Sweet Success

Now more than ever, educators are trying to supplement their incomes. Schools are closing and job openings are scarce in certain areas. An after school job isn’t always an option since many teachers choose their profession in order to keep the same hours as their children.

Plus it’s common knowledge that the professor’s work doesn’t end when the bell rings. There are papers to be graded and assignments to plan. Often prep time can take teachers into the evening hours to complete so they are ready for class the next day. Instead of assuming a 2nd schedule consider starting a sweet side business to bring in the dough, or batter rather.

Gourmet cupcake shops are on the rise and while the trend increased in popularity it has not yet hit the projected peak. Cupcakes sell individually for $3-5 or more. How fast to you think a batch would move in the teacher’s lounge? After supplies you could net around $50 a day so if you brought baked goods twice a week it would put $400 extra dollars in your pocket.

Consider the cost parents would pay for the convenience of having custom cupcakes ready to pick up right there at school on their child’s special day. Not needing to swing by the grocery store to battle with senior citizens for a standard box of stale cupcakes for a comparable cost would be invaluable to busy but involved moms and dads. Word of mouth would spread your business faster than icing.

If cupcakes aren’t quite your thing you could delve into the world of custom cakes. Two of my educator friends have found the fine art of fondant and cake sculpting to be financially and creatively rewarding. They customize cakes for any occasion in any shape or size. Star Wars birthday cakes, fishing retirement cakes, cars and purses for graduation parties, the ideas are endless and the business is booming. Weddings are where the big money is but there’s more pressure to perform to perfection when preparing the centerpiece for someone’s reception.

You can learn taste and technique tips from online to tutorials or craft center classes. By enticing their taste buds and offering your experimental efforts as free samples you will ensure a future clientele. It won’t take long for your side business to turn into a pretty sweet venture.

Before you get started though check out Cake Wrecks for examples of what not to do when making cakes and cupcakes.
 

Are you looking for a job in Education? Be sure to visit EducationJobSite.
 

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Nexxt. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.