Saturday, February 4, 2012

my verdict.

I am not going to start a business.

Of course, parts of my experiment with Lydia's Bakery were completely thrilling.  I loved pushing myself to come up with new flavor combinations and techniques to polish my skills.  I loved the name that I finally came up with - "The Sugar Bin."  I was encouraged constantly by my supportive family and friends who asked "so when are you opening that bakery?" every time they sampled my creations.

On the other hand, I learned something essential about myself and my baking.  And that is, I have to keep money out of things.  The pressure of selling quenched my inspiration.  Once business came into play, I was no longer rushing to the kitchen in every free moment just to try out a new recipe, but instead felt compelled to save my baking energy for when it really mattered; i.e., when I had to produce something worthy to sell.

So I counted the costs.  Option A involved working long and hard to open a business, advertise, create a menu, perfect my recipes.  Option A was the glittery, glamorous one.  (Hi, I'm Lydia.  I own a bakery.  Here's my card; come drop by the Sugar Bin sometime.)  But on the most basic level it meant that I would need to become okay with charging other people, including my family and friends, for something that I loved giving away for free.

Option B was not to start a business.  To miss out on the glitter and glamour, yet to preserve and cultivate my hours in the kitchen for the purpose of artistic inspiration and soothing joy instead of cold commerce.  I would not have to work 40 hours per week at the office and then plug through a business plan or balance tables when I got home.  Instead, I could do something I love and bring joy to myself and to others without the taint of dollars and cents.

I still want a bakery.  But I have chosen Option B because in five years I envision myself with a warm home filled with family and friends and freshly baked brownies.  Actually, I already have a bakery.  But not for buying and selling.  Just for the sole purpose of heart-warming.

Now that my decision has been made, my inspiration has thrived.  This morning I woke up with the strong urge to make chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies, which recipe I created in my head as I snuggled in my warm bed.  And can't wait for the right chance to make these petit fours.   I am back!  Here are some recent  creations to show for it:








Please don't be disappointed that I am not living up to my potential for success by not opening a bakery.  Instead, come have coffee with me.  I'll make cupcakes.  Or tarts.  Or beignets.  Or a cake.  Or your special order.

3 comments:

  1. :) Heart-warming business is one of a kind, Lydia. Will visit your "bakery," hopefully in the near future.

    Love,
    SimplyKatherine

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  2. I'm in need of a delicious 'monster' cookie soon. You and all your treats are super loved. <3

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  3. Lydia, whether or not you made the "right" decision seems to pale in comparison to the fact that you made your decision for the right reasons. You let your heart lead, but your reasons make sense as well. And you put your relationships with people first. Brava.

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