Business isn't always all roses and chocolate

As a tribute to my single status, I had planned on an Anti-Valentine's Day girls night out with a friend. Ha! I should know the cake business had plans of its own. After a 200-cupcake tree, doll cake, tennis shoes cake, heart cake and a two-tiered birthday cake, I was beat! I had to cancel. Luckily, my friend understood and took a raincheck.

On one of my favorite cake forums, established business owners will always warn us newbies that starting a business is like starting a new life. There is so much to learn and do in order to have a successful business. Most of the hardest work is done before one even opens the door. I'm talking of competitive research, researching marketing strategies, researching your target audience, establishing your business' identity, etc... The list literally can go on for days. As hard and overwhelming as it is, these 'to-dos' are necessities.

So where am I in the process? I am in the middle of it all. I've already put my foot through the door. Whether I was invited or not, I love the party and I'm won't be going anywhere for a while. Is it tiresome? Do I sometimes wish I can rid myself of the party clothes and just veg-out on the couch? Absolutely. But as any girl will tell you, we will suffer for the sake of fashion. I will suffer for the sake of having a successful business. My family knows this. My friends know this. And now you know it.

As of next week, I will start a business course specifically designed for small/marco business owners. This is a huge step in further developing and expanding my business ideas. (Yes, I said ideas.) It's nerve-wrecking, but worth it. I'm living a life I love and I am determined to make the best of it.

Full-time job + starting business + volunteerism = NO TIME

If someone would have told me six years ago that I would be opening my own business, I would have found it hard to believe. Six years my mind was deadset on being a reporter. I envisioned myself working for The Kansas City Star or a local television news station. Running a custom bakery was definitely not in the plans. But as we all know things happens and plans change. And quite honestly, I could not be any happier.

These past few weeks have been CRAZY and AWESOME! Not only have we been able to put together some great school and church events, we've helped support other local businesses and artists in the process. While this is also a bit of a 'downtime' in terms of cake orders, it does not mean I've rested! On the contrary! I've met with a new customers for their 2010 weddings and quinceañera and equally exciting, I'm developing new products. These new products are going to be great for when the store opens.

I don't think anyone in the process of opening or developing their new business fully knows what to expect. On one of my favorite cake forums, the question of "how to start a business" comes up all the time. I always want to scream - say good-bye to weekends, Friday nights, family and so much more. And really this can go for any business. If you want to open a business, you have to be willing to make sacrifices.

New Menu Ideas

French Toast Maple Bacon Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by Kreaciones Kity

I know I've talked all summer about the opening of Jose Fiestas Rental, but it's taken longer than we ever anticipated. This has truly been a big step for us all and while there have been times that we're grown impatient, we know when all is said and done it's going to be great! 

The experience is also exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time. I know I'll pretty much have to give up my weekends (not that I don't already). Demands will be higher, expenses will add up more quickly and it won't be so easy to finish things up at 2 or 3 in the morning and then just head up on to bed. But on the plus side, I am SUPER excited to expand the business!  Jose Fiestas Rental customers will know get to know Kreaciones Kity and vice versa. I can't think of any other party shop in town that offers people what we will be offering.

So on this train of thought, the Kreaciones Kity menu will be expanding on so many levels! We're talking gelatina, a wider variety of cupcakes, Mexican treats and who knows what else. I have so many ideas in mind as to what I want to offer. Family and friends are either going to love or hate me during this waiting period. I'll be testing out new recipes and perfecting skills they have yet to see. They will be my test tasters - for better or worse :)

Talk about busy!

It's been a while but boy has it been busy!

First have you checked out the new flickr account? Check out www.flickr.com/kreacioneskity. I'll slowly be moving the entire photo gallery there. It's been a slowly but steady process. It's MUCH easier to access and much more user-friendly than the Myspace gallery. I won't change anything from the Myspace account, so consider the flickr page a supplement.

Secondly, don't forget to follow me on Twitter. Go to www.twitter.com/kreacioneskity. When you login you be sure to send me an invite to cristina@kreacioneskity.com so I can follow you as well.

Thirdly, Jose Fiestas Rental is almost opening. Anyone that has opened a storefront knows that opening is much easier said than done. Trust me though, it is going to be AMAZING! Imagine one place to get all your party party rental equipment, party supplies, cakes and so much more. It's going to be unbelievable! Trust me on this one.

And finally, mark your calendars. Kansas City Quinceañera is working to put together a quinceañera expo. This is the perfect opportunity to meet a great group of vendors all working to give you a great event! Not planning a quinceañera? No worries. If you are planning any sort of event, you need to come to this. DJs, reception halls, musicians, photographers - you name it - and there will be a vendor there. It's tentatively scheduled for September 26, 2009. Once I have all the details, I will pass them along. In the meantime, check out Kansas City Quinceañera at http://kcquinceanera.ning.com/. This is a GREAT resource for anyone have a party.

Sorry for the lack of pictures this time around. I do have one special treat - an oldie but a goodie. Theya's Surprise cupcakes. I LOVE these cupcakes!!! Remember, you can only get these from Kreaciones Kity. :)

As always, much love. Hit me up for your cupcake and cake orders. Peace out!

P.S. On Sept. 22, I'll be taking a class with Bronwen Weber! Yes, Bronwen Weber - Food Network Challenge competitor and winner. I am super excited about it! I'll be creating a 3D Cowboy Cake. AWESOME!!!! I'll definitely be posting after it happens.

Now really - much love and peace out!

I know when your birthday is, I guess you should know more about me

I held off as much as I could in adding the "About Cristina" section to http://www.kreacioneskity.com/. I've never been a big fan of the section on other sites, but came to fufill the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" theory. I caved. Then I realized, I should share more about myself and what I believe. I'm a strong believer in supporting causes and businesses that you believe in and the only way people are going to believe in Kreaciones Kity is knowing more about me.

I'm not going to rehash the "About Cristina" section - I'll let you read it for yourself. One thing I don't mention in it is my education. I have a B.A. in Communication and Spanish with a minor in Journalism from Rockhurst University (Go Hawks!). Quite a different step from owning a custom bakery, huh? The passion is the same, though. The ability to visually create something that is going to inform or bring a happiness to someone is a great feeling. Taking a step back to read a finished article or an edible piece of artistry gives me a level of joy and satisfaction like no other.

But so how did I leap from writing B2B articles on agriculture to making cakes? Simple - corporate layoffs. After leaving the agriculture magazine, I took a much needed break to do some soul-searching and figuring out what I wanted my next step to be. I knew I needed to pursue a more creative outlet. Come into play my longtime love of cooking and baking - and ta-dah! Kreaciones Kity is born.

What lies ahead only God knows. I thank Him everyday for what He has given me in this life. He has given me more than I asked for or could have ever imagined. I only hope I am making Him proud. And while only He knows what lies ahead, I am taking the gifts He gave me and making some goals. When I think of what I want to achieve I'm unable to contain the excitement. If I'm able to achieve all my dreams - DUDE, IT'LL BE FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

So, there, now you know a little more about me and where I come from. Maybe this will make you more inclined to support Kreaciones Kity. Maybe I just talked about myself for a really long time. Either way - I hope you enjoyed it.

As always, hit me up for your cakes and peace out!

I need some R&R!!

Man, I so need some R&R. I've got another big cake weekend coming up.

I'm about to hit the grocery store to do the shopping and picking up other materials. I'm really excited about the two big cakes of the week - they've got an awesome classic design to them!

Then I have my nephew's b-day and Father's Day - gifts and cakes to worry about! It's all good though.

But DUDE, some awesome news - Jose Fiestas Rental's shop is coming along nicely!!!! It's so great. They'll be located on 9th street in KCMO and it'll pretty much be your one-stop party shop. You'll be able to pick up your tables, chairs, moonwalks, tablecloths, food chafer and other rentals there as well as other party supplies. We're talking ballons, plastic tablecloths, candles - everything! And the awesome thing - I'll in their in-house baker! Yup! You'll get to pick up your custom cakes and cupcakes and even pick up some last minute pastries. Definitely a VERY exciting thing. I haven't gotten around to take photos of the place (combo of no time and camera still messing up), but as soon as I get some, I'll post them.

So yes, it's an exciting time - I'm loving it!

As always, hit me up for those cake orders - peace out!