I'm sure you've all seen memes before. If you aren't sure, you probably have. They are the little pictures all over social media with sayings on them, and they are usually funny. There is a series of them that I have come across called "caker problems." Since it's easy to become frustrated or irritated, I try to laugh things off instead. Seeing these baking memes is a great reminder that I am not the only one feeling or experiencing some of these business things...so it makes laughing it off a lot easier. So I thought I would share some of them with you since I find them highly relatable!
This group of memes all have the same theme and I love them all because it is such a common issue for small business owners...money! I have done a blog post in the past talking about how the cost of a product is sooo much more than the butter, sugar, and flour that goes into it...so I'll try not to turn this into a rant.
Problem #7 is so true when it comes to doing a cake you've never done before. I love, love, love getting the chances to do new designs or something more elaborate that I normally don't get the chance to do....but they do come at a price (to me). Doing something you've never done before always takes longer, can take more supplies, may even require more than one shot at doing part of it...which means you don't make money on it. But some of the best experiences and cakes do come from these situations.
Problem #26- Ahhh yes.....if I got paid for every inquiry, question, quote, time I spent figuring things out I would have a lot more money right now! But the truth of the matter is, not every quote leads to an order, and sometimes I have to put a lot of time and effort into orders before the orders ever get placed (if they get placed). But again, most of the time it is completely worth it. For the times it's not....well, I guess I just have to laugh, right? (Sometimes a little frustrated UGH! is called for) I put a lot of time and effort into making sure I give the customer what they are looking for and I hope everyone can see that.
Problem #11-This is kind of the same thing as the others. There's a lot that goes into running a business-it's not just throwing ingredients into a bowl and abracadabra a cake and profits pop out.
Problem #17- Always a bummer! I'll get an order that is super exciting or sounds extra fun to create...only to get the bomb dropped on me that I can't possibly do the order for the amount of money the person wants to spend. I am not a big box store and cannot survive as a business if I try competing with their prices. I just can't do it; sorry!
Problem #7 is so true when it comes to doing a cake you've never done before. I love, love, love getting the chances to do new designs or something more elaborate that I normally don't get the chance to do....but they do come at a price (to me). Doing something you've never done before always takes longer, can take more supplies, may even require more than one shot at doing part of it...which means you don't make money on it. But some of the best experiences and cakes do come from these situations.
Problem #26- Ahhh yes.....if I got paid for every inquiry, question, quote, time I spent figuring things out I would have a lot more money right now! But the truth of the matter is, not every quote leads to an order, and sometimes I have to put a lot of time and effort into orders before the orders ever get placed (if they get placed). But again, most of the time it is completely worth it. For the times it's not....well, I guess I just have to laugh, right? (Sometimes a little frustrated UGH! is called for) I put a lot of time and effort into making sure I give the customer what they are looking for and I hope everyone can see that.
Problem #11-This is kind of the same thing as the others. There's a lot that goes into running a business-it's not just throwing ingredients into a bowl and abracadabra a cake and profits pop out.
Problem #17- Always a bummer! I'll get an order that is super exciting or sounds extra fun to create...only to get the bomb dropped on me that I can't possibly do the order for the amount of money the person wants to spend. I am not a big box store and cannot survive as a business if I try competing with their prices. I just can't do it; sorry!
Problem #14 Oh I love this one so much! I try my very best to fit in last minute orders, but it's not always possible and is becoming more difficult as time goes on...especially if I want to keep my sanity. It is especially not possible when the last minute order is for a tiered cake. Tiered cakes take a lot more time and material than a regular cake. People may think....well it's just three cakes put together, what's the big deal? Wrong! Tiered cakes take a lot longer due to structure, assembly, and decorating. And one thing customers often don't know about (cake or tiered cake-applies to both) is that a cake needs to rest. I can't just bake a cake and frost it in an hour. There are many hours in between the baking and decorating that need to take place to ensure proper settling.
Another one of my favorites is...."I just need something small...like three tiers" or "I want something like this three tiered cake....it's a small party; only need to feed 24 people." A three tiered cake is by no means small...it is a full blown wedding cake. In fact, it's the biggest cake size I do. I hardly ever have people wanting wedding cakes anymore, (almost all cupcake weddings) so I don't invest in everything it takes to do larger than three tiers (more pans, supports, boxes, etc). So being that a three tiered cake is essentially a wedding cake... you are for sure going to feed more than 24 people...which means you have to pay to feed more than 24 people. Thankfully, I do have a solution for the people who want the look of big cake with a smaller serving size (and price). Fake cake! Fake cakes are actually very fun and can add some wow to a party (or wedding) without the cost. I can make some (or all) of a cake out of styrofoam tiers and either do one tier to serve guests, cut for a wedding, and/or feed guests with the cheaper option (cupcakes).
Another one of my favorites is...."I just need something small...like three tiers" or "I want something like this three tiered cake....it's a small party; only need to feed 24 people." A three tiered cake is by no means small...it is a full blown wedding cake. In fact, it's the biggest cake size I do. I hardly ever have people wanting wedding cakes anymore, (almost all cupcake weddings) so I don't invest in everything it takes to do larger than three tiers (more pans, supports, boxes, etc). So being that a three tiered cake is essentially a wedding cake... you are for sure going to feed more than 24 people...which means you have to pay to feed more than 24 people. Thankfully, I do have a solution for the people who want the look of big cake with a smaller serving size (and price). Fake cake! Fake cakes are actually very fun and can add some wow to a party (or wedding) without the cost. I can make some (or all) of a cake out of styrofoam tiers and either do one tier to serve guests, cut for a wedding, and/or feed guests with the cheaper option (cupcakes).
Problem #32- Not much to say about this one besides....ugh!!! Yes!! It never fails. This always happens to me on my open days. I'll be in the back, exhausted from the open day cupcakes, filling the weekend orders and I'll get to finishing the last order.....and run out of frosting. So then the process starts all over again...make frosting...do dishes...finish order. So frustrating when you are on a decorating roll or have had a long day and are oh so close to finishing!
Problem #20- This one is very hard for me. Of course it would be nice to give everyone discounts, but I just can't. If I gave all family members, friends, and acquaintances discounts, Steph's Sweet Treats would go under in a hurry. I'm sorry, but unless you are my immediate family (mom, dad, in-laws, godson) I have to charge you like every other customer. If this offends you, or makes you mad, then please do not ever feel obligated to order from me just because you know me or because you are a family member. Expecting a discount is not a way to get on my good side. At the same time, if I am invited to a baby shower or something, I am more than happy to make my gift be the dessert (within reason). And I will ALWAYS have my nieces, nephews, and godson's birthday presents include cake/cupcakes. This is something I love doing and has become special to me. But again, just because they are family does not mean I expect them to ask me to bake something (I promise not to be offended if I don't get asked!) -just like I wouldn't want someone to expect a discount out of me.
Problem #46- Bummer! This seems to happen when I am the most excited about something...or just completed a cake I've never done before and are so excited about the turnout you can barely contain yourself. Since I am excited, I want the customer to jump up and down just like I am....but instead their reaction is "thanks" or "looks good." Sure sometimes this is over an email or text so they could truly be more excited and it's just not translating through the message...but still...such a bummer! I like when I get the ALL CAPS and exclamation marks...or literal jumping up and down and clapping is good too!
I hope these made you giggle! It's good to relate to situations and know you are not alone. I'm sure there are similar situation that apply to every occupations. Some specific ones I know there are for sure memes for include: teacher, nurse, and stay-at-home moms. If you are one of these and want to release your frustrations or get a good giggle, Google them!
Thanks for another week of orders!!
Problem #46- Bummer! This seems to happen when I am the most excited about something...or just completed a cake I've never done before and are so excited about the turnout you can barely contain yourself. Since I am excited, I want the customer to jump up and down just like I am....but instead their reaction is "thanks" or "looks good." Sure sometimes this is over an email or text so they could truly be more excited and it's just not translating through the message...but still...such a bummer! I like when I get the ALL CAPS and exclamation marks...or literal jumping up and down and clapping is good too!
I hope these made you giggle! It's good to relate to situations and know you are not alone. I'm sure there are similar situation that apply to every occupations. Some specific ones I know there are for sure memes for include: teacher, nurse, and stay-at-home moms. If you are one of these and want to release your frustrations or get a good giggle, Google them!
Thanks for another week of orders!!
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