Voices in a small town----they carry!

WOW> this is going to be short and sweet. Your voice carries. When you speak you may and can be heard. If you want to fight make sure you are ready to get hit, when you are attacked make sure you do not back down, sometimes the bark of your attacker is all they have.

Make change, cause ripples..... FUCK IT!!!!! Create a wave..... A positive wave. A wave to better yourself, your business, society and most of all mankind.

Do not be afraid...... We all feel fear,,,, we all do not sleep,,,,, we all want more.... even if we have it all...... do not be afraid because it is all out of your hands. It is all Faith....

Stand strong....be strong.... keep moving......

Hopefully the decisions made are the right ones! Well, its not hope it is believing and knowing it is all right,,,, you are all right....

Small town big voice you will make change... good or bad..... OH YA you will... please trust and BELIEVE!

The Hills

No, this is not talking about the TV show about he girls who.... well I am not sure--- never watched the show!

This is about the ups and downs of business. The ups and downs of the internet and the exposure that comes along with it.

Most of us never really see the behind the scenes work involved with business. Any business that is in existence there is someone who put a ton of time, passion, and themselves into it. It is very easy to criticize from the outside but hard to praise with in.

With today's exposure you get some great highs and sometimes a low. Today we received a well not so great review. Now I will have to admit that the reason for the negativity was some of the main reasons that others love us and as for the size of the product welllllll...... it is kind of an industry standard! Yes, it can be altered but..... It feels like a body blow until you step back and realize that the bigger you get the more people will be entitled to their opinion and they will use it. To be honest I think that when you tell the person or company your complaint they can explain the "WHY". In our case that did not happen but.... we all learn. Remember, criticism can create change sometimes confront your dissatisfaction and you can create change! It is a great and powerful tool so use it wisely. If you come to my shop please let me know what you think! Let me know how we can do better or what you LOVE!!!!! PRAISE!!!

I hope and pray that we can make it. Everyday I personally learn so much about life, business, people, technology, human kind and well, life! It is a wonderful hill to climb even when the boulders seem great!

I will keep trekking, I will keep believing in myself and my wife. I will climb and soon if God is willing touch the sky and then stretch for the stars!

We're all walking the hills of life, what we do when we get to them defines us. I hope you all keep moving forward, moving to your dream, to your set of stars

Pro Business----RIGHT!

So..... today,,,,,,, I received a letter from the county of Georgetown South Carolina, that stated I was not allowed to fly an "OPEN" flag. Now you may not understand why, nor do I but,,,,,, after reading the ordinance they stated no flags or banners were allowed. You may not understand my frustration but it is due to the fact that larger more established business right next to me are flying all sorts of flags, American, booze related, you name it. To me that's bullshit.

Let's image that the government was giving stimulus money to promote business and to grow the economy. Let's assume they wanted unemployed people to actually get a job, let's imagine that this was a pro business society that is trying to get out of financial debt.

OH FUCKIN YEA it is!!!! Our tax money, I mean ALL our tax money is going to try to stimulate growth. My wife and I are trying to be proactive citizens and build a business. How can we potentially hire people, pay sales tax, pay the rent, purchase goods, if we can not sell shit! If people do not know where I am they can not come in to BUY, they can not consume, spend, and OH YEA I CAN'T GROW or MAKE MONEY!

I do not understand. I called my councilman, the senator Lindsey Graham and Lt. Gov. Bauer. Pretty much just trying to get the point across that if barriers are in place to deter me from growing, how can the economy of the USA grow. It all starts with you and I. We are America. But........ it seems like big business seems to rule, the deepest pockets seem to make the decisions. The problem with this is that the people who can really make a difference in society are getting cut off at the knees and the country will not grow it will get worse. The biggest only hire so many, they only contribute so much.... they do however line the pockets of the ones who favor there views.

You may have assumed I am pissed and you are right..... By me not selling it affects my family, my life and if I fail it affects all if you!

I hope something comes from all my calls but I do not have that much hope, why.... we live in a fucked up world.... if you don't have a job now and want one,,,,, call your city council and see how many bullshit laws they are enforcing to put people like me at a disadvantage so I can not hire you! Call the president if you can find a number! Good luck to that too....

More to the point we are spending TAX dollars to have someone drive around and enforce a FLAG ordinance, then have them photocopy that ordnance, highlight it and then mail it. Now who just paid for their time, stamp, highlighter, paper, gas, car insurance, salary., etc.... Yea you, both you the working man and the one looking for the job, that you cant get because the business you just applied at can not afford to pay you due to the lack of business. But.... they are complying to the ordnance so sorry you are out of work!!!!

I want to tell all you thinking of starting your dream that this is a reality and will probably happen to you. Probably not this exact thing but..... You know what I mean!

Be STRONG!

Keep the faith but remember that NO one is going to aid you!!!! FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS! ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CAUSE!

Pulled and Pushed

So what you all need to know is that when you open a business YOU will be pulled and pushed to buy everything and anything. You know some things you will want them and others will just be useless.

Example. We have been open three weeks and people have already solicited us to change our merchant account. I mean I have not even got the statement yet and they want me to reassess your numbers! WHAT? It seems just crazy.......

Then you have people who can help you, maybe.... such as the chamber of commerce. But it may not always be worth it so you need to evaluate for YOURSELF!I just wanted to wan you that it is going to happen and when it does it is OK to say NO! or I WILL THINK ABOUT IT!

Best wishes! Best of LUCK!

Sunshine through the rain

What a week so far! When you have a slow week followed by a good one it is great. It may be in part to the press we received.



It was wonderful to be recognized a bit for hard work. My feet have stopped hurting and my body is starting to adjust. It keeps getting better. I work harder than ever for less than ever and am in a much better place! I urge you all to follow you dreams due to release that you will feel as you attempt to grow. When you hit that barrier and overcome it.

Facebook my arch enemy has now become a friend and very important part of my life and business. If you are not on it and own a business you are really missing out.

Find us there Ndulge Cupcakery----- FRIEND US..... we really do read and take your suggestions to heart.

Today, I had a young girl come in whom is aspiring to do what we do. She showed me a piece of her work. It was a popcorn cupcake. I have to admit it was great. I hope that she follows her passion and does something in food, she is gifted. I hope she reads my blog and strives to achieve.

I may not be the best writer but I think that I can help. I think I can make a difference, let me rephrase.---- I know I can! I know I will, and so can you!

There is sunshine through the rain, just wait and you too will see.

Suprise

Sometimes when you least expect it you will be surprised with a great gift! Today was one of those days. A bit slow at the shop, just back from a marketing excursion in the pouring rain!!!! I mean pouring rain. When a reporter for a bunch of newspapers came to do an article on us! WOW, what a shocker. I am not one of a shortage of words but!!!! This kind of threw me.

I advice you as she advised me. When you start a business look for the papers to do article on you. They should and may for free. FREE is a great thing! I think you should contact your local papers and see if they have a independent editor that could feature your business. In my business we were lucky and got a wonderful food writer and she took plenty of pictures and such!

The moral. The sun always shines after it rains! Eventually. Remember it is not your time frame it is greater than YOU!

Hitting the bricks

Today was an adventure. I started down the long road of marketing. Started banging doors. I literally went to restaurants and such trying to market my product! I think we have a good idea and it is not overdone in this area so....... I have had a positive reception.

I know this may be very very hard for people! It really is tough to put yourself out to people and have them judge your hard work, but that is the nature of business. I have to say one of the best advertisements that you can use is Facebook. Please look at us:

http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/?expand=pymk&ref=hpb#!/pages/Murrells-Inlet-SC/Ndulge/122506411097392?ref=ts&__a=22&ajaxpipe=1

So far we have had a good bit of business using social networking. Probably more than me marketing on my own. I personally was against the who Facebook idea due to the fact that my wife lives on it but in the end I had to give in due to I was unable to view my own business.

I was told by a very wise business owner (who try's everything) that marketing and marketing costs are huge but super important. Bill, you are very, very right. I am going to venture out to Youtube and others to do what I can on the net. People you know are very resourceful and will find you if they desire. Knowing that you need to be cool enough for them to then venture to see you and spend with you!

You need to get out and try stuff. I am always taking suggestions from people (AND YES YOU TOO) if you have an idea let me know! I want to succeed not that people typically venture into costly business to fail intentionally but.... You get the point.

Needless to say be like water and flow. One idea to the next. Market, MArket and MARket,MARKet,MARKEt, MARKET!!! Then retire! and do good in the world!

PS> TRY TO KEEP THE FAITH!

Insurance!

What a topic! If you are in the health field than you want insurance the way it is now. If you are starting a business, you wonder where is the LOW cost alternative for ME! I have a family and want to protect them but at what cost? Financial or physical? If I do not have it I am foolish and asking for a problem, if I do I am broke and really pissed of because I am trying to be a productive member of society yet, the options for me are very limited!

I could do nothing and the state would gladly pick up the tab! I choose to be something and what do you get a HUGE BILL!

I guess this conversation is more about the state of the government than anything! What has happened to our society! Where are we all going?

On a side note, what a weekend. What a thrill to sell your goods that you worked so hard for! It is amazing! I challenge all of you to feel the rush of doing.......Doing your own thing, being your dream, working until your feet go numb but being thrilled they are!

OK, be positive, be aggressive, be smart and most of all do not let the walls of, government, family, friends, society, towns, politics or whatever get in your way!

The Waiting Game

This key lime treat is waiting- Waiting for you to buy him, eat him, digest him and then shit him out. I guess that's life. We all wait, we get bought we get digested and then eventually shit out. The difference between my cupcake and life is that we will get back up and go through the process again. We will be different (if we learn) and then try again. I struggle everyday to tell myself I need to get over the fear to fail. The fear that it wont work that's life. We try, try and then try again. Today I sit and ponder why that great tasting cupcake is still there on my shelf. I know whom ever decides to consume him will not be disappointed.

I am trying to not only get into the NDULGE Cupcakery rhythm but try to plan for the next endeavor. I guess I can not stop dreaming of the day we will be big. Both on business and life.

My advice is if you feel like you are on a treadmill-- get off. Get OUT--- Move--- the time is now. It does not matter your age or situation, you need to live and we all die when idol. I feel more alive, (very sleepy though).

I finally got Facebook. I was holding out....my wife is on it way way to much! Sooooo I revolted..... but, out of necessity I joined. Since joining I have seen some amazing stories, people from the past that are doing amazing things. I have a friend (have not seen him since high school but.... ) that is a wilderness guide and travels watching wolves! IS that cool or what. Another is a pro skier- find his blog Corey Felton! WOW... what people can do, what paths God chooses us to travel.

Where is mine going? What is my path? Am I on it? Whats in store? I guess I will not know. I am not meant to know now. I hope I am doing his will!

Like the key lime cupcake we wait for our buyer. I suggest you not wait to be bought but to run with the wolves, ski the back county or just follow your dream!

Open

We are finally OPEN! WOW what a ride. I know you are probably thinking what a sorry BLOGGER! I know NO EXCUSES for missing a day but...... If you read a blog post from the last few days you would think I was speaking jibberish! Finally, we are open and we have even had a few customers! It has been nice.

We both are extremely exhausted. Not because of baking but because we have not ironed the kinks out. Everyday I take things back and forth that I do not need of forgot. Efficiency is the best thing to strive for and right now I have not been as efficient as I could be.

I would like to thank all the people who have helped us so far. All the woodworkers, grunt, beach bums and family! I hope that you will all visit and pray!
OK, so is it worth it? I will let you know in a bit. I have to say it is WAY WAY WAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY more expensive than anticipated! I hope to be able to stay afloat. I pray for success and favor. I pray that my path will shine so I may follow.

If you plan to open a food business---- FREE samples to as many people as you can is a great way to go!!!!





I am going to turn a new leaf. I am a visual person and I do not know why I have not been doing more photos in the blog so ----- now I am going to show you even more!

I love photography -- these are my wife's pictures though I was manning the torch!

Wish you all the best--- Look at our current heaven~