Most
of you know that I work out of my home, I am considered a cottage foods
industry. Thanks to all of you, I have outgrown my single oven you see
over by the number 1.
I can't keep up with the demand, but still want to keep this little
bakery running out of my home. Flexibility and the feeling that I'm
doing something meaningful and purposeful are very important to me.
Opening a store-front bakery and making Firecracker much bigger has
crossed my mind many times, but it's just not a priority at this time.
My husband and I have decided that making some changes to the kitchen
will help with efficiency and allow me to continue doing what I
love...inside my home, on my own time. I feel super lucky to have this
opportunity!
I've labeled the kitchen in the order of priority and need. I'll explain each number below:
1. Oven...I really needed a
double oven after
the first year in this business, but we believe firmly in taking our
time with big decisions and I wanted to make sure this business was
something I wasn't going to get tired of. Going from one oven to two
isn't an easy or cheap decision. It is a snowball effect of a lot of
renovation, so it took some time and a lot of thought.
Are
you questioning turning a hobby into a money-generating business? If
you aren't sure, just get started, "Clarity comes from engagement, not
thought." Four years ago, that was my business approach. I couldn't
stop thinking about having an in-home bakery. I had a lot of supplies
already, so I just got started. Starting a blog, finding coffee shops,
getting a designer for my logo, building a customer base, setting
prices...endless hours of work, consistency and a passionate approach.
If you're willing to work hard and willing to serve a need greater than
your own, your business will thrive.
2. The
cabinets...although they don't have all the nice features of the newer
cabinets, we didn't feel replacing them was totally necessary.
Unfortunately, once we got into all the planning we realized that the
cabinets would have to go. We needed to have the oven built in and it
just wasn't going to be practical to try to make these work. I got over
it pretty quick once I saw all the features new kraftmaid cabinets had!
3.
I love my enormous fridge, but since the snowball is roll'in we might
as well move the fridge to the corner and get it out of the way. I
seriously almost got stuck in that corner a few times trying to make
coffee or use the microwave. So #3 is moving to #1 spot.
4.
This island *must* love me. I have a confession to make...I've pretty
much done everything wrong to this granite and it refuses to have any
imperfections. It has been my rock (literally!), I'm keeping this
baby. It has been moved to the basement for a platter wrapping
station. The only problem with this island is the size. My new island
will be just a bit longer and will have more functional storage/garbage
system in it.
5. The microwave...well, what can I say, I just prefer a microwave OFF the counter.
6.
Deep breath, the lighting situation, it's just not our style. Once you
get into redoing a kitchen, it is definitely a snowball effect. I
would love can lights and pendant lights over my island.
7. The
tile back splash...sigh. It just reminds me of Nascar Racing or a
1950's style kitchen. I just really don't like it. It did come in
handy for this photo as a backdrop...
8.
Floor is gorgeous granite tile, but it needs to go. If it flowed with
the rest of the house we would've kept it, but here's the situation on
floors in our house:
When
standing on my gorgeous granite tile in my kitchen I was able to see
ALL of these wonderful floors. I do respect the previous owners, and
feel everyone is entitled to their own style, BUT I will never figure
out why they had so many different floors in one house.
9. Last but not least, new counter tops!! I can barely sleep at night, I'm so excited!!!
