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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!
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!