SUPER BOWL!

 

I had one busy Sunday!

Sorry I haven't posted in days but I've never been so busy in my life! And, for that, I am thankful.

There's something about the Superbowl that puts people in a good mood. I delivered to all of Los Angeles County - Whittier, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Buena Park and Fullerton (technically they are Orange County), up to Studio City, Hollywood then West Los Angeles and I made it home in time for kickoff! Whew!

As I dropped off each batch of cupcakes I got two questions. 1) Do you have business cards? and 2) Why aren't you doing this full time? I answered yes to one and "I'm workin' on it" to the other. I put on my smile and acted like it didn't sting to think about all the reasons as to why I don't own my own bakery.

Do I admit that I'm broke? Do I tell these people that the delivery is not profit but just enough to put gas in my car? Do I admit that I didn't fully mature until age 32 and that my life is suffering because of it? No, I don't admit anything. I just smile and thank them for the compliments.

One customer, an old journalism colleague, said he recently came into some money and he would like to give it to me to start my business. Sounds exciting! But I am SO AFRAID to lose his money for him. What if I'm a bad business person? What if I burn down my shop? What if I can never make enough profit to pay him back?? I don't normally enjoy playing the "What If" game but when it comes to somebody else's money, I have to do it. He wants to meet after this weekend when I have fewer orders and more time to focus.

I have to admit to you all that I'm scared out of my wits. I have been wondering lately where I should open a business. I like where I live but I have no intention of living in my city once I get married. I have always dreamed of opening my bakery in Whittier, CA but I have seen too many businesses fail in the area I was planning. One other place I would REALLY like to open a a shop is Pico Rivera, CA. It was recently on CNN in Soledad O'Brien's "Latinos in America" segment. She referred to it as "the Latino Mayberry."

For the most part, Soledad is right but Pico (as it's known) has had some major politcal scandal in recent years and was in danger of going completely bankrupt two years ago. With some changing of the guard and a tax hike, the city is back on its feet. Profiting, thriving.

Here's the issue. The tax is 9.25% in Pico Rivera. I fear people won't want to buy from me in the highest tax rate in California but I also have a gut feeling that more affluent people will move to Pico in the next 10 years because of that tax. The city's coffers will be filled to the brim and they will have enough cash to rebuild the city. I want to be a part of that future if I can.

I should also mention that my boyfriend currently lives in the city of Pico Rivera and it is possible we will be living there after we are married. I'd be willing to drive to another local city just as I do now but there's something about Pico Rivera that just inspires me. I can really see myself living the life I want to live as well as running the business that I've always wanted.

Wish me luck! I'll post the results of our meeting as soon as it happens. For now I am going to post more photos from this week's orders. Tomorrow - Valentine's Day cookies!