Owner of Failing Business - Feeling Helpless

A little history behind my bakery - As a stay at home mom, I started a home-based cake business over a year ago to help with expenses. Although I was a new comer to a small town and did not have the initial support of friends and family, my business quickly became well known and I was a successful, highly sought after at home baker.

After a year of decorating cakes and cupcakes from home, a local restaurant owner came to me with a proposal of opening a cupcake shop in an extra space they had for rent at a reasonable price. One catch came with "cheap" rent... we were restricted to sell "solely desserts" as they did not want competition (soon after opening our landlords informed us that apparently coffee and drinks is considered competition. This at the time upset me, but now I find it quite humorous).

We went ahead and signed the contract as we - being my husband and me - felt God had dropped this opportunity in our laps. It seemed as if everything was falling into place. God had closed the door for our home based business (we were informed that it is illegal to serve the public any type of food product when it does not come from an "industrial" kitchen) and felt He was opening every door and window to move into the store front.

Only three months later, we quickly realize that cupcakes are not in high enough demand in our small town to pay all overhead expenses that come with a store front. We are losing approximately $200- 300 a day just by being open. My husband's job barely pays our expenses, much less the expenses of the bakery. And our extra loan money quickly dwindled away. We are facing the reality of closing our business in literally just weeks. This will put a huge financial turmoil on family for many years to come and I can't help but feel 100% responsible.

I have tried everything within my power (aka, contract) to bring more revenue to the shop. Nothing is working and I am feeling desperate, helpless and hopeless. The circumstances have taken a toll on me emotionally and mentally... To the point to where I've become physically sick over the stress and I cry constantly. I've become very bitter wondering why God "threw" this opportunity at me only to close the door shortly after. I know this is not God's fault (I should be rejoicing that He even gave me the opportunity to live my life long dream even if for a short while), yet my mind keeps asking why and what was the purpose of this adventure.

My heart's desirous prayer is that there will be a tremendous pick up in sales before July 20th - this is when our quarterly taxes are due and we will lose literally everything left in our account. However, if God sees fit to close this chapter in my life, I pray the He will give me the strength to deal with it and the wisdom and clarity to see His reasoning and goodness behind this. Please help me pray. I need many, many prayer warriors! Thank you!

I'm so sorry. I am happy to be one of your prayer warriors! It's so hard, but I admire your faith. How wonderful to say you can see God has a plan, and you are just asking for strength and wisdom. I am praying alongside you that you pick up sales before 7/20. I have been where you are. I recently closed down a preschool, (I did not own it) but my whole heart was invested. How bad did I want sales in children 4ft and under? Pretty bad. God's blessings on you.

Your 25, your finances looked like they are going to be tight, but you are predicting that. I hope the tax is relatively low, considering your claiming your taxable income is non-existant.

That you have gained such an experience, is invaluable. Market segments are unlikely to provide substantial differences in sales, but personal innovation can find you other segments. Really, all I hope for you is that you have the will and pride in yourself to keep in control, even if that means consolidating what you have, but hopefully improving what you've got.

I will pray for you that God helps you to be independent and happy in these times. Since this is also at many times I earnestly seek.

Where can I order a dozen?

Hugs, praying for all you ask in Jesus's name.
Have you considered contacting local resturants to see if you can develop a dessert service to them?
Just an idea if you havnt already tried.

Hugs and hope for you
God bless
pickles

Have you thought of moving to a place where you can sell your cakes without the overhead?
- Outside of a municipality, outside of a certain taxcode, maybe even in a different state?
Leave the restaurant at once!
(See how you were successful until you came under the cloak of that restaurant?)
"Oh...but I can't sell out of my house!" - Then move to a place where you can!
- - -You must understand, this was just a lesson, it's not the end....NOT BY ANY MEANS!

- - - - Until then, plead the blood of Jesus which was shed for you. - Small fry to God - He deals with this every day.

bakerylady,

I do understand where you are at. Part of what is at the heart of this is this is test of trust. One of the toughest tests we will ever go through. It's easy to trust Him when everything is going well,not so easy when it seems like everything is falling apart.

Four times I have had it where it seemed like things were getting so bad I struggled with whether the Lord wants me to do this business or not. (Two of the factors that go with this is I do work out the home,I was also my parents care givers,my father passed on a few years back and I still take of my mom,the other is my right shoulder is shot and because of the weight restrictions it will make it very difficult if I have to look for a job outside of this business)

The things I have had to learn the hard way in all of this,the first we can not be unequally yoked to unbelievers. So the first question is was the contract you signed with unbelievers? Two the contract you signed has put you in a very bad situation as the income you can take is limited to a small product line. One get out of that contract it is a noose around around your neck.

This should actually be the first question,does the Lord want you to be in the business in the first place? Maybe I can see this a bit different then most,when we "work" for ourselves we really are not,it's His business,we are only stewards of it.
He is our boss so to speak. Place the business into His hands and then we have to learn to let go of our control. A matter of trust.

Three when we get to a place where are getting tight we also have to learn to deal with trying to get by on at times a whole lot less. Which means having to through the business expenses and personal expenses and getting rid of all the stuff that is not a need. Which means asking for wisdom. He has promised to give us the wisdom we if we ask.

I do understand as over the last about 15 months I have been at about $2,000 or less per month gross sales. I am blessed in that the house and car are paid off (I do live with my mom and they are hers) but out of that I do pay room and board,all the business and personal bills. Not easy to do. Is it frustrating of course.

But the thing that always comes to mind is this this question "Do you trust me,even in the midst of this?"

If it wasn't for the Lord I would no clue as to how I am getting through this,because I shouldn't be.

Praying for you that He will give you the wisdom you need,that He would provide for the taxes,and He would give you the strength to get through this. (As the business is not doing well at this time you should get a lot of that back next year) I do understand about that also because I too have been struggling to make the estimated payments on the taxes. (Doesn't matter if the business is doing well this year or not we base it off of last years taxes. Thanks a lot guys you sure know how to help someone out.)

Bakerylady:

I will be praying for you. I hope you realize that whatever the outcome..God still loves you. There is good in every situation. I can tell you one good thing thus far.. The fact that your situation brought you to this website is one good thing. I was in a very desperate, hopeless, situation..which lead me to join this website and post a prayer request. The situation is not totally over, but it is getting better. Because of this situation, it brought me to this website to hear, and minister to other individuals going through various circumstance.

Basically, what im saying is once God has resolve, or given you peace, on this issue, you are now part of an online group of believer who can testify, pray, and hear each others request. This is a good thing. Had I not gone through, what I went through, I would have never heard your request and others to pray for. This is a good thing."All things work together for good,for those who all called accor to his purpose"

Yes, I have. I've been told they're interested, but put on the back burner.

I'm new to this so I'm not sure how to reply to each individual response (not great with computers ha ha). But I would like to thank each of you for your prayers, advice and words of encouragement. RickyZ our contact info. is under our facebook page: Autumn's Gourmet Baby Cakes. My previous reply was meant in response for pickles. Thank you all!

Bakerylady,

If you want to respond to a certain post,look at the bottom right under that post (In the grey line),just click the reply with quote button,and you can answer that person directly.

Hi
I have learned how to live the Christian life, not the Christian life style. I am blessed beyond your imagination and can help you learn how to do this.

If you will contact me, I can tell how I learned to live the christian life correctly and am being blessed everyday.

This thread is a year old. The OP has not logged in since Oct 2013. Please be careful before responding to threads that are not on the front page as they may be out of date.

haha Ugly is onto it..

Yeah, the cupcakes are stale too. I just chipped a tooth biting into one.

I'm praying for you and your life ahead. God bless you.