This weekend, I had two cakes to deliver: a butter-iced cake for a birthday and a fondant cake for another birthday celebration. The butter-iced cake was a size 6, while the fondant cake was a size 7, consisting of three layers.
I started baking on Thursday, as I wouldn't be home on Saturday and needed to finish everything by Friday. The fondant cake was also scheduled for delivery on Saturday. With only one apprentice, I had to instruct her to come in early so we could complete the tasks on time. I couldn't afford to rush or disappoint my customers.
Unfortunately, I've had negative experiences with apprentices in the past. Last year, I took on two apprentices who failed to pay me for my training. This time, I made sure to collect a quarter of the payment upfront before starting the training.
On Thursday, my apprentice and I baked the cakes. We decorated the butter-iced cake, which my customers had chosen to make for her boyfriend. She selected a red love-shaped design. The following day, we decorated the fondant cake. Initially, I was unsure of what design to create, but I found inspiration online and recreated it. The result was beautiful, and I was thrilled to have been able to create something unique.
Fondant is a whole lot of work, but it's worth it to see the smile on my customers' faces. However, I must admit that kneading and mixing fondant by hand can be exhausting. I've been praying for a mixer to make the process easier and faster. Having a mixer would be a game-changer for my baking business, allowing me to take on more orders and focus on the creative aspects of cake decorating.
But I've learned to adapt and find ways to make the process more manageable. Recently, I started mixing my fondant in batches, which has made a huge difference. It's still hard work, but breaking it down into smaller tasks has made it feel less overwhelming.
I'm eager to receive feedback from my customer. For now, I'm proud of myself, considering how far I've come. There was a time when my cake decorations weren't up to par, and I'd only share them with my family. However, their encouragement motivated me to improve.
Baking has been my passion since secondary school, although my early attempts were far from perfect. After school, I pursued formal training, and it's been a year now. I'm grateful for the experience and the opportunity to hone my skills.
Initially, my passion for baking led me to undercharge for my services. However, I've come to realize that this approach wasn't sustainable. This year, I've learned to calculate my costs and prices more accurately, ensuring that my business becomes more profitable.
In the next few years, I hope to have gone far in this business. I hope to have expanded my services to include catering for large events and parties, and to have built a reputation as one of the top bakers in my area.
With determination, hard work, and a bit of luck, I know that I can achieve my dreams and make my business a success. I'm looking forward to the journey ahead and can't wait to see what the future holds!
All pictures are mine
So, help me God.
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That pink cake look so cute! I hope someday I can learn how to bake hahaha. Good luck to your business❤️
Thank you, you can with determination