As I am waiting for my dough to proof and my goodies in the oven to bake, I’d thought I’d finally sit down and blog about Sunday’s CrafTEAtime. After reading blog posts that other attendees have written, I decided to let you read what they thought about the event instead of me rambling on and on.
Shannon from What’s Up Whimsy
Paintlounge’s blog
Check out photos from Paintlounge’s Flickr
My photos can be found on Sweet Escapes’ Facebook page… click the link on the sidebar –>
(and click “LIKE” on the page if you haven’t done so already!
)There are a few other bloggers who haven’t published their entries yet but I will post them on a separate page when I receive them.
As I was thinking about the event and about the entrepreneurs that I met, three things came to mind. Three vital elements to every successful business. Future entrepreneurs, take note! This may be helpful for your new venture
You have to have passion
It was a refreshing change to be surrounded by other people with such passion for what they do. You can just TELL that they love their job. They are glowing excitement when they talk about their product. They just can’t help it! Passion or “heart” is not something you can learn or acquire… you just have to have it. I admire people with passion and who pursue it. It’s so rare nowadays. I have seen one too many people stuck at jobs they don’t like, jobs that only provide them with a paycheck every two weeks but rob them of their joy… jobs that consume their souls. People who are daring enough to pursue their passion say, “That’s enough—I deserve to be happy!” and do their own thing. I love those people.
You have to have a support group
I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have supportive family and friends to encourage me every step of the way. Starting your own business is not easy. Sure, the hours are flexible, you get to be your own boss and you don’t have to wear business casual attire to work but it’s not always cupcakes and sprinkles! It’s tough when you don’t know when your next paycheck is coming or the amount. It’s disappointing when the cupcake that you bake does not look like the one in the cookbook. Or it’s 3am and you’re still cutting fondant Elmos that does not look like him anymore. You just want to give up because that’s the easiest road to take. But when you have people around you to encourage you to pull up your socks and carry on, you are reminded that you are not alone on this journey!
You have to have fun!
You have to love what you do. You have to smile and laugh. I smiled and laughed so much on Sunday that my face hurt! It’s important to stay positive, look on the bright side and see the glass as half full. A positive attitude is contagious. When you are passionate and love what you do, the “fun” comes naturally.
This is my longest post to date! I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of my thoughts 
I have to get back to baking now… stay tuned for the next few days! I have some exciting blog posts coming your way including February’s Daring Baker’s Challenge desserts (yes, there’s TWO this month!), a new feature called “Cupcake Me” Mondays and a peek at what I couldn’t resist buying at St. Lawrence Market today. Happy Weekend, everyone!
