Now don’t get me wrong. I love me a list. My life would be a shambles without my penned collections of various pressing tasks. I typically have several lists working at the same time. Things to do for the boys, the house/garden, family, school, wishes, to read, blogs to visit, recipes to try and a few others..all of which I pull from each week as I am compiling yet another list of immediate things to do/people to call/things to purchase for that week. It seems insane to have to manage all these items, but I swear it helps me to be the kind of get-it-done person that I am happiest being. It’s like ice cream to me when I see all the little check marks next to the things that I have accomplished – and like bikini waxing when I am just unable to get the jobs done. And I know I’m not alone with this obsession. You know who you are.
Since launching this little business of mine, I have had to take list-making to a whole new level. I thought that my physical and mental lists were daunting before I started this. Well, forget it. The fact of the matter is that a small business owner is not ever able to “leave work at the office”. Especially those who are a one-person-shop. That person is Owner, President, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, and whatever other C-blank-O you can think of. Even if there is not an actual task to be completed, the mental burden of keeping the business moving and growing is pressing. It’s that wake-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the night kind of stress because you know that success is all up to you. And my business is REALLY small. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a real storefront with employees and all that goes with that. Hats off to those brave souls.
With August comes vaca time for many, and a little order reprieve for me. So, it’s time for some tending to the CREO lists so that I can keep this little train chugging. I need a new printer, want to design a brochure to distribute in the neighborhood, develop a tasting menu for a corporate consultation, work on a Richmond cake that I have had in my head for months, do a trial run of a cakepop shipment and get a jump start on some hat orders. Breathe, Cathy, breathe. And get to work, because you know you hate waxing.
This past week, I made a hunk of cake that was a cake of a hunk. The request was for a personal cake to match a Magnum PI-themed 40th birthday party. The wife was re-creating her husband’s adolescence with a party at his childhood pool and a big nod to one of his TV idols. I made his favorite: 4-layer red velvet with scrumptious cream cheese icing (maybe the best I have ever had). Topped with hand-painted chocolate icons. Word is that it was a huge hit.
Until next time!
