So, you think you want to own a bakery?

06/15/2009

 

My advice is that you have to follow your own dreams. You can't deny it. But you have to be realistic. As much as it seems like we're busy, busy, busy, our overhead is humongous. You can't be starving artists.

A lot of cake decorators will work hours on a cake, and only get a small amount of money for it. You can't do that.

 

I'm a business man. First and foremost, you need to make money. We'll occasionally do a cake for charity, or there are times when you mess up, but you need to cover yourself, your time, and your expenses.

 

I'm really not the type of guy to turn down work. There are increasing demands, but I don’t want to downgrade on quality. You pick and choose your battles. People come in, and we talk about the ideas. I have cakes with flames coming out of them. We have cakes coming up with live birds. Some of these cakes are $10,000 or $12,000 cakes. They aren't cheap.

 

Your time is money. Your time is important.

To me, it's all about family: nothing more important in life than family. I feel so bad when I'm driving home at 8 or 9 pm, and I feel bad that I’m not with my wife and kids, having dinner every single night.

Those things are the most important – and I appreciate and cherish them. When I was a kid, my dad always sat around the dinner table. I really miss it. Those are the things you want in life, do it. Make that important.

 

You know, people tell me, "Oh, I love to bake." You've got to realize, I own a bakery, I'm not at home on Christmas morning, watching my kids open presents. I’m at work. But I accept that. It’s a way of a life.

 

People ask me all the time if I want my kids in the bakery. I think, yea, I'd love them to carry on the tradition. But do I want them working as hard as I do? Probably not.

 

Every holiday we're at the bakery, and we've never known any different. It hurts me to know that I miss that with my kids, but it pays the bills.

 

Your equipment breaks, the mixer, the fridge... anything that happens is your problem.

As much as I love my employees, they leave at the end of the day. They don’t get the phone calls. My phone doesn’t stop ringing, until I put it on silent or turn it off at the end of the night.

 

And it's not just me. It's any business owner. You own a business, and you instantly become your own accountant, photographer, cleaner, painter, tax adviser...everything. It's not a job. It's a way of life.

 

I love it. I wouldn't do it, if I didn't. 

Comments

[Jaylah McCants]

HI BUDDY,
MY NAME IS JAYLAH MCCANTS AND I AM 12 YRS OLD I BEEN COOKING CAKES SINCES I WAS 4 YRS OLD I REALLY LOVE YOUR SHOW WHEN I GROW UP I AM GOING TO OWN MY OWN BAKERY AND YOU ARE THE REASON WHY I COOK TODAY BECAUSE ONE DAY I WAS WATCHING TV AND I SAW YOUR SHOW AND I SAW THAT YOU WERE HAVING FUN SO I WENT IN THE KITCHEN AND STARTED COOKING AND THAT'S WHEN I REALIZE THAT BAKKING WAS MY TALENT SO I WANT TO TELL YOU THANK YOU AND THAT DREAM MINE IF YOU WRIGHT BACK THANKS BUDDY AND I REALLY DO ADMIRE THAT YOUR BEST FAN JAYLAH

[akinsehinwa adebola]

i need response from you please

[akinsehinwa adebola]

please i will like to a little training with you guys but i based in nigeria.so how do i get to meet you or your place/ i appreciate your work and one to be part of if.

[Heidi]

Hi buddy I would love it if u emailed me I enjoy watch ur show and I tell my baby sister that one day I will be a baker just like u and she tells me that she wants to be one to she is only three and I lover I try and show her that what ever u want u can get as long as u put your mind to it an as long as u work hard

[Kyleigh Walker]

I think that you are an amazing baker, I am thinking about owning a bakery at sixteen or older. Me and my twin sister Makenzie are 13 and we want to call the bakery Mirror Image. You are the inspiration that made us want to create a bakery, thank you so much.
~Kyleigh Walker

[joshua mccarron]

your amazing at cakes i love everything you've done buddy you rock

[Sky Nina]

Hi Buddy, I am a young lady of 25 years and it is always being my dream to own a bakery business, I think i might need your advice and motivation in order to make my dream come true. Please email me. Cheers

[Tara]

Hey buddy,
I love watching from your show. Its entertaining and I love to watch it because there is so much to learn from it; business and bakery wise. I'm a college student pursuing my MBA. One day I want to own my own business.

I know you are a busy man, and if you have anytime to read these, I would love to talk to you about business.

If you (or anyone that knows business) could possibly email me, that would be great.

Thank you,
Tara
tmsk2011@yahoo.com

[Jade]

hi buddy i watch your programm all the time and i have always wanted to open my own cake shop. to watch you make your cakes is amazing and your just a inspiration. i am starting college this year and doing art and bakery as i know that i can make my dream come true thanks.

[Cassi K]

Hi buddy!
You are the best baker and artist I have EVER seen! Everytime you make a cake i don't want to eat it, but just look at it. But... I would probably eat it anyway! Thanks for inspiring me in everything you do!

[kaila]

hey bubby my name is kaila and i am still in high school but would love to talk to you some time please email me

[xcnic87]

Its always important to remember that money is key in business. Time is money and time is important. Its crucial that you stay on track with your big picture in mind. I am doing a project for a class and reading this blog has helped me get a few ideas for the assignment. I am using these principles as a way to learn how social media can help increase brand popularity. I appreciate the insight!

[Michael Eldridge]

hey buddy, my mom has a birthday a couple months away and i just wanted to know if you guys can make a red mustang cake, btw i watch your show all the time and i just made my first fondant cake and it turned out great and i even made my own fondant

[Vanessa Torres]

HI! buddy my name is vanessa i love your show and your cakes i love them i just don't know at what hour the show is.So i like to know at what hour is your show

[Vanessa Torres]

HI! i like to know if you have en bakery in newar nj, because a like a zebra cake for my dougther she gonna have 11 years and she want a party and she want a cake of zebra and she go to the internet in put zebra cakes and she likes one of the cakes you see and she tell me i want that cake mom and i would like to buy her the cakes but i have to know how much it is for i can get the money.her name is Emely and the birthday is in april 18

[Rachael Lynn Waters]

I want to do my own busisess to bake cakes and cookies too.

[Kelly Belanger-McKnight]

Hey Buddy! I am having trouble pricing my cakes, I am constantly told that I am charging way to little for the cakes that I make! I am afraid to insult someone by charging to much, but in my heart I know that they should be more for the amount of time that I am spending on them. I just don t know how much??? Please help me!! :0)

[webdesign]

ya nice blogs

[jacob tomlinson]

i'm going to be 7 years old and i want my cake to be a race car. and i want you to come to my party. i live in michigan. i love your cakes very much.

[Tess]

Hey Buddy!
I love watching your show! You make amazing cakes, it looks like so much fun. I am only 14, but I love making cakes. My dream is to open up a bakery when I'm older. I've made fondant a couple of times, but it never comes out. Also, your frosting looks so creamy and good, and your cakes look really moist and delicious. I was wondering if you could give me your fondant, sponge cake, and/or frosting recipes. Thank you so much!

[julie sanchez]

Buddy I hope you read this blog.I watch you show all the time,and i really really want to be a baker.And whats better than working at Carlos Bakery. the thing is i'm only ten.I guest i have a ways till i have to worry about a job [i also want to be a 2nd grade teacher] but could we start? Also my email won't let me in but people can write i just can't get in but hopefully i'll soon get in, write me anyway please!also do you have a facebook? I don't but maby i can share off my dads. I really love your show and your creativey on how you design your cakes!Please take time to contact me.Another thing you and walmart's bakery are like a cat and mouse totally diffrent[meaning your off the charts).I'm also wanting really bad a cake from you for my birthday coming up next month. i guest we'll see.Also if i could write to you its me so please write me back! Last thing have you ever thought of opening another shop in TN or Ilinois ?

[alisha]

I love watching your show!!! It's like my addiction! haha, i watch all these different baking and cooking shows and i am so amazed by the amazing cakes you guys make, especially yours. I am a freshman in high school, of course planning on going to culinary school. I want to own my own bakery some day, and you are part of the reason. I absolutely love what you do and want to make cakes like that! Everybody apreciates what you do and tahnks you for the memories and joy you and the rest of your bakery crew do. You've inspired me! Thank you!!

[Amesha Sifuentes]

Buddy!! Your show is awesome! I love it and it is a great inspiration for me. If it is the Lord's will, i am going to start my own bakery. I am in the process of learning all of the info that i need to get started and stay successful! Your cake are amazing and that is where my passion lie-baking! i love cooking in general but baking is my heart and so thanks for being an inspiration and allowing those of us who are getting started to watch u. i will visit ur store one day and its will be a dream come true! keep inspiring!!

[Somerset Industries]

Hey Buddy,

You are right, having your own business is a way of life, because it's your livelihood on the line, but you do it well and will continue to do so because you have a grasp on balancing the business aspect with the remainder!!! Congrats on all the successes.

[Sawsan]

I am looking for a cake artist to discuss a business opportunity, if interested please email me at sawsan_ram@hotamil.com