CAKEAPOTAMUS

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

UPDATE!

 I haven't blogged in the longest time. I was supposed to have more time to maintain my social media when I closed the storefront. Ah, the best laid plans...

But I have a break between rounds of baking and cleaning today, so I wanted to blog a little update. Here's what's been going on in the cakepot world:

*We closed the storefront!
It's the best worst decision. I loved my little shop. It was small and nerdy and a great place to hang out. But Alabama went and created cottage food laws so now I can be legal, licensed, and insured to bake out of my own house. A kitchen upgrade and BOOM! Here we are. I miss the parties, but I don't miss the clean up. I miss the events but I don't miss the late nights. I'm making more money though, and spending more time with my kids so...

*Business went KABOOM!
I thought, naively, that closing the storefront would cause me to receive fewer orders. Heh. Nope. I'm busier than ever! Which is a blessing and a curse- I can be choosy about the projects I accept. I can accept more charity work. But I've already burned through one heating element in the double oven.  I don't post as many pictures as I used to. Partly because I'm too busy to take good pictures and partly because a lot of my orders are regularly occurring things and you guys don't want to see the same thing over and over.


*A change in Whimsy!
Where we used to throw magical parties and events with characters and cookies... now we've switched the focus of the Whimsy energy. My Fairy Godmother Game has leveled up as I am now a Wish Granter for Make a Wish Alabama. (You should check it out, it's a great cause!) We still support the community events like we always have: Auburn CityFest, The Back to School Bash, Opelika Fall Festival... we're still here! And, for the kidpots, we've created an Alabama chapter of the Galactic Academy! (Check it out if your kids are into Star Wars...)


*Pros and Cons...
Mostly cons. But cons as in conventions! We've been doing more traveling as a family and visiting all sorts of places for nerdy events. And, of course, I'm working on my class and responsibilities for Sweet Fest Con again this year. Seriously, the BEST convention for sweets makers... I'm so proud to be a part of it!
So... between the wedding cakes, birthday cakes, event cakes, karate classes, family travel, Wish granting, Galactic Academy formation, and the time involved in getting Darth Vader to visit the Children's Hospital... it's been busy. 

But, hey, I could use some orders for September!

Friday, May 12, 2017

How To Get a Job at a Bakery

I've been wanting to write this blog post for a while. I mean... I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. And I feel like I owe some people an explanation for why I looked like you were about to kick a puppy when you asked if we were hiring.

The Do's and Don't's of getting a job at a bakery.

DO prepare your correct contact information. 
A resume, a card, a post-it- something with your current, correct contact information is very helpful. Just your name, a phone number, and an email. It really stinks when you want to hire someone and they've misspelled their own email address.
This is not a trick question.
Allegedly.

Not that that ever happened.

DON'T come straight from the gym.

Bakeries have a certain smell to maintain, and if you come in straight from the gym (or a smoke break), you're going to send a signal that you won't be a good fit.

DO research the business before you come in.

Check out the place online, talk to friends, and find out what you can about the place before you head in. A little bit of preparation goes a long way! This could prevent you from the potentially embarrassing situation of asking, "Are you hiring? What do you do here?"


Also? If you see the place is covered with Star Wars and Doctor Who stuff, maybe don't brag about all the nerds you used to beat up in high school. Just thinking out loud here.

DON'T announce that you dislike cakes.

The first words out of your mouth to the bakery owner shouldn't be, "I don't even like cakes." And then, when you're not taken seriously later when you inquire about a job... at a cake shop... because you don't even like cakes... maybe don't have your family attack the baker over social media. Just a thought.

Allegedly.

DO prepare for the basic interview questions.

Be prepared to answer the following questions:
1. Why do you want to work here?
2. Why should I hire you?

These are the two most common questions in the history of jobs. I'm pretty sure God asked Noah these questions before He had him build the ark. "Why should I hire you?" is not an insult to your ancestors and should not make you feel hashtag triggered. Why does this need to be explained?

DON'T use other's people's cakes in your portfolio.

Why does this need to be said? If you are asked for pictures of your work, don't steal cake pictures off the internet. Partly because it's easy to tell and partly because it's just wrong.

You didn't make this for your daughter's birthday. Just stop.
This is not your cake. Wanna know how I know?


Because you're not Heather!


I mean... to be fair, this is pretty basic advice for any job you may want. It should be common sense. But apparently...

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Auburn-Opelika Party Guide

I don't want to claim I'm the birthday party expert. I mean... I hosted scores of parties at the bakery when we had a storefront. And I've made cakes for parties at just about every party venue in town. And my own kids have had or attended a ton of parties in this town. But I don't know everything! So if you know about a place I don't, please let me know! I always want to support local small businesses!

Since we're no longer offering parties at Cakeapotamus, I feel like I should put some info out there about other party venues- especially party venues where you can celebrate indoors in the winter. Here are my recommendations:  (p.s. we offer free delivery of birthday cakes to any of the venues listed below)

CyberZone (grade schoolers-spry grandmas)
CZ is owned by Simon and Elaine. They're super nice people who are into geeky stuff like we are! A CyberZone birthday party is laser tag, video games, and pizza. The trifecta of early adolescence... and mid-life crises.
My family has had several adventures at CyberZone... but that's a story for another time.



Premier Spirit Academy (toddlers-grade schoolers and older kids interested in gymnastics)
Mr. Frank is the nicest man, you guys. Call him up and schedule a tumbling party. I think I had one or two parties here for my kids when they were little. Super fun, indoors, and the kids get to run around and wear themselves out.


Escape Zones (older kids-grandmas)
We we here for MY birthday, y'all. Where do you take the person who plans birthdays for a living? Escape Zones. The owners are super nice and are actually around during events. I love it when the owner knows what's going on, ya know?
We went with a mixed group of adults and kids and everyone had a blast. And no, it's not scary.

Bounce Zone (littles)
Bounce Zone is in the same place at CyberZone. Same owners, same great service. This is better for littler kids though- it's the indoor inflatables playground. Another good place to let the kids run themselves ragged. 


O Town Ice Cream (littles-grandmas)
I know it probably sounds like I'm only mentioning places where I am friends with the owners, but there are a whole lot of really awesome people in the Auburn/Opelika area who own small businesses. Love the owners of this place! It's got fancy ice cream flavors and traditional favorites. They have a really colorful party room where you can celebrate with your friends. This is a good venue for parties with the Snow Queen and her sister, by the way. 

Once Upon a Whimsy
Those characters who came to parties at the bakery? The princesses, the pirates, the mad scientist, the super heroes? They're here. You guys know that I was VERY particular about who I let perform at the bakery. These are the good ones, both in costume and out. You can book your favorite character to come to your event at any of these venues!

The Skate Center (kids of all ages)
Because everything old is new again... it's a roller skating party! Music, weird light, 4 wheels, and some snack bar food- you'll feel like it's 1985 all over again. But better... because remember that hair? Yeesh. This is another good, active, indoor one for the kids.

Auburn Mixed Martial Arts (kids of all ages)
I've only delivered cakes here, never stayed for a party, so I know it's indoors, active, and the people are really nice.

Auburn Academy of Martial Arts (kids of all ages)
Same. Never stayed for a party, just delivered cakes. But it's indoors, active, and the people are nice.
Other places that have parties but I've never been there so I don't know how they are:

My Gym (littles)
I think this is like a toddler gym? I hear a lot of good things about it.

Spirited Art (older kids- grandmas)
I think this is like Sips 'n' Strokes used to be? I haven't been, but I've heard it's tons of fun, especially for adults.

The Bowling Alley (kids-grandmas)
I think... I think... we went bowling here before we were married. It's been a while- and now I'm a pansy about doing things that make my hands tired. I know. But this is a pretty popular venue these days- totally worth checking out.

New Year, New Blog Name, New Kitchen, Same Me

Lets just call it like it is. I'm a procrasti-baker. When I'm writing here, it's usually because I have a cake I'm supposed to be working on. Maybe I should be making icing... maybe I should be making sugar flowers... maybe I should be cleaning something. But I'm here, spreading my joy and whimsy to the interwebs.

You're welcome.

At this exact moment, I'm not actually procrastibaking. I'm writing while things are in the oven.

I would be so much more creative if I were avoiding work. Huh.

Business is good. I'm limiting my orders so I don't burn out. I've got some classes and travel in the works... so far, everything looks good! Yay for moving the bakery!