31/12/2023
LONG POST ALERT ‼️
Rachel’s Cake Studio is now CLOSED for the foreseeable future.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and Happy new year to you.
It’s the end of 2023 and I will be starting off 2024 very differently compared to previous years of the last decade or so. I decided that I needed to make some big changes in my life and breaking away from my cake business was one of them. There’s a multitude of reasons why, mostly personal but the economic situation has also played a part in my final decision. I won’t bore you with all the details but as of now I am officially closed/on hiatus. This was by no means an easy decision and I had been considering it for quite sometime. I may well attempt a comeback at some point, in some capacity, I’m not completely closing the door. I’m not exactly sure what the future will hold for me in respect of caking but I do know I need an extended breather and this particular chapter is closed!
I officially started the business in 2010 alongside a full time job and did that for about 5 years. In 2015 I gave up full time work and in 2018 I got the studio on Springwood Industrial Estate and was there for over 5 and a half years. I honestly never imagined back in the beginning it would go this far and it’s been a rollercoaster. The highs have been high and the lows could be quite low. Unless you’ve run a similar business yourself, it’s hard for the majority of people to understand the immense hard work and long hours that go on behind the scenes…It ain’t no 9-5 and it’s not just making pretty things! However, I’ve learnt so much and gained experience I’d never have had if I’d not done this, I really pushed myself to limits I did not know extended that far 😮
So…I know I’m not winning an Oscar here but I would like to practice some gratitude and say some thanks’… (in no particular order!)
* Thank you to anyone who supported my business over the last 13 years, be that from placing orders or engaging on social media regularly
* Thank you to Katrina Porter who worked with me for over two years, was super reliable and hardworking and put up with my antics!
* Thank you to my long suffering manfriend Adam
who has dealt with me being on this particular journey with patience (a-lot of), kindness and support. Sorry about those late night stress calls and tears.
• Thank you to my sister for listening to my endless contemplations and my brother in law for helping with all those handyman jobs.
* Thank you to my corporate clients such as Rutherford Briant Recruitment. I loved working with professional organisations and appreciated the business.
* Thank you to my fellow cake making friends for all the s**t shooting! 🍰
* Thank you to suppliers like on the cake front and Crafty Bubble for their help and supplying the best products and service
* Thank you to Sarah at The Cupcake Oven for sharing her expertise and providing excellent coaching
* An extra big thank you to all of those returning customers, I would see some you several times a year and some of you would pop up every few years. Either way, It meant the world to me to have your repeat business. I’m genuinely really sorry I didn’t have a chance to say thank you and goodbye to most of you in person before I finished - I send you much love, thanks and best wishes for the future.❤️
For your future occasion cake requirements I can recommend the following local ladies:
Lorraine at Lozzie Hakes Bakes Braintree
Maria at Maria Summers Cake Design Coggeshall
Nicola at Butterfly Bakery Witham
Farewell for now! 👋
Rachel 🧁
