When we first decided to open the bakery, we "toured" tons of other bakeries to see what they all did, looked like, charged, made, etc. Even Sam's Club - yes, Sam's Club. I thought to myself, "Hmmm, that's what they charge for a cake? Guess I won't be sellin' many cakes".
I'm not too smart, I guess! :o) My kitchen is completed filled with cake layers for all of the cakes I have to make this weekend - FILLED!! I actually can't accept another order for this weekend because I simply can't do any more. How funny is that? A better question is, How GREAT is that?!
I say it all the time (as people ask me nearly everyday), this sweet little town will not let me fail -- will not let this bakery fail. It's a sweet old fashioned business in a sweet, historical town and folks like the fit. Big Ol' Box Stores have their place, just not 'round these here parts. So I'm gonna keep making cakes for all these family celebrations and proudly give them all a receipt that says Sally's Sweet Shoppe on it. And at the bottom of the receipt, we don't give you some arbitrary code to put in for an electronic survey, we extend a sincere thanks "for being sweet on us" and we hope that we have lived up to your expectations....which I'm guessing are higher than those they have for Sam's Club! :o)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Busy Week to come
It's the start of a wonderfully busy week at the bakery! We have tons of orders to do and it's Halloween weekend and my goodness sakes, we MUST have fun with that!
This weekend, we'll have lots of fun treats for all those in costume! So, if you wanna treat, you better come dressed like your favorite baker (or policeman, or princess, or clown, or whatever)!! :o) We'll be in costume too, but you'll recognize us...we'll be the ones with the name tags!
I'm excited about all the fun fall desserts that we're making and how well they are being received. In fact, on Saturday, The CornerStone Restaurant got 12 of our Jumbo Pumpkin Cupcakes, filled with truffle filling and frosted with Cream Cheese Buttercream and dusted w/ FRESH ground nutmeg (phew, that's a mouthful!!) and only have a few left - and that's in addition to the other stuff we had there and it's only Monday!! We're working on some more great indulgences that we'll have there soon....I'm thinking something that's over the top in chocolate, oreos, ganache, there's caramel, and.....hmmm...gotta work on this one! OH! And how about GingerBread Pudding! That's gonna be a good one for the holiday season!
OK - gotta run...need to work on my Holiday Dessert and Cookie menus! Don't forget to get your costume ready!!
This weekend, we'll have lots of fun treats for all those in costume! So, if you wanna treat, you better come dressed like your favorite baker (or policeman, or princess, or clown, or whatever)!! :o) We'll be in costume too, but you'll recognize us...we'll be the ones with the name tags!
I'm excited about all the fun fall desserts that we're making and how well they are being received. In fact, on Saturday, The CornerStone Restaurant got 12 of our Jumbo Pumpkin Cupcakes, filled with truffle filling and frosted with Cream Cheese Buttercream and dusted w/ FRESH ground nutmeg (phew, that's a mouthful!!) and only have a few left - and that's in addition to the other stuff we had there and it's only Monday!! We're working on some more great indulgences that we'll have there soon....I'm thinking something that's over the top in chocolate, oreos, ganache, there's caramel, and.....hmmm...gotta work on this one! OH! And how about GingerBread Pudding! That's gonna be a good one for the holiday season!
OK - gotta run...need to work on my Holiday Dessert and Cookie menus! Don't forget to get your costume ready!!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Getting My Groove On
Sometimes I have to step back and say "Holy Cow, I baked a lot"! And then I think about all those days that I did that and think, "remember this when you are feeling low"! This week, my dessert cases were the fullest they have ever been. I had 8 kinds of cookies, pumpkin bars, three kinds of jumbo cupcakes, marshmellow bars, s'more bars, candies, and more! It was so gratifying to feel like I was ahead of the curve/crowd and I was so proud to have visitors come to the bakery this week! I must be getting my groove going.
A lot of other stuff got also done this week and it makes me feel like I'm moving towards having a "real" place of business! My business cards FINALLY got done (and ma'an are they cute), my computer got set up, my internet got set up (All-Recipes.com here I come!!!!!!), my wireless router got installed (for my customers to use), my voicemail got set up (and USED!!!!), etc. I'm like official or something now!
Feels good to accomplish stuff. Feels even better when you work really hard and then life starts to catch up to you!
A lot of other stuff got also done this week and it makes me feel like I'm moving towards having a "real" place of business! My business cards FINALLY got done (and ma'an are they cute), my computer got set up, my internet got set up (All-Recipes.com here I come!!!!!!), my wireless router got installed (for my customers to use), my voicemail got set up (and USED!!!!), etc. I'm like official or something now!
Feels good to accomplish stuff. Feels even better when you work really hard and then life starts to catch up to you!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
They're baaa'aaack!
So, for about three weeks, I fretted over where some of my "regular" customers had gone. I truly lost sleep over it. What had I said, done, not done, messed up, blah blah blah? That's me though. Molly (my alter ego, that no matter how hard I try, I can never be rid of) always goes there first -- what I did wrong. So first born...puke. So NOT self honoring.
They came back (mostly) on Friday and better yet -- they ALL were back. They just had to take a little break. I hadn't done anything or said anything or made anything wrong. They simply had to move through their lives and when they had a moment, they came back to Sally's to get some sass' on! I couldn't have been happier and I was nearly in tears when they walked back through the doors (all of them). I've become very fond of my "regulars" and I've even become "friends" with them. I look forward to their energy in my bakery and the looks on their faces as they try to figure out what they want and they kind words as they notice the new stuff I've been adding.
So welcome back Lorraine, Bob, Dawn, Pat, Rosie, Jeff, AnitaMarie, Nancy, and a few others that I know the face and story of but the name escapes me. Seems each day we add a new friend to our bakery and they surround my bakery with their good energy and love.
And I missed them.
And I'm glad they're back.
And I'm glad I noticed they were gone.
They came back (mostly) on Friday and better yet -- they ALL were back. They just had to take a little break. I hadn't done anything or said anything or made anything wrong. They simply had to move through their lives and when they had a moment, they came back to Sally's to get some sass' on! I couldn't have been happier and I was nearly in tears when they walked back through the doors (all of them). I've become very fond of my "regulars" and I've even become "friends" with them. I look forward to their energy in my bakery and the looks on their faces as they try to figure out what they want and they kind words as they notice the new stuff I've been adding.
So welcome back Lorraine, Bob, Dawn, Pat, Rosie, Jeff, AnitaMarie, Nancy, and a few others that I know the face and story of but the name escapes me. Seems each day we add a new friend to our bakery and they surround my bakery with their good energy and love.
And I missed them.
And I'm glad they're back.
And I'm glad I noticed they were gone.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sorry I've been out of touch
Hi all -- sorry I have been out of touch lately. Life is moving at the speed of light and as much as I love doing my blogs, it seems to be one of the first things I cut out when short on time. I am also still having trouble w/ my arm/hand, so typing is still hard AND my computer crashed AGAIN on Sunday, so GOOD TIMES! :o) I am typing my excuses from the desk at the library right now while we try to rebuild again. Did I mention what a GOOD TIME this is?! :o)
Working on my Pie Menu and my Christmas Cookie menus right now...I know, right?! But it is JUST around the corner and customers are already asking! Would love to hear your thoughts about what kinds of cookie traditions and favorite Thanksgiving Pies that you had as a kid. Maybe I can make some of them for everyone!
Well, gotta run...I'll be back soon to chat!
Working on my Pie Menu and my Christmas Cookie menus right now...I know, right?! But it is JUST around the corner and customers are already asking! Would love to hear your thoughts about what kinds of cookie traditions and favorite Thanksgiving Pies that you had as a kid. Maybe I can make some of them for everyone!
Well, gotta run...I'll be back soon to chat!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thank You's
Lately I have been having some trouble with my right arm. OK, that's not fully authentic, but I'm a tough broad like my mom. Truth is, during the course of the night I am in extreme pain due to some weird muscle spasm that has taken over my entire right upper back, the front of my chest and is shooting pain and numbness into my hand (mostly my thumb) so typing, writing, talking on the phone, squeezing a pastry bag are all extremely difficult for me to do right now. That's my excuse for why I have not written much lately.
However, last night I was able to FINALLY finish all of my thank you cards to everyone for their gifts, help, generosity, etc. in getting Sally's off the ground. And before I loose all feeling in my thumb, I wanted all of you to know how all of these people helped me!
Merry Me: Thank you for your never ending energy, kind letters, cards and the gift of my pewter teaspoon set and magnetic spoon. Thank you for sending a postcard to remind me to SHINE and having it arrive ON my first day in business!
Becky Knippel: Growing up, I thought my mom and Becky were inseparable...now I know why. Two days before the big day, Becky helped John and I cover eight seats and backs for the tables that now adorn our bakery. And may I just say, it was some of the physically hardest stuff I ever did! AND she got me to stay up until almost midnight to finish them! Thank you for giving so much of your night and strength to help me Becky! I love you.
Matt & Linda Planning: I never met these people in my life and one day I have a call from a woman who heard I was going to have a kitschy mid century feel to my bakery and did I want another table and chair set -- FOR FREE, oh and all the fabric to cover both sets for next to nothing? Not yes, but Heck yes! :o) The kindness of strangers restores my heart and I consider Matt and Linda to be anything but strangers at this point. Oh, and if you ever see them in the bakery, Puh-lease don't be sittin' at their table cuz they have lifetime first rights to it! :o)
Dad & (Sara)Mom: How do you say thank you to your dad after he has given a solid week of his time - putting all other jobs aside -- to build my bakery? I don't think you can, though I have tried to think of something. My bakery is beautiful Dad and my counter is the Cat's Meow! :o) And Mom, thank you for all the work you have done in my bakery including all the work you do NOW with your name tag on! I love having you there to help me!!
Al, Tam, Grant, CP, and Ikey: Thank you boys for giving up one of your afternoons to help me during construction -- it was a fun field trip! Thanks Ikey for folding all those boxes and Granters for helping get things ready. Thank you CP for helping with the wallpaper removal and making that fun and thank you Sissy for your stuff from the cabin, your card reminding me it was OK to leap in faith, and for all of your little gifts in support of my bakery (and for doing dishes!!) :o)
Anastasia: Thank you for all my beautiful, one of a kind, Sally pieces! My OPEN/CLOSED sign, my sample platter, my hours sign, my suggestion box, pen and pad, fun name tags...for helping me in the bakery to prepare for the parties, for your unyielding belief in my success, and for your love and friendship and honesty.
Kelly: Thank you for all of your picture taking, for my framed pictures of my baked treats, for helping me in the bakery, and for your constant positive energy for our success! Thank you for coming to support me and for telling so many people about Sally's (and for bringing them all out)!! I soooo appreciate it!!
Auntie Val, Auntie Lisa, Dad & Ginny: Thank you for the plants and for coming out to bring your good energy to the bakery! AVSQ, thank you for doing all those dishes! :o)
Jim & Kathy: Thank you for the ice cream and the champagne...if you would have just brought french fries too, you would have given me my favorite three things!! :o)
Charlie: Thank you for my magic fairy wand and for being a part of our first day. Thank you for your kind words about the bakery and for heartfully giving me the space. I hope that every little girl that walks in the bakery feels like a princess!
Billy: Seriously...refer to the post! :o)
Cupcake: Thank you for helping me in the bakery! I loved having you play with me! Seems so natural for us to be in a kitchen creating together and I can't wait for you to wear your name tag again!
Chelley: Thank you for being my greatest marketing representative! :o) Thank you for the plates and all things Aqua for the bakery! Thank you mostly for bringing the boys in so often to tell me how much they love me (you know, just before they get their cookie!!) :o)
Macey: Honey, thank you for always asking Momma to bring you to the bakery and thank you for making me a beautiful bracelet to wear in the bakery. My customers just love how pretty it looks on me when I am getting them their treats!
To everyone who prayed for me and still is, thank you. Above all else, thank you for that -- for my success is due in large part to the plans that God has for me and living out those plans feels like a fulfillment.
And thank you to Gracey, Mary and Buddy who have decided that it is OUR bakery and that they will be a big part of its success. I may have the best customers in the world, but I have an even better family.
I know this is long overdue and that I may even need to post an update or two, but I hope that you will all know that it doesn't lessen the thanks I feel in my heart for your help and the gratitude I feel knowing that I truly could not have done this without you.
However, last night I was able to FINALLY finish all of my thank you cards to everyone for their gifts, help, generosity, etc. in getting Sally's off the ground. And before I loose all feeling in my thumb, I wanted all of you to know how all of these people helped me!
Merry Me: Thank you for your never ending energy, kind letters, cards and the gift of my pewter teaspoon set and magnetic spoon. Thank you for sending a postcard to remind me to SHINE and having it arrive ON my first day in business!
Becky Knippel: Growing up, I thought my mom and Becky were inseparable...now I know why. Two days before the big day, Becky helped John and I cover eight seats and backs for the tables that now adorn our bakery. And may I just say, it was some of the physically hardest stuff I ever did! AND she got me to stay up until almost midnight to finish them! Thank you for giving so much of your night and strength to help me Becky! I love you.
Matt & Linda Planning: I never met these people in my life and one day I have a call from a woman who heard I was going to have a kitschy mid century feel to my bakery and did I want another table and chair set -- FOR FREE, oh and all the fabric to cover both sets for next to nothing? Not yes, but Heck yes! :o) The kindness of strangers restores my heart and I consider Matt and Linda to be anything but strangers at this point. Oh, and if you ever see them in the bakery, Puh-lease don't be sittin' at their table cuz they have lifetime first rights to it! :o)
Dad & (Sara)Mom: How do you say thank you to your dad after he has given a solid week of his time - putting all other jobs aside -- to build my bakery? I don't think you can, though I have tried to think of something. My bakery is beautiful Dad and my counter is the Cat's Meow! :o) And Mom, thank you for all the work you have done in my bakery including all the work you do NOW with your name tag on! I love having you there to help me!!
Al, Tam, Grant, CP, and Ikey: Thank you boys for giving up one of your afternoons to help me during construction -- it was a fun field trip! Thanks Ikey for folding all those boxes and Granters for helping get things ready. Thank you CP for helping with the wallpaper removal and making that fun and thank you Sissy for your stuff from the cabin, your card reminding me it was OK to leap in faith, and for all of your little gifts in support of my bakery (and for doing dishes!!) :o)
Anastasia: Thank you for all my beautiful, one of a kind, Sally pieces! My OPEN/CLOSED sign, my sample platter, my hours sign, my suggestion box, pen and pad, fun name tags...for helping me in the bakery to prepare for the parties, for your unyielding belief in my success, and for your love and friendship and honesty.
Kelly: Thank you for all of your picture taking, for my framed pictures of my baked treats, for helping me in the bakery, and for your constant positive energy for our success! Thank you for coming to support me and for telling so many people about Sally's (and for bringing them all out)!! I soooo appreciate it!!
Auntie Val, Auntie Lisa, Dad & Ginny: Thank you for the plants and for coming out to bring your good energy to the bakery! AVSQ, thank you for doing all those dishes! :o)
Jim & Kathy: Thank you for the ice cream and the champagne...if you would have just brought french fries too, you would have given me my favorite three things!! :o)
Charlie: Thank you for my magic fairy wand and for being a part of our first day. Thank you for your kind words about the bakery and for heartfully giving me the space. I hope that every little girl that walks in the bakery feels like a princess!
Billy: Seriously...refer to the post! :o)
Cupcake: Thank you for helping me in the bakery! I loved having you play with me! Seems so natural for us to be in a kitchen creating together and I can't wait for you to wear your name tag again!
Chelley: Thank you for being my greatest marketing representative! :o) Thank you for the plates and all things Aqua for the bakery! Thank you mostly for bringing the boys in so often to tell me how much they love me (you know, just before they get their cookie!!) :o)
Macey: Honey, thank you for always asking Momma to bring you to the bakery and thank you for making me a beautiful bracelet to wear in the bakery. My customers just love how pretty it looks on me when I am getting them their treats!
To everyone who prayed for me and still is, thank you. Above all else, thank you for that -- for my success is due in large part to the plans that God has for me and living out those plans feels like a fulfillment.
And thank you to Gracey, Mary and Buddy who have decided that it is OUR bakery and that they will be a big part of its success. I may have the best customers in the world, but I have an even better family.
I know this is long overdue and that I may even need to post an update or two, but I hope that you will all know that it doesn't lessen the thanks I feel in my heart for your help and the gratitude I feel knowing that I truly could not have done this without you.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
We're havin' fun now!
Preparing stuff for this weekend's orders is WAAAYYY fun-o!! And a little unbelievable! So...on Friday, I am doing a chocolate dessert tray for the women's decadence night at 3 Sisters' Spirit -- all chocolate, all indulgent!
Then, a new customer came into the bakery yesterday and asked me if I would be interested in (get this!) doing an all-chocolate event for her for Saturday at Alverno College?!
Como say what?! Yup! Two identical, super fun, create as much chocolate love as I can events!
Oh, it gets better --waaayy better! Then today, another new customer came in today. She is having an appetizer and dessert party with several friends at her house this weekend and would I be able to throw some desserts together for her? HECK YES!! AND, she is a fun, energetic, lively woman who when I suggested that she serve the beyond ladylike Whoopee Pies, she loved it! There is NO way to eat that like a lady, no way to not make a mess, and no way that you wouldn't feel like you were over the top in fun and scrumptiousness (it's a word...)!
Seriously? Could my job BE any better?
Then, a new customer came into the bakery yesterday and asked me if I would be interested in (get this!) doing an all-chocolate event for her for Saturday at Alverno College?!
Como say what?! Yup! Two identical, super fun, create as much chocolate love as I can events!
Oh, it gets better --waaayy better! Then today, another new customer came in today. She is having an appetizer and dessert party with several friends at her house this weekend and would I be able to throw some desserts together for her? HECK YES!! AND, she is a fun, energetic, lively woman who when I suggested that she serve the beyond ladylike Whoopee Pies, she loved it! There is NO way to eat that like a lady, no way to not make a mess, and no way that you wouldn't feel like you were over the top in fun and scrumptiousness (it's a word...)!
Seriously? Could my job BE any better?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Damned if I don't....
Last week, a bright, energetic, joyful woman came into the bakery for the first time. She and her friend stayed and chatted and exchanged recipe ideas for several minutes with me. They were both lovely, lovely women.
But something she said really seems to be shouting louder in my head than all of the other wonderful and kind and positive things she said. Within the first few minutes of our chat, she said that someone at work told her there was a new bakery in Genesee. Then she said, in a rather "blowing it off" kind of fashion (like the woman who told her about the bakery didn't know what she was talking about) that "I do TOO have a lot of stuff to offer" (in defense of my little bakery). I told her that I hoped I had enough to offer our customers and that each day I find new things that I can still find time to add to each days offerings.
Here's why it gets me...I wasn't kidding about this being a scratch bakery. We (and by "we", I always mean "me") buy nothing but raw ingredients and then try to figure out what the traffic, mood, seasons, weather, events, day of the week, or any other reason one could possibly use to GUESS what kind of customers we (I) will have that day and what they will be in the mood for so that I can try to get that item baked (along with ALL the other items). And in doing so, I try to figure out how much of those items to have so that I don't have a baker's worst nightmare -- leftovers.
I'm not sure what the women who said I don't have much to offer was looking for (and truth be told, if she had asked me, I probably would have found a way to start making it), but two things exist right now...make that three. One, I AM a small bakery, but am willing to do just about anything for my customers which is something only small bakeries can do. Two, for now, I do a pretty good job of guessing which way the wind is blowing each day to try to make the right amounts and not have leftovers. And three...our current customer base is around 30-50 customers per day...someday, God willing, we may grow our business to more like 300 (like big bakeries do) and when that day comes, I will have more to offer as our client base will support that kind of volume. For now, I hope the message that gets out there is that we are a good, everything from scratch, hometown bakery that is willing to help our customers make any special occasion -- even breakfast with your grand kids -- more special.
And I'll keep trying to make more and hopefully, it will be enough.
But something she said really seems to be shouting louder in my head than all of the other wonderful and kind and positive things she said. Within the first few minutes of our chat, she said that someone at work told her there was a new bakery in Genesee. Then she said, in a rather "blowing it off" kind of fashion (like the woman who told her about the bakery didn't know what she was talking about) that "I do TOO have a lot of stuff to offer" (in defense of my little bakery). I told her that I hoped I had enough to offer our customers and that each day I find new things that I can still find time to add to each days offerings.
Here's why it gets me...I wasn't kidding about this being a scratch bakery. We (and by "we", I always mean "me") buy nothing but raw ingredients and then try to figure out what the traffic, mood, seasons, weather, events, day of the week, or any other reason one could possibly use to GUESS what kind of customers we (I) will have that day and what they will be in the mood for so that I can try to get that item baked (along with ALL the other items). And in doing so, I try to figure out how much of those items to have so that I don't have a baker's worst nightmare -- leftovers.
I'm not sure what the women who said I don't have much to offer was looking for (and truth be told, if she had asked me, I probably would have found a way to start making it), but two things exist right now...make that three. One, I AM a small bakery, but am willing to do just about anything for my customers which is something only small bakeries can do. Two, for now, I do a pretty good job of guessing which way the wind is blowing each day to try to make the right amounts and not have leftovers. And three...our current customer base is around 30-50 customers per day...someday, God willing, we may grow our business to more like 300 (like big bakeries do) and when that day comes, I will have more to offer as our client base will support that kind of volume. For now, I hope the message that gets out there is that we are a good, everything from scratch, hometown bakery that is willing to help our customers make any special occasion -- even breakfast with your grand kids -- more special.
And I'll keep trying to make more and hopefully, it will be enough.
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