Tag: business idea
Sep
19
Have You Thought Of A Business Decorating Cakes?
I confess. I watch too much TV. We do have a rule that the TV does not go on before 7 pm, and although we do watch a 30 min blip during the day occasionally to catch a recipe or an exercise show, but it’s a habit we rarely break. Of course, when I say “too much”- you’re talking to someone that didn’t watch ANY TV for many, many years.
What I love to watch is HGTV (some are not-so-good..), The History Channel, Discovery Channel, and yes, the Food Channel. Good Eats is a show I recently discovered that could be very educational as it describes the science of food, and why different foods react the way they do. Since I really do love anything to do with entrepreneurship, I really love bios of great entrepreneurs, and how others started their empires. I watched “The Age of Walmart” twice, the one on McDonalds, and many other shows documenting entrepreneurial pursuits. Yes, I’m one of those kind of TV watchers… to the dismay of my family!
I bring this up because I believe there is so much to be learned from some of these shows. If you’ve ever thought of entering the business of decorating cakes, then you must watch TLC’s “The Cake Boss”. It’s a New Jersey true family business, and while their behavior isn’t always exemplary, I believe it gives an accurate portrayal of the pros AND cons of the business of decorating cakes.
If you don’t have cable TV but do have high speed internet, then you can watch episodes online and view all the tools and perks they have on their website at http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/cake-boss/cake-boss.html. They even show the owner’s “sketch book” and how he plans his cakes.
So, what if you have young budding chefs in your family that have no idea how to decorate cakes, but would love to learn? Teaching Good Things Kathy Brodock has created a DVD that is an excellent introduction to how to decorate a cake and make it look professional. I’ve never gotten very fancy, but I’ve baked almost all our birthday cakes for the last 32 years, and I saw lots of new things I want to try!
If I had known it was as easy as Kathy teaches, I would’ve saved hundreds of dollars in the few professional cakes we have purchased over the years. It’s a small investment in time and materials that could pay off as a very profitable hobby for any of your children (or yourself). My daughter would’ve loved this when she was younger, and now as a grandma, I’m seriously considering buying the equipment to help my 3 young granddaughters learn the trade.
We got together last Christmas with my 3 granddaughters and made (sort of) 3 Wilton’s Gingerbread Houses and really struggled with the icing part. Watching this DVD really taught me enough that if we tackle a project like this again, it will be much, much easier! It really does pay to learn from other’s experience. I highly recommend this DVD to get started. (no, I’m not getting paid to do a review!)
The internet is full of creative ideas for decorating cakes, cupcakes, cookies, gingerbread houses and more. Once you have the basics in place, you could use your skills to create beautiful, edible gifts, too. 
However, the biggest advantage to learning this as a family is you will be creating memories that last forever.
Do YOU decorate cakes or cookies for fun or profit? Send us your pictures and we’ll post them!
Sep
10
Have You Thought About a Hot Dog Cart?
OK, I know hot dogs are really bad for you, so maybe you couldn’t bring yourself to sell them. What about buying some healthy, all natural dogs? Organic, even? If there is even such a product. I do know there are natural brats we bought through a coop once several years ago that my kids and husband LOVED…..so I’m sure you could find a good substitute. Now THAT’s a unique selling position.
I came across this website with a wealth of resources on the hot dog cart market, as well as an E-book, that would definitely jumpstart your new business for a small investment (relatively)! Then, as a homeschooler, think of all the events …..
The most interesting part of the story was the man who was selling the hot dogs forgot his ‘for sale’ sign was still on the cart, and got more business from people wanting to buy his cart! So be sure to be set up with a wholesaler so you could sell carts, too!
Have fun!
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