Just Cupcakes?
So apparently I'm the only person who's ever even heard of a cupcake shop...according to some people. They look at me with this pained look on their face and ask, "Just cupcakes?"
So I got three of these the other day (in one day!) and I'm about ready to pull my hair out. Yes, just cupcakes.
They start out saying, "It's so great that your starting your own business", "Congratulations on taking such a big risk", "I heard you were starting a business making cupcakes...?".
They ask a little about what it is that I'm doing and I tell them it's cupcakes. Then they ask those two words, "Just cupcakes?" and my voice gets all monotone...like it does when I'm pissed and I say, "yes, just cupcakes".
Sometimes I feel myself having to defend it by telling them that, "I'll have coffee as well" and sometimes I decide to be a little bitchy right back and say, "It's the trendy thing in all the big cities, I can't believe you haven't heard about it...it's huge" That's the good comeback because it's like I'm really saying, "Wow, you're so behind the times, get with it!" I should really be asking them if they've ever heard of myspace, just to filter out the people who really have their head up their a**.
But in all actuality, I can't be too mad...the people that are asking this question just don't get it. And it is a hard concept to understand if you've never been in a cupcake shop, haven't had a cupcake since you were 5, or thought that a place that just sold coffee and called themselves Starbucks would never make it.
JUST CUPCAKES.
Or Mrs. Fields JUST COOKIES, or Noah's Bagels JUST BAGELS, or Baskin Robbins JUST ICE CREAM ...COME ON PEOPLE!
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I started my own business last year and went through so many nay sayers with it that I sort of get where you're coming from. However, I now get to laugh at them when they all attempt to borrow money from me in hopes that I've forgotten. My favorite was the guy that told me I would never get my first client based on what he thought he knew about me, he asked me for a job just yesterday. Just Cupcakes sounds like a great idea. Good Luck with your business.
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I completely know your pain.
Most people are not judging you when they comment about your business. They are judging themselves.
Most folks are afraid to step out of the norm and fulfill their dreams, whether it's to start their own business, educate their own kids, get a college degree, or travel.
When you're feeling drilled about why you picked your business, turn it around in your head and know that that person is telling you why they can't do what you're doing. They are digging for confirmation for themselves as to why they're not fulfilling their dreams.
I know every conversation is slightly different with these folks, but come up with a standard line to use, then change the subject. OR offer them a free cupcake when they bring a friend with them to your shop. GET THEIR BUSINESS.
Krispy Kreme only sells donuts, but look how they draw in their business. You could have a neon sign that says "Now Frosting" and folks could flock in to stick their finger in a sample cup of frosting, then buy a half dozen cupcakes to take home.
You have a wonderful business, and you're a Creative Genius for starting it! Live it out, enjoy it all, and have fun!
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