One Year

One year ago I started Matchbox Kitchen, the business. I applied for my first craft fair and excitedly (and nervously) got in. This was my first time ever selling food to a complete stranger and I was diving in head first. Sometimes I can't believe how I got by with so little knowledge, but sometimes it's better that way.

When I stop and think about how much I've done in the past year I can't help but feel a little proud. But at the same time I know how foolish and naive it was (and still is) of me to start a business without prior knowledge. I've never worked in a bakery, in a restaurant, or for another small business. Every mistake I make is a learning experience that costs me money. They say you should work under someone else to make these errors on their dime, and they weren't kidding.

To say this past year has been fun and rewarding would be glossing over all the stress this business has put me through. It is not easy to wake up every morning not knowing when or where you're next paycheck is coming. It's not easy knowing that every decision you make can potentially make or break your future. In fact, I pretty much have a break down every other week wondering if this is what I should be doing or if I should just get a job and work for someone else.

It's only been these past couple of months that I've truly felt the stress of having your own business. I am my own worst critic and can be extremely hard on myself. But I have to remember, I've only been doing this for a year! I've only been baking cakes since April! Cakes have been such a big part of my business yet I am still so new at it. It's hard to have perspective when in the back of my mind all I can think about is "how am I going to pay my bills?"

Even after all of this, I'm not ready to give up. I am just about putting my all (emotionally and financially) into Matchbox Kitchen but it is scary. Like everyone else, I am scared of failing. But how will I know if I don't try? Here's to risking it all to pursue what I love.