Thought we'd share an article written by a fellow baker who said it all in her webpage as follow:
"First and foremost I was chuffed with the response. I really am touched with some of the comments. Good or Bad! In fact it is the bad which motivated me to continue the dialogue.
Dialogue on my blog doesn’t begin with name calling. Someone said I was “whining” in my earlier Free Cakes post, so I decided to continue. I’m open to different opinions. If anything my lawyer background enjoys the contrast. Besides, if I wasn’t open to different opinions. I certainly wouldn’t approve all the comments for everyone to read.
The piece wasn’t about the majority of customers. Or perhaps it was, who cares. But I am not one to get on my knees to thank anyone for their business when in reality, they were a nuisance. Lets face it, unless your ‘caking‘ or have a partner who ‘cakes‘, you really don’t know.
The blog was an Ode to those who want a $200 cake for their $3000+ party. It is for those who insult you by saying they want a $3000 cake for $60. They are fully aware of what they are doing. It is not aimed at those who really need a break.
Breaks? Breaks need to be given to people who need it. These are the people who are in genuine need of a cake to put a smile someones face. Or have been devastated with personal circumstances and need an extra hand with things in life. I donate cakes a lot and encourage it. In fact that is probably the best part of what I do. I suggest getting in touch with organizations like Icing Smiles (www.icingsmiles.org). I love what they do and those cakes really make a difference.
Cakes, take a lot of time and money to make! Many artists invest in classes. Furthering their education in Cake and Sugar art with new techniques and skills to better themselves. They also have overheads and a life! Many are very small businesses just trying to make it to the next rent check. Don’t insult my readers suggesting otherwise. They all have values and goals. But this is real life. Not everyone has the capital or support that many are blessed with. They have to make it happen. Sometimes with $150 worth of ingredients, they get paid $200 for the finished cake. This isn’t taking into account time, labor and overhead! Then you have someone with a brand name bag standing in their brand name shoes, wearing a rock the size of a candy pop, asking for $50 off! Are you with me or am I still whining? I promise this isn’t me whining. I’m British, so play this back in your head with the Queen’s English. Immediately it’ll sound smarter. Eventually you will understand it. Hence the photograph of Big Ben. I couldn’t find it in myself to sculpt one out of cake. That would be deserving a slap in the face. Are you still with me?
If you don’t then let’s agree to disagree. I relay what I see my peers going through. Perhaps your truly blessed with that white picket fence where it never rains. Then let the force be with you!
If my clients need hand holding. Then I can do that, while I guide them to their wallet. Not a problem, I can hold hands as long as their is sanitizer involved.
Free Cakes was really about getting people to realize the hardwork that goes behind cake making. This is a struggling industry. No matter how big or small the business the industry has been hit. One of my main objectives was to get people thinking. The other to have cake artists value their art and not give away their hard work. You don’t just pay for the ingredients and then add a few bucks for the price of a cake. You have expenses to consider, your time, labor and profit. If your not making profit then you need to re-examine your business plan. This is not a charity.
If this was the legal world. I would have charged you for my time. This is the cake world consider this a conversation."
Article taken from: motherofcakes.net
