Give Away Finale

I betcha never thought I'd get around to this, didja?

Well, let me just tell you, there's been a LOT going on over here in Bake Lore land.  I've been making mad progress on my business plan and most of my time lately has been devoted to market research rather than my usual kitchen mayhem.

So, I just want to post a little refresher for you...in case you forgot the rules of my give away.  I'll be blogging about my experience with the Fat Daddio hemi muffin pan very soon!  Watch for it!!

Giveaway Rule Review:

DA RULES:1. I will use my set of bake ware, and blog about my experience and the recipe I used.

2. You will obsessively compulsively check Bake Lore to see when I post about my experience and tell all your friends and relatives to do the same.

3. When I publish the post about each item, you have two ways to enter the give away:

• First, post a comment and say something nice. (Snide comments will render your entry void...*raspberries*.)
• Second, you can have an additional entry by sending me an email at bakelore@gmail.com and using the subject line: I LOVE Fat Daddio!! Also, say something nice. I'm 30 now, and I need compliments more than I used to.
• So, for each give away, you can enter a total of TWO ENTRIES - or more if you use another email address I suppose.
• USE YOUR FULL NAME so I can make sure the correct person gets the loot!! No name, no loot!!!!!!

4. After THREE DAYS - with the option to extend if I feel like it:) - during which you will continue to check the blog and like the facebook page (see #2)! - I will announce a winner, chosen at random.

5. THIS IS IMPORTANT: The winner is entitled to one piece of bakeware - and free delivery or pickup. The big point of this promo for me is to build up my LOCAL base, so - -This give away is limited to those who are within a one-hour driving distance from Linton.

This includes the Linton, Bloomfield, Jasonville, Dugger, Terre Haute, Bloomington, Sullivan, Washington, Vincennes and all points in and around beautiful rural Indiana - - this is your time to WIN!

I'm so sorry, but I just can't afford to ship to my fans in Latvia, though I love you dearly! (Es Tevi Milu! - - That's "I love you" in Latvian, for reals.)

Sooooo, if you are one of the lucky winners (which you will know instantly because, again, see #2), that will bring me to your door with your Fat Daddio Pan - or you can pick it up in person. And...by the way... If you decide you want me to throw in some bread or cookies, you totally have to pay for that:).

That's all for now! Keep checking BAKE LORE!

And if you have questions, email me at bakelore@gmail.com, subject line: Fat Daddio Giveaway.

I May Be On to Something Here.

I try to focus my posts on my cake projects, because, let's face it - it's fun.  But lately, I've been doing a lot more work on the businessy side of things, and I just can't let that go un-noted.

Regulars know by now that I try to particiapte in Gratituesday, a weekly effort from Heavenly Homemakers.  Well, I have a lot to be thankful for  this week. 

1.  Advancing Women in Business Seminar - WOW.  I just can't say enough about how encouraging and empowering this event was.  It's an annual event, created by Indiana's Lt. Governor, Becky Skillman and hosted by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.  I networked, I got out of my comfort zone, I learned and now, I'm moving forward on my business plan! 

2.  Indiana's Small Business Development Centers - WHAT an incredible resource!  Friendly, helpful people and just as excited about my ideas as I am.  Can't wait to work with them more.

3.  New Freezer.  That's right kids...my mother in law slaughtered a cow, we bought a freezer for our little chunk of it, and there's enough room up top to store multiple cakes that are in the process of awesomeness.  I have SPACE!

4.  Possible new delivery vehicle.  I think this just might be providence.  We found and EXTREMELY affordable SUV with the space I need to deliver larger cake orders.  That means the possibility that I won't have to borrow larger vehicles anymore and I will be able to take on more and bigger orders!  Again...SPACE is a wonderful thing!

I feel like I'm walking through doors that have been opened by a bigger hand than mine. 

Sweet.


Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

The Baker Who Plans...Bakes Longest.

I am beginning to understand why so many bakeries fail.

This is not just about beautiful cakes or sugar flowers that look real.

My first gum paste iris

This is about business.  It’s about money.  It’s about time and energy and research and planning and counseling. 

There is no way you can just jump into a full fledged bakery.  Well, I mean there is.  It’s like my English teacher used to say – the paper is due on Friday.  You don’t HAVE to turn it in on Friday, but if you want the points, if you want to pass the class, you’d best bust your butt and get that paper in her hand ON Friday.  But it’s up to you.  Because there is such a thing as free will.

I have the freedom to be a total idiot and put the cart before the horse.  I have the freedom to take my time and make wise decisions.  After all, a bakery risks far more than my grade in Classic Literature.  It risks my emotional well-being, my reputation, my time, my dream, and most importantly, the livelihood of my family.

 

Make no mistake, I love to create beautiful cakes.  But I’m not doing this for my own amusement.  I’m doing it to hone a marketable skill, one that will possibly pay for braces, cars and universities.  I’m doing this because I love my family and I am compelled to reach for something more than I can grasp.

That is why I am researching FDA regulations, Health Department codes, forcing my introverted self to network and  in the meantime doing everything I can to keep my skills fresh and my butter cream smooth.

If I don’t plan, I will fail.  If I do plan…I still might fail.  But I am compelled to try. 

Now…where was I in that ISDH code book…appendix B?  Subarticle 28…ah yes…