Inspiration Overload!

I just finished watching an old Food Network episode with Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes in NYC. She was just 27 when she abandoned her $75k a year job to open a cake shop. She had $10,000 in savings and used it to open her business. I've got $184 in my savings account and am not sure what to do about it.

My goal for this blog was to remain as optimistic as possible and I'm finding myself being more cynical than I expected. My thoughts are often scattered - one day I want to open my bakery and the next day I want to be a teacher. Some days I even think of teaching baking! Gahhh!

The ultimate goal, of course, is the bakery. The ultimate dream is the shop. With big picture windows, brightly lit cases, and a line full of hungry people. I have to remain focused. I have to stop spending on a whim because every penny counts.

Elisa is a great motivator. She may be far younger than I but sometimes a little youth is what we need to get us going. Coincidentally, an old co-worker from my journalism days has recently come into a sum of undisclosed cash and has offered to become an investor. If Elisa can open a shop in New York City for $10,000 then I think I can do the same in Southern Cal.

Now the trick is to find the right location. It's time to finally figure out how much this startup is going to cost...
In the meantime, check out Elisa's cake books and you'll see why I am so inspired.