10/06/2026
After 17 years of creating cakes, building a teeny tiny home based business, and pouring countless hours of my heart and creativity into something that once brought me so much joy, I find myself at a crossroads.
For a long time, I told myself I could keep pushing through. I could balance a full-time job with late nights, early mornings, weekends, endless messages, shopping, baking, decorating, cleaning, delivering, and all the behind thescenes work that goes into creating something that looks effortless when it finally reaches the customer.
But the truth is, I am tired. I am 53 years old with ALOT on my plate. More than most even realize. You all have seen the tired me coming out to greet you at pick up in my pajamas, messy hair, coffee breath and giant bags under my eyes. I never ever would greet a customer like that in the past….why am I doing it now?
This isn’t an easy industry. It has changed, and honestly so have I. The competition can be fierce and caddy,and at times, it has become less about the joy of creating and more about constantly trying to keep up…. To be seen, to be referred , to create new ideas.
There are sooo many amazing customers who genuinely appreciate the time, talent, and effort that goes into what I do, and I am incredibly grateful for them. But there are also times when my time and effort have felt undervalued whether it’s last minute expectations, difficult circumstances, or 2 nd half payments not paid that go unnoticed because I am simply too overwhelmed trying to keep everything moving.
Running a business while working a full-time job has taken a toll. I have spent far too many days and nights working myself into the ground, often putting my own rest, time, and wellbeing at the bottom of the list. I take care of everyone but myself . My physical and mental health is suffering. My Blood pressure is through the roof, I am going for stress tests. My arthritis is starting to effect my hands which are a huge part of what makes me good at what I do.
And perhaps the hardest part to admit is this:
Something that once brought me so much happiness, no longer brings me the same joy.
That realization has been difficult.
Seventeen years is a long time. There is a lot of history, a lot of love, a lot of memories, and an incredible amount of work wrapped up in those years. I am proud of what I have built, proud of how far I have come, proud of the cakes that left my kitchen, every milestone I was trusted to be a part of, and every customer who allowed me to create something special for them.
So, with this said …..I am seriously considering whether it is time to close this chapter.
I don't know exactly what the future looks like yet, and I’m not making this decision lightly. Part of me feels guilty even considering walking away from something I have worked so hard to build. But another part of me knows that sometimes recognizing when something is no longer sustainable isn't giving up, it’s giving yourself permission to breathe.
Maybe it is time to choose balance over burnout?
Maybe it is time to make room for something new?
Maybe I just need to take a 6 month hiatus?
And maybe, after 17 years, it is okay to acknowledge that I have given this business everything I had.
I am incredibly grateful for the journey, for the lessons, for the creativity, and most of all, for the people who have supported me along the way.
Whatever I ultimately decide, ( which I am still debating) I will always be proud of the little business I built from the ground up and the 17 years of memories that came with it. ❤️
