Friday, January 29, 2010

Cool people who aren’t chicken like me

 

There’s this little idea about a home dessert business that’s been bouncing around in my head.  I’m a little scared about the whole thing, but have realized how many of my friends and relatives have done their own thing and done it well. 

Here are a few:

Ryan’s mom, Karen, has a website (http://maddiekaycreations.bigcartel.com/ )where she sells home-crafted pieces of decor, apparel, and these cute cute dolls:

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If you go there, you’ll notice that there is an Emma doll and a Jane doll, that look a little bit like them!  My mother was here at Christmas when they opened their dolls and was commenting on how well made and darling they were.  Go check them out for a sweet present for a little girl you know.

 

Randi is my friend and photographer extraordinaire.  Here are a few of my own family and here is her website where you can see more of her work:  http://mphotoforyou.blogspot.com/  (It was actually on a walk with her that we started discussing what I could do with my love of cooking.)

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Jessica A. (pictured in almost every picture of my last post) did the amazing—at least to me:  SHE WROTE AND PUBLISHED HER OWN BOOK.  I’m a little in awe of her all the time, but this one just proves her determination and talent. 

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Go here to learn about the book: http://www.toleahwithlove.blogspot.com/

My aunt Stacy (one of those funny Mormon your-mom-was-pregnant-when-your-Grandma-was stories) make most of the pretty flowers and ribbons that Faith wore her first year of life. 

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They are great baby gifts (and they aren’t all that big).  Check out :  http://www.theprettypetal.com/

So, with all those good examples of women using their creativity and diligence to express themselves…should I go for it, or what?

26 comments:

Silcox Stories said...

Jessica,
There is a girl in our ward who just started her own, simple at home bakery; I think you are thinking about. Here's her website and I'm sure there is link to her blog about it on there.

http://thesugarmoon.weebly.com

My Mom and Karen might even have a link to it on their website now.

Go for it! This girl Jennefer has and she loves it; small and simple, but a small little dream of hers is being fulfilled too.

Camden said...

Jessica, with every post of yours i'm amazed at how similar we are. This has always been a dream of mine too. My question has always been, 'when will it be the season'. Maybe this is your time if you're giving it serious thought! While my husband was in business school I was the dessert chef at a sorority in Ithaca, NY. I made dessert for 50 girls a couple times a week and for special events. I also made monthly birthday cakes for another sorority. It was really fun and gave me a little taste of what it might take to do something like that regularly.

If you think you can make time for it without going crazy, then GO FOR IT!! I wish you the best...and i can't wait to read about it.

Camden said...

BTW, here's another similar story. My sister-in-law's sister-in-law (did you get that) who started her own cake biz. http://thecakebizzle.blogspot.com/

Lauren in GA said...

The great thing is...you would be able to contact all of the amazing women you linked and asked them how they found the balance in life. I think you are so, so, so amazing and I know you would make it a success. My only concern is they say that once you make a passion a job (or a small business, in this case) that it ruins your love for the passion.

I know you would continue to put Heavenly Father first in your life...so I say go for it. You are truly amazing Jessica I am in awe of you and Jessica A. all of the time.

Abbie said...

Do it.

Annie said...

Um, YES. I only wish I could get your bakery creations here in Boston.

Kristin said...

Go for it, but only if I can be your sample tester. Good news, we took the jab in Spokane, so we'll be neighbors now.

Twiddle Thumbs said...

Whoa! What a huge undertaking!
What if you waited til Faith was potty-trained?
If you go for it we'll definitely stick you up on our craft blog.

--Cami--

Ilene said...

I always complain that I don't have a marketable skill.

The chocolate cake recipe is money. I thought of you when I made it; wanting you to bask in the deliciousness of it. And the bonus is that this chocolate cake doesn't require any coffee so Ryan can feel good too.

the wrath of khandrea said...

please tell me more about it. i don't doubt you could succeed at whatever you try. my only question would be do you want to do something like that with little ones still at home? you know how they can totally be a nuisance and stuff. post more info, k???

Ashley C said...

Hi Jessica,

I hope you don't mind me reading your blog. Too late. :) I just had to comment because I am CONSTANTLY thinking about home businesses that I could do. I think you should totally go for whatever you think you would enjoy. I think every mom wants to have something extra that she does well. I still have to figure out what mine is. Go for it!

Jacki said...

Funny! I just watched Julie & Julia last night and was thinking how fun it would be to be a baker/chef. If Julia Child can do it, you can do it!

I decided to opt out of becoming a chef/baker and just focus on cheese this year, yep cheese, but I would love to live vicariously through you.

Tristan said...

Go for it! Remember I did the whole tutu thing? It was going pretty well actually. Until I had to put all my stuff in storage. But I get it out this weekend! YAY! Then I plan to start selling them again.

So I say GO FOR IT! But I'm a risk taker. ;)

jessica said...

I am the one who is always in awe of you! Seriously Jess, you can do this. You can TOTALLY do this. We will talk more about this tomorrow on our EIGHT mile run. I already have some great name ideas and designs for you to think about.

I can't wait for you to get this thing off the ground!

Tammy said...

Yes! You have the passion, the talent and the dedication. Here are some tips, being an entrepreneur is not easy, watching from the side lines has taught me a few things. Do a business plan...even a simple one. Keep overhead down, and start small, use your network, social media works, and realize it will not grow overnight. It may take a year to see progress and growth. Lets talk, I am so excited for you

Lindsey said...

Wow. Really? That would be awesome! So, like what kind of stuff? Stuff for weddings? I am so excited to hear more!!! I love baking too... I thought about my own cupcake shop for a long time.. .because, you know, I AM OBSESSED! Can't wait to hear more!

Brooke said...

Jessica, I think it sounds like a great thing for you to do. You would do so well and are one amazing, talented cook. Go for it. Follow your dreams. Your blog is like it's own little buisiness. I get so many great ideas from reading your thoughts. I watched gifted hands and loved it. We also got the game you suggested, Who, What, Where and loved it! We played it with a group of friends and everyone seemed to like it.

Randi said...

I want 10% for this name which is going to take you to the top: JESSICAKES.

I will be unalterably offended if you don't use it.

The Britton Clan said...

Having gone throught the process, I will tell you it can be an undertaking. There are a couple of things that you need to do first. You need to see if your state or county will allow a home-based food business. You can check on cakecentral.com in the forums under cake business to see if they do. Then you have to go through a lot of red tape. However, I still suggest doing this, because you can get a hefty fine if you are caught selling food out of your home.

The process has paid off for me. I have only been doing my business for a couple of months and I have kept plenty busy. You can check out my website www.tiptopcakeshoppe.com
I would love to answer any questions you might have about getting set up.

In other words, I think you should seriously consider it.

Jacinda

每天 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Christie said...

As one who started something recently myself, I say go for it. There's nothing quite like the thrill of vulnerability and success - all wrapped up in one. Do it, my friend. You have nothing to lose!

Nurse Graham said...

I always say "Never let the fear of failure interfere with the possibility of success"

Go for it and if you decide to try some gluten-free creations and need a taste-tester, I'm your girl.

Paige said...

If you want to do it, yes. If you feel pressure because you are surrounded by people who have home businesses, no. I would hate promoting myself, personally, but cakes promote themselves.

Jake said...

I think it's fun for moms to have their own little cottage industries. But, I agree with Paige. Only do it if you really really want to and if the timing is right.

In the meantime, you can send me all your "trials" and I will be your guinea pig.

Bethany said...

I think this is one of those things you'll always regret if you don't do it. I always talk myself out of ideas because I don't want to pack one more thing in my day. But that's me- YOU are the BEST at packing the most in. You can do it! It will be great and even if it's not- you can always say you tried!

p/s I love that I still get to see most of my LL friends in UT! I'm so there for a lunch! I'll bring the main dish, you bring dessert?

J'net said...

WOW! u must have a SPARE moment available this year...!
IF ur rent is paid every month and u have money to put in your gas tank THEN take this year and read a few books and watch the kids grow up!! Breathe and feel that oxygen go to ur toes and go out w/ ur husband EVERY week and have fun relaxing together...
DO the baking thing when the kids r teens and don't think u should be involved in their lives! Then u can hang around the kitchen and eves-drop while they talk to their friends "thinking" u aren't listening to a single thing they r saying...! And u can involve the kids w/ ur earning and baking power
Julia Childs never did have any kids. AND I spent TOO many hours in the violin studio when my kids were little and cute...