Questions Answered in this Episode

• • How do you make the decision to take a side gig to a full-time job?
    
  • How does Rachel combat self-doubt?
    
  • What are the best ways to make connections in the wedding industry when you’re starting out?

Show Notes

Messy Success Episode 7:
Taking the Leap to Be a Full-Time Baker
Meet Rachel of Rachel Bakes

This week, I’m SO excited for you to get to know my sister-in-law, Rachel Henson! Rachel just took her part-time baking business full-time and in this episode we talk about everything from her favorite thing to bake and what she loves best about her craft, making the transition from hobby baker, to professional, to full-time baker, and how to combat self-doubt.

On Getting Out of Her Comfort Zone

“It’s hard when you’ve been raised in an environment where you go to school, you get a job, and you work Monday through Friday an work provides everything. It’s definitely a different mindset and you have to get yourself out of that and out of that comfort zone. It’s about having the confidence to believe that you can do more…. It’s definitely a roller coaster!”

On Making the Decision to Go Full-Time

“It was a hard decision. I went back and forth a lot. Then as business started to pick up, I was stretching myself kind of thin. I was suffering, my clients were suffering, and my job was suffering. It wasn’t fair to anyone anymore. […] I can go get another job if this doesn’t work out, but I think I owed it to myself to at least try!”

On Getting Her Foot in the Door in the Wedding Industry

“When I started doing styled shoots, that helped a lot. It gave me the opportunity to get product in people’s mouths by doing styled shoots and bringing a real cake, for example. And finding vendors I could work with. Wedding planners have been key for me for helping spread the word. […] Relationships have helped. With clients, I feel like I have a good enough relationship with them. I can ask them about their kids, ask them what’s going on. I think that’s key. These are relationships that are being built. It may not be a consistent relationship in the sense that you’re talking to them every week, but they know where to get the product from and they feel comfortable with you.”

Takeaways

• When you’re starting out, find vendors you can work with and develop relationships with them.
• Don’t give into self-doubt! Do your research and lean into the momentum your business has or you might lose it.
• You might have to get out of your comfort zone, but that’s not a bad thing!
  

Important Links & Resources

Rachel Henson of  Rachel Bakes
IG:  www.instagram.com/rachel.bakes
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rachel.bakes06

Her next workshop:   https://arworkshop.com/newportnews/events/mermaid-cake-decorating-workshop/

End of Episode shout out:

Sophie of Salt Hippy:  www.salthippy.com
IG:  www.instagram.com/salthippy
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/salthippy/

The Imperfect Blogging Workshop: http://elizabethhensonphotos.com/imperfect-blogging-for-the-creative-dreamers-online-workshop/