well the journey so far has been so much more time consuming than I ever could have managed. I cannot tell you how much respect I have for people who run their own business as there are so many variants to consider and keep on top of! I am loving being my own boss and having a complete departure from my old day job! I love what I am doing but it is challenging as you are totally responsible for motivating yourself.
I am learning every day and people are so supportive sending me articles, tip and ideas. I would love to hear your thoughts on all things cupcakes and on running a business as you can never have enough of these...
You are doing an awesome job; very proud of you! Any magazine articles to show us yet? I am sure that word of mouth is one of your most powerful means of promotion. It sounds as though things are really taking off locally. You've made such good progress in such a short amount of time!
ReplyDeleteBec. xoxo
Glad to see how well it's all going for you! Here's to independent women in business! (and cake!)
ReplyDeletehere's my first cupcake rant...
ReplyDeleteborn and bred on the other side of the channel, cupcakes were a new concept to me until recently. indeed, mille-feuilles, religieuses, choux a la creme and the likes were my vice. sadly, the pale British attempts at French patisserie along with the mere 2-3 bingeing trips per year to the homeland did not keep the craving alive... which left me with an open mind to try some of the (imported) delicacies at hand.
my first taste of a cupcake was about 3 years ago at Peyton & Byrne, a small counter of all things nice and edible, nestled between Heal's and Habitat on Tottenham Court Road in London. Divine! a good balance of sponge and vanilla butter frosting (of perfect consistency), which left me wanting more. Enthused by this first taste, i sadly have had my tastebuds bruised many a times since, confusing the glossy appeal of colour- pretty frosted cakes nested in a cup...
Hence why I now tread carefully... Yes, cupcakes have to be appealing!! But they should not burst out of their casing messily, and the decorations should not distract too much from the butter frosting, which should hold itself nice and proud hence be applied by a masterful hand!
Forever lusting over the Urban Bakery's creations and again, blaming distance, for being unable to sample its products, I decided to have a got at it myself. Oh yeah you might say, a batch of cupcakes for one of those over-indulgent afternoon tea... Oh no. For my 5 year old birthday party!!! Why i ask myself, I've never tried to make a mille-feuille before...?! No idea, but I thought baking cupcakes would be a good idea and a doodle... Well, I tried. The sponge was fine but jesus, the frosting DID MY HEAD IN. So I cheated, settled for the mini casings, hence less piping effort for the wrist and of course, I called onto Mr Marks & Spencer as back up for the birthday cake...
leave it to the professionals, leave it to the Urban Bakery, that's what i say!
forever dribbling yours
m
xx
am working on some magazine inclusions - funny enough they are all keen on getting samples ( I would do the same!!). I am being pimped beautifully by my amazing friends and family as they are spreading the word!! Until you start to work so closely with something it is amazing how consuming it can be - especially any thing that can be eaten.
ReplyDeleteMichelle you crack me up you mad beautiful French lady!!! I wish I was closer so I could satisfy your requirements as even M&S just won't do! Just to stop the dribbling at least as this is not a good look on such an otherwise normal looking face!!!! more rants soon please - about anything you like!
ReplyDeletebake love not war xxxx
Oooh timing! the urban bakery will be featured on www.enterprisenation.com sometime this week. Q&A with the urban bakery. Will share the link when up. Big shout out to Loz (Lorraine Hampson) for pointing me to this resource - you beauty!
ReplyDeletecheck me out! First interview with the urban bakery. http://www.enterprisenation.com/detail/QA_with_The_Urban_Bakery/3084/1.aspx
ReplyDeleteReally pleased with it to be honest. Not looking forward to the Press Release that has been done on the urban bakery as the fromage photo to accompany is totally grim...why the need for such a contrived shot - I look like a right wrongen...