5 Hard Truths I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Baking Business
(And What I’d Do Differently Now)
Meta Description: Before launching your dream cake biz or merch line, read these 5 brutally honest lessons I learned the hard way. From hidden costs to burnout and email list regrets—this is what I wish someone told me.
Before you launch that cute little business of yours—whether it’s cakes, stickers, or merch—please read this.
This isn’t gatekeeping. It’s the tea I wish someone poured for me before I turned Fueled by Flour from a dream into a business.
Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way) since becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur:
1. You’ll Spend More Than You Think
Like, way more.
I knew starting a business wasn’t free, but I didn’t realize just how many surprise fees would come out swinging. My CFO license alone? Immediate wallet trauma. 😭
Then there’s software subscriptions, packaging, shipping labels, branded stickers, ingredients, booth fees… It piles up fast.
What I wish I did:
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Budget smarter and build a cushion.
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Track everything in a spreadsheet from day one.
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Assume the total will be 2x more than you expect.
2. Burnout is Real—And Rest is Required
Year one? I was doing the most. Baking at midnight, filming at sunrise, working weekends, skipping meals—and pretending I was “just grinding.” I burned out hard six months in and had to take a full month off.
Now? I rest on purpose. Breaks are on the calendar. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s how I stay in love with my work.
Real talk: There’s no award for running yourself into the ground. No cape. Just boundaries.
3. Don’t Wait to Build Your Email List
I used to side-eye email lists like, “Who even checks their inbox anymore?” Then TikTok almost got banned—right after I hit 1k followers. I panicked. What if I lost the whole community I worked so hard to build?
That’s when I got serious. Social media isn’t promised. But your email list? That’s yours forever.
Start collecting emails on day one. Even if it’s just 3 people at first. Even if you’re “not ready.” Future you will be so glad you did.
4. Systems > Struggle. Always.
I used to think “working hard” meant doing everything myself, all the time. Not anymore. I believe in soft business energy: systems, templates, workflows, and tools that save me time (and stress).
Confession: I treat ChatGPT like my assistant.
We’ve had full-on fake board meetings. 😅 From content planning to captions, it’s my digital sidekick—and I don’t feel guilty about it.
Moral of the story? Automate what you can. Your time is gold.
5. Everything Takes Longer Than You Think
Especially content.
Making a single reel = planning, scripting, filming, editing, caption writing, thumbnail choosing, and engaging after posting. That’s not a 10-minute task—that’s a whole shift.
Running a creative business means wearing every hat. It’s rewarding, but it’s not instant. And that’s okay.
Be patient. Keep showing up. Your growth is compounding even when it’s quiet.
Final Thoughts: Start Smart, Work Soft
Being your own boss sounds cute (and it is), but it comes with curveballs. Budget shocks. Creative burnout. Technology meltdowns. Imposter syndrome. All of it.
But I wouldn’t trade it. And I want you to love this journey too—without panic purchases and burnout naps.
So romanticize your CEO era. Make it joyful. Set boundaries. Automate the boring stuff. And build with intention from the start. ✨
You got this, Flour Fam 💅🏽