I'm loving today's guest dessert table feature from Glory of Glorious Treats. Glory sent me these pictures early this week and I've been dying to share them with you. Glory created a strawberry theme party for her niece's 9th birthday party. I love the fondant strawberries, the custom cups, and the fresh strawberry favors with strawberry ribbon. Wonderful execution, Glory! Glory was also kind to share her strawberry cream cheese frosting recipe here.
Speaking of guest dessert tables, a few people have asked me why I promote other people's work on my blog. The truth is, I like to promote small businesses. I've been pretty lucky to have my business take off in just a few short years and I'd love to impart what I've learned along the way. I get a lot of inquiries from people who are starting their own businesses about how I started. I'll have a lot to say about this in my new "Ask Amy" section, which you'll all see on my new blog in a few weeks.
In the meantime, I'll give you my first tip. Take the time to evaluate if you really have a business. I can't tell you how many times my husband said his famous quote "Is it a hobby or a business?" All of you starting a new business know what I'm talking about. He gave me tough love in the beginning, but I'm grateful for it now. He had me present a real business model to him as if he was an outside investor. This forced me to really think about whether I had a business. Thankfully, at one point, things clicked and we both knew it turned from a hobby to a business. Don't think there weren't bumps along the road. There were and still are. I'll get into that another day.
In the meantime, here were the first things that I thought about...
(1) Who is the customer or market?
(2) What is the product or service?
(3) Where is the business based and does location matter?
(4) How can the business be executed profitably?
(5) What's the barrier to entry and why is the business sustainable?
Can you answer those questions for your business? Food for thought over the weekend... I'll be back to show you some behind-the-scenes next week (right now I'm blogging in a cab while propping for a magazine shoot and we're off to our next stop!) Have a great weekend everyone!
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30 comments:
Glory is super creative and I just love this Strawberry table she created.
Oh wow! That is adorably perfect! I really dig the ruffly edged cake stands and those cupcakes are so perfectly executed -- to die for! Great colours and execution -- fab job!
So excited about your Ask Amy column. The question your husband asked you is a question I've asked myself - a gazillon times. Tough questions there, but starting a business is tough love. I can't tell you how many times I've baked batches and batches of macarons for hours and comparing it to my hourly rate when I was in my computer job. It's depressing. But I've gotten better and faster and streamlined the procedures. And now I've expanded to dessert tables....hurry up and write a book, Amy. :)
That strawberry dessert table is gorgeous!
You're so awesome and a true inspiration Amy! My hubby gave me some tough love as well and made my create and present a full blown business plan to him! I'm so grateful that he did. He also helped me set realistic expectations for this first year and keep me focused when I start trying to take on the world! Maybe that is another secret to a thriving business? Having a partner (doesn't have to husband) but someone that helps you, challenges you, and supports you through all of the ups and downs!
Thank you for posting this!
Ebony
P.S. love the dessert table, I have those pedestals and i love them!
Gorgeous work from another very talented designer! I love your work of course and think you are an amazing inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous designs with all of us, but also for sharing your expertise and wisdom for other small business owners like myself. It is definitely worth more than I have words for!
And now, I've got a question already. Dessert tables look pretty because they are uncluttered. But if you have a dessert table that would serve 200 then you don't want to put all the desserts out. Whose responsibility is it to refill the table, the venue's waitstaff or do you have a person there (whose rate is included in the price of the dessert table). Or do you supervise the event from beginning to end?
I'm not on desert tables business (nor even food business - in fact, not even a business, lol - so far!!), but I love to hear business experiences. I'm trying to turn a hobby - or better saying, a passion - into a business - and knowing the real world of a business is the kind of info not everyone shares - specially the bumps! Amy, by sharing you show how great and successful you are. Thank you in advance!
thanks for the food for thought, Amy! i appreciate you sharing those questions and i always love looking at and reading your blog.
Gorgeous, what a super clever idea for a party. Well done Glory!
Hmmmmm yes, hobby or business, that is the question. Probably not a question I am willing to answer at this point, I cling to "hobby" as my escape hatched I think, in case I "stuff" up. Thank you very much for the advice, certainly made me think harder for today.
Love it! So so cute. I'm craving some sweets now.
Wow! Glory is amazing! and so are you!
I am super excited you are going to be giving advice to small business owners. I just recently stepped out on faith and quit my job in an industry which I have worked for 24 years to help my sister grow her business. We can answer the first five questions. Can't wait to read the next blog.
I am super excited that you are going to be giving advice to small business owners. I recently stepped out on faith and quit my job in an industry which I have worked for 24 years to help my sister grow her business. We can answer the first five questions. Can't wait for more!
Amy, thanks so much for the new "Ask Amy" section. I cannot wait. For someone who's trying to kick off a business,insight from people like you is invaluable. Thanks again
What a great job! I can't wait for the Ask Amy section. Have a great weekend!
Oh my goodness why do you have to make everything look so yummy and drool worthy! YUM!
Thanks so much for sharing your small business tips. It's such a great feeling when people like yourself are willing to share their experiences with others. I can't wait to see your Ask Amy section, definitely looking forward to it.
Ohhhhh ADORABLY!
You are an amazing inspiration.
I can't wait to see your Ask Amy section.
Eliete
Glory - this is a beautiful dessert table! I love the attention to detail and also that you incorporated fresh fruit. Strawberries are so sweet this time of year, they really are like dessert.
Amy - funny that you ask the "business vs. hobby" question. I love to cook and bake, and people tell me all the time that I should quit my day job and just bake, event plan, blog... you name it. But honestly, as much as I love those things, they are really just a hobby for me! I can't imagine ever doing those things f/t as a career. I do them for joy and fun, and I like it that way. I'll leave the event planning to experts like you and Glory. ;)
love the table! very creative. I love the ask Amy idea it'sgreat. I do mobie,spa parties and have a entry table I decorate, and go up and down fast, just wondering how or what you use portable to steam linens I find they are nice when I leave but wrinkes or creases when set up
I totally heart strawberries!! This party is soo cute!! LOVE it!
Oh, and this new section "Ask Amy" should be fun! Can't wait!!
Love,
Bird
Hi Amy - can't wait to hear more in the Ask Amy section - my constant question to myself (and from my husband) is the hobby vs business one - I always fear that once it is a business it will no longer be as much fun - I also wonder who are those people that would pay money to actually make it worthwhile - this party/dessert table planning is so time consuming - great fun and very rewarding but it takes time to get the right products! Leanne xx
Hi Amy,
I really love your work!!! Wonderful job! I wonder if you are able to share with me about the brand of printer or plotter that you use to make all your labels and paper work, since I am in Brazil and it's very hard to find specific stuff around here... Looking forward your reply.. Kind regards... and wishes of a wonderfull week start....
would love to know how you started your business and look forward to your "ask amy" segment of your blog. In the meantime can you tell me what you use for your backdrops in your dessert table pictures?
Can't wait for this feature! It's so great of you to help out small businesses!
Wow - Love the strawberry theme! Are those marzipan??
http://ladulcivida.blogspot.com/
I didn't have time to read the post, just time for a quick glance at the photos ... are you kidding me???? The strawberries on the cupcakes!!! BIG, FAT, SMILE!!!!
this is STUNNING . hmm i think this just might be the theme of my next party ..
So in love with all this!
Amy you are great! Really an Inspiration for me! I love what you do for a living, I tried a thousand times to start a business here were I live but I guess I need motivation, I am 26 now but since I was a teenage this kind of business has been my inspiration. I check everyday your blog and also the sites of all the people or businesses you promote (are great all of them) I hope one day I can meet you. I am from Ecuador in South America and I am the official party decorator of my big family and you are always my inspiration! Thank you!
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