tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post3562015494939227507..comments2024-01-24T05:06:12.343-05:00Comments on Stacey's Sweet Shop - Truly Custom Cakery, LLC: The Highlight ReelStacey - Truly Custom Cakery, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06351161758742915932noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-33139127469636766282012-02-27T04:30:42.709-05:002012-02-27T04:30:42.709-05:00My goodness! I don't even know you and I like...My goodness! I don't even know you and I like you! I came across your Romeo & Juliet cake (and fell in love with it!!) and ended up at your blog. I like your work, I like that you are a professing Christian, and I like that you are so honest! I am at a crossroad also - I feel like I could have written that post! I raise my prices and I lose customers but I just can't spend 6-8 hours on a $75 cake anymore! It's not fair to my family. For me, I have to keep it small and at home until the kids get older. Even though I'm just itching to branch out! But I know one thing for sure, at the end of my life I am not going to regret lost cake opportunities but I will regret lost time spent with my kids when they wanted and needed me. It's obvious you have the talent and more, it just may be a matter of timing. May God make your path clear to you.Val at Val's Custom Cakeshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/valscustomcakes/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-12427168023649135722012-02-22T09:25:52.332-05:002012-02-22T09:25:52.332-05:00Reading your post made me realize I'm not alon...Reading your post made me realize I'm not alone. I'm not alone in feeling that I'm not good enough. Not alone in not knowing where to take this cake stuff. And there is comfort in knowing you're not the only one who feels this way.<br /><br />Thank you for being so open, honest and transparent about your business and your struggles. This always brings me peace.<br /><br />"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."<br />-Proverbs 3:5-6Kerryhttp://allkindsofsugar.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-56432986573316588942012-01-19T15:31:47.433-05:002012-01-19T15:31:47.433-05:00I am in the same predicament right now. The differ...I am in the same predicament right now. The difference is I already found a small space (209 sq ft) and opened a retail storefront. The rent was inexpensive because I can't bake there, only sell.<br /><br />Everything was fantastic in the beginning, lots of business, lots of very excited people because of the novelty I guess. I had already established myself with decorated cakes for 2 1/2 years out of the baking kitchen we added on to my house, so my clientele base just shifted over to the store. Plus all the extra people that "discovered" me now that they could see me.<br /><br />Well here I am 6 months later, wondering if I should renew my lease next month. I am tired, worn out really, and financially no farther ahead than I was when I was at home taking orders over the phone and internet due to all the extra costs of having the storefront.<br /><br />Plus (and this makes me VERY sad) my creativity is gone. Production level with decorated cakes and cookies is NO FUN. I have lost count of the late nights, alone in my kitchen crying with an early morning deadline looming with several orders still yet to finish. I am sorry to say I am beginning to HATE cakes.<br /><br />I don't have any help, so I am basically being run ragged trying to keep up with everything. I tried having help, but the reason I became successful at this in the first place was because of my high quality. The people that want to help don't have the skills and standards I have or else they would be doing their own thing. It truly is a Catch 22.<br /><br />I miss my family, I feel guilty for all they have sacrificed with me devoting myself to this business so much.<br /><br />SIGH. And for what? <br /><br />It's tough deciding when everyone wants what you have, but in the end you have to decide how much is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-52593559234304185722012-01-18T17:23:36.967-05:002012-01-18T17:23:36.967-05:00wow! i think you took the insecurties right out of...wow! i think you took the insecurties right out of my motuh!! i get asked that same question all the time! why don't you open your own shop!?! your so brave for putting it all out there in your post! you inspire me to raise my bottom price and believe that YESS my work is worth it...THANK YOU!!<br />caseyssweetcreations.blogspot.comCasey's Sweet Creationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15215215893500734219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-88602271422013114802012-01-18T14:10:25.479-05:002012-01-18T14:10:25.479-05:00Stacey,
Thank you so much for your comments today...Stacey,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your comments today on your blog. I really really needed to read this today. I too have a small cake business and also teach Wilton cake classes. I go back and forth sometimes when I have busy periods on whether to teach or just focus on my small business. Thank you again.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01964215735614475580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-33841136368029413102012-01-18T13:36:19.721-05:002012-01-18T13:36:19.721-05:00I'm a fan of yours who found you through Cake ...I'm a fan of yours who found you through Cake Central's website. I keep hoping I'm going to see YOUR creations on Food Network's Cake CHALLENGE or other such shows. :) You are very talented & I hope to grow up to be like you. (I'm 41 btw) ha! Thanks for sharing your talent, and your dreams, and your fears with us. Praying for you.LisaLounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-82215732286014225092012-01-18T13:17:38.322-05:002012-01-18T13:17:38.322-05:00Stacey,
I feel like i could have written this post...Stacey,<br />I feel like i could have written this post myself.I'm also in PA and i've been struggling with the same kind of feelings and "What If's".I'm my own worst critique.I just recently raised my prices for the very same reasons you've written.I think alot of these cake shows out there make it seem like it's so easy to do what we do getting people to think we can just whip together a sculpted cake within an hours time.Our time is valuable.I have always been a huge admirer of your work.Whatever it is you decide to do i think you will succeed at it. :)Mandy McQuillishttp://www.facebook.com/SugaranSpiceCakerynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-7120191384876835682012-01-18T12:47:26.596-05:002012-01-18T12:47:26.596-05:00Thanks Cara! I needed that.Thanks Cara! I needed that.Stacey - Truly Custom Cakery, LLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06351161758742915932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-81297777669302478192012-01-18T12:46:44.043-05:002012-01-18T12:46:44.043-05:00Thanks so much Kristie! You'll always be an in...Thanks so much Kristie! You'll always be an inspiration to me with your "get it done with a smile attitude". You never give up even when things seem so bleak and each and every time, you overcome. I love you!Stacey - Truly Custom Cakery, LLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06351161758742915932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-33684995081642150842012-01-18T12:41:47.172-05:002012-01-18T12:41:47.172-05:00Awww you are so very welcome Stacey! You are so de...Awww you are so very welcome Stacey! You are so dear to me and I TRULY believe with every ounce of my being that you are AS TALENTED, if not more, as the other cake decoraters out there. When I see your gorgeous creations, I just smile. You deserve success Stacey! Don't doubt it! Say it in the mirror if you have to "I am GIFTED at this, I deserve success!" Then jump! You can do this girlie, it's your gift! Love you too:)Kristie Wootenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01342631672765486077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-4241164741728703682012-01-18T12:26:36.671-05:002012-01-18T12:26:36.671-05:00I have to tell you that the second I saw that you ...I have to tell you that the second I saw that you were a believer in Jesus Christ, I knew what I needed to say to you. God has given you an amazing talent that you have recognized & already put to good use. Your creations are your way in blessing others through the blessings God has given to you. In these times, fear & anxiety are almost a disease! But if we let fear rule us, we will remain contained & may never realize our full potential that God has planned for us! We can also miss out on huge opportunities for success. So, instead, blast through those feelings & trust that God will lead you & be faithful to you for sharing your talents. He will give you the wisdom you need & caution you when the need arises because above all else, He gave you this talent to help you succeed! Your creations never cease to impress me, inspire me, & give me something to smile about. Stay confident Royal Princess! Whatever you decide to do, it is obvious you will make it a huge success! God bless you & your business! ~CaRa (a stay-at-home Mom who makes cakes for fun on a much smaller scale). ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-85118371273074780602012-01-18T11:42:56.168-05:002012-01-18T11:42:56.168-05:00Thank You all so much. The struggle within is some...Thank You all so much. The struggle within is sometimes our worst enemy. I am so very appreciative of your support, understanding, and to Kelly, your friendship.Stacey - Truly Custom Cakery, LLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06351161758742915932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-72045375117601906982012-01-18T11:37:31.144-05:002012-01-18T11:37:31.144-05:00Great post Stacey! I have to say that, as someone ...Great post Stacey! I have to say that, as someone looking at you from the outside, I have continually been impressed by what you are doing and how you are doing it. Very professional, confidant, and, always, the emphasis on quality. If you hadn't written this post, I would have never known all of the doubts and questions that you go through. Your friend was so right in saying that we only see the highlight reel of peoples' lives, but you have had some excellent highlights and I expect to see many more of them from you going forward. I am thrilled to have known the before "Truly Custom Cakery" Stacey and still can call you a friend now. Lol...I feel like I know a celebrity! Keep doing what you are doing because you are doing a great job!Kelly Szenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-58038976529516574412012-01-18T11:24:56.998-05:002012-01-18T11:24:56.998-05:00Your work is so beautiful! I think everyone, no ma...Your work is so beautiful! I think everyone, no matter what their field is, struggles with this. I wish you all the best.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07874897254332872367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6764333587019478859.post-78505941127943563052012-01-18T11:05:45.942-05:002012-01-18T11:05:45.942-05:00Wow, this is a great post - I have a small cake/cu...Wow, this is a great post - I have a small cake/cupcake business I'm trying to get started out of my home (on the side at present) and can't tell you the insecurities I struggle with constantly. And the "What ifs" or the "Should I's?". So to hear someone such as yourself who's been at this longer than I asking the same questions and struggling with issues I wonder about - it's appreciated to have you share your heart! Thank you!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672310049888274085noreply@blogger.com