I think the thing is this...to do it successfully, you need an education, whether that is formal, or through the great school of life, it doesn't matter, but you must educate yourself in some manner to be a success. In business, I think to learn as you go is possible, but risky. One wrong decision, and you can lose the whole thing! I don't think the business education has to be the first priority though, in starting out. Without the skill, in this case, cake decorating, you wouldn't have a product!
kimmypooh79 Frequent Member
Joined: Jun 24, 2008
Posts: 277
Location: Middle Tennessee
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:08 pm
Mike1394 wrote:
kimmypooh79 wrote:
Also, If my parents had the resources to send me to college I would have gone. Then as an adult there were bills to pay and I couldn't afford it. I thought about starting last year but my husband and I weighed out the options and decided that his masters was more important as he is the bread winner in the family and it will get him a substantial pay raise. Although at this point I don't know what my major would be.....I really only enjoy working with food (except for the clean up). Lucky for me the only bakery that I know of in my town is in the 2 grocery stores that we have. So don't think I am discrediting everybody's degrees. I just don't like the attitude that you have to have one to be a worthy person or business person. I've had to put up with that attitude from my in laws and I'll be danged if I'll listen to it here, too.
Sorry this is going sound harsh. If you wanted to go to college. Why did the parents have to have the resources? Get a job, and do it yourself.
Mike
summernoelle---well put-short but sweet. Thanks.
Mike--I started working when I was 13 (now 2 b/c my family was lucky to pay the necessary bills. I quit school when I was 16 so that I could work and help my parents out and so I could support myself in terms of food, clothing, extra money, etc., I bought my own car with no help from anyone which got me to/from work. By the time I paid the $200/mo for the car and the $175 a month for ins (even though my record was clean, I was young) there wasn't a lot left over for school. I got my GED and have looked into classes at a community college but my hubby and I can't both go. I have a child to take care of and it makes the most sense at least for now for him to get his masters and work while I take care of the house and our daughter. I only stopped working a year ago b/c we had to move to another town for his job where there aren't many jobs available and we can't afford child care costs. When he is finished then I will look again. So FYI...I've been doing for myself since I was 13. Yes I am upset by your comment b/c you have no idea of my past or current situation and shouldn't make comments on circumstances you know nothing about.
PieceofCakeAZ Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 11, 2005
Posts: 340
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:22 pm
I can't possibly comment on everything in this thread so I will go back to the original post.
No it hasn't always been like this. 8 years ago or so in the Phoenix metro area 2 or 3 new cake companies a year would pop up and usually 1 would cease to exist givng a net +1 or 2 companies a year. In the past 2 years well over 20 companies per year (and by companies I mean people that advertise, have registered company names and/or websites) have popped up and it's showing no sign of slowing down (I have literally learned of 4 new companies in the past 48 hours).
I have never been more thankful that we are established with a great reputation, because I would not want to be a start up cake company in our area right now.
BCJean Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 12, 2007
Posts: 594
Location: California
Birthday: Apr 03
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:31 pm
PieceofCakeAZ,
Do you have any info on how many of these new ones are still in business a year later? We have very few private bakeries here, I thought that was a thing of the past.
bizatchgirl Regular Member
Joined: Mar 18, 2007
Posts: 189
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Birthday: Aug 15
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:48 pm
[/quote]And there is a difference between those who “have no idea what it’s all about” ……. and those who have no idea and they KNOW they have no idea …. so that’s why they’re asking.
Quote:
I think indydebi probably said it best. What a great mediator she is! It's the difference between someone really wanting to learn and someone wanting to just have everything dropped in their lap. I think OP came across too harsh, but everything she said made sense. As a newbie who started out making bday cakes for the fam, I was really interested to hear her point of view. I've been saying for months that I would love to walk into my local cake shop and offer myself up as free labor. I'm glad now that I never did. I wouldn't have been one of the goofballs who expected to just learn for free though, I would have expected to wash dishes, bake the cakes, work the register, take phone orders...and do all the un-fun stuff, just to catch a trick here and there and maybe work my way up to learning some real stuff. Piece of Cake, I'm in Gilbert. You looking for any slaves?
bizatchgirl Regular Member
Joined: Mar 18, 2007
Posts: 189
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Birthday: Aug 15
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:53 pm
ok, so I have no idea how to work the quote thing and put my stuff in quotes instead of indydebi's Also wanted to say...my whole desire to apprentice somewhere is just to learn how to make better cakes for my friends and family. I have no desire to go into business. It would take all of the fun out of cakes! I want make the cakes I want, when I want. I wouldn't have that choice if I were in business. I also KNOW I don't have the business sense.
I think it's sad we have to really walk on eggshells on here now, there is so much offense taken.
I've gotten careful what i say around here, if i wanna vent, i sure don't do it on the open forum anymore, i'll write my cake buds privately...the ones who "get me"....
SHAME on Duff for having his own show and SHAME on Duff for having a show that makes the normal everyday person want to learn how to make cake. I would hope he would never hear all the compaints about his show since he does mention CC on his website as a great place for cake decorating tips
If you dont want people bugging you for info then dont reply. Its as simple as that!
.... So let's end this degree versus no degree. Bottom line is if you're trained well whether with a degree, under someone's direction, or self-taught, there shouldn't be an issue. I am successful with a degree. My father on the other hand was extremely successful with a high school education.
Agree. My father-in-law didn't even have a high school diploma and ran a successful biz for 60 years. I have a cousin who was a high school drop out and is a millionaire and just retired from owning his own car dealerships. But I also know these folks are the exception and not the rule.
I don't have a college degree and I CONSTANTLY tell my kids, "Don't do it the hard way, like I did" and encourage them to get that degree now ... before they have a spouse and kids that will take all of their time and attention.
While I constantly run into college grads who are total idiots (I tell them "You need to call the bursar's office and get a refund if they let you graduate without knowing the basics!"), I also have many, many people who have crossed paths in my life who are smart, degree'd people who have taught me a lot.
Whether it's a life-education or a college education or a series of wilton classes ..... add'l education is never a bad thing.
Going back in History some of our first Presidents didn't make it past 6th grade or less. Ok, I know what some of you are thinking, I'm thinking it too but not saying it
Also, If my parents had the resources to send me to college I would have gone. Then as an adult there were bills to pay and I couldn't afford it. I thought about starting last year but my husband and I weighed out the options and decided that his masters was more important as he is the bread winner in the family and it will get him a substantial pay raise. Although at this point I don't know what my major would be.....I really only enjoy working with food (except for the clean up). Lucky for me the only bakery that I know of in my town is in the 2 grocery stores that we have. So don't think I am discrediting everybody's degrees. I just don't like the attitude that you have to have one to be a worthy person or business person. I've had to put up with that attitude from my in laws and I'll be danged if I'll listen to it here, too.
Sorry this is going sound harsh. If you wanted to go to college. Why did the parents have to have the resources? Get a job, and do it yourself.
Mike
I don't think it's harsh, it's the truth. Sometimes the truth may seem harsh.
Also, If my parents had the resources to send me to college I would have gone. Then as an adult there were bills to pay and I couldn't afford it. I thought about starting last year but my husband and I weighed out the options and decided that his masters was more important as he is the bread winner in the family and it will get him a substantial pay raise. Although at this point I don't know what my major would be.....I really only enjoy working with food (except for the clean up). Lucky for me the only bakery that I know of in my town is in the 2 grocery stores that we have. So don't think I am discrediting everybody's degrees. I just don't like the attitude that you have to have one to be a worthy person or business person. I've had to put up with that attitude from my in laws and I'll be danged if I'll listen to it here, too.
Sorry this is going sound harsh. If you wanted to go to college. Why did the parents have to have the resources? Get a job, and do it yourself.
Mike
summernoelle---well put-short but sweet. Thanks.
Mike--I started working when I was 13 (now 2 b/c my family was lucky to pay the necessary bills. I quit school when I was 16 so that I could work and help my parents out and so I could support myself in terms of food, clothing, extra money, etc., I bought my own car with no help from anyone which got me to/from work. By the time I paid the $200/mo for the car and the $175 a month for ins (even though my record was clean, I was young) there wasn't a lot left over for school. I got my GED and have looked into classes at a community college but my hubby and I can't both go. I have a child to take care of and it makes the most sense at least for now for him to get his masters and work while I take care of the house and our daughter. I only stopped working a year ago b/c we had to move to another town for his job where there aren't many jobs available and we can't afford child care costs. When he is finished then I will look again. So FYI...I've been doing for myself since I was 13. Yes I am upset by your comment b/c you have no idea of my past or current situation and shouldn't make comments on circumstances you know nothing about.
Immy don't be upset. You are a rare story. I know when I read his comment the first thing that came to my mind was that our Daughter always felt we owed her a college education.l We did what we could, I would say 1/2 way. But till to this day she thinks she should have had a free ride via her parents. It was bad enough we went into our 401(k) to help her. Don't even get me started on her Wedding.
My son on the other hand worked very hard to put himself through college. And, has thanked us a million times over for everthing we did.
He went so far as to send us to Las Vagas for a week fully paid with extras. Not neccessary by no means but it still chokes me up thinking about it.
I guess what I'm saying is some kids you can never give/do enough for and some want to stand on their own two feet. You should be proud that you stood on your own.
PieceofCakeAZ,
Do you have any info on how many of these new ones are still in business a year later? We have very few private bakeries here, I thought that was a thing of the past.
I remember way back when that only 1 in 5 businesses suvived. That was before Wal-Mart. I am sure it's less than that now.
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b/c my family was lucky to pay the necessary bills. I quit school when I was 16 so that I could work and help my parents out and so I could support myself in terms of food, clothing, extra money, etc., I bought my own car with no help from anyone which got me to/from work. By the time I paid the $200/mo for the car and the $175 a month for ins (even though my record was clean, I was young) there wasn't a lot left over for school. I got my GED and have looked into classes at a community college but my hubby and I can't both go. I have a child to take care of and it makes the most sense at least for now for him to get his masters and work while I take care of the house and our daughter. I only stopped working a year ago b/c we had to move to another town for his job where there aren't many jobs available and we can't afford child care costs. When he is finished then I will look again. So FYI...I've been doing for myself since I was 13. Yes I am upset by your comment b/c you have no idea of my past or current situation and shouldn't make comments on circumstances you know nothing about.
Also wanted to say...my whole desire to apprentice somewhere is just to learn how to make better cakes for my friends and family. I have no desire to go into business. It would take all of the fun out of cakes! I want make the cakes I want, when I want. I wouldn't have that choice if I were in business. I also KNOW I don't have the business sense.
