra $ is nice but not at a price greater than the cake is worth. My two older sons are coming home from collage for Christmas and I want to spend time with them. Most people TRULY understand. If they don't well I can't please the whole world!
In short. I can always make another cake another time, but I can not turn back the hands of time or stop them and raise my kids later.
Think about it!

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