I have always loved being creative.
I went through the scrap booking phase, the craft gift giving phase, and even a watercolor phase. One of my favorite “creative phases” was my baking phase. It started in high school with a simple batch of cupcakes. They weren’t anything fancy, and no, they weren’t from scratch. It was a friend’s birthday and I wanted to do something for them, but I didn’t have the money. I figured baking a batch of cupcakes would be an easy enough idea- and it was. She loved them, and she also loved taking them from class to class sharing them with her friends. Before I knew it, another friend’s birthday rolled around, and I baked a batch of cupcakes- but with a twist, I made them from scratch and I personalized them. Before I knew it I became known as the cupcake girl. Friend’s birthday’s would come and go and with them personalized batches of cupcakes.
But it didn’t just end with cupcakes. Christmas rolled around and I found myself baking up a storm– gingerbread men that looked like the person to whom they were being gifted. Valentines day I made milk chocolate bars with personalized messages drizzled in white chocolate and wrapped in foil & scrapbook paper.
Then, one day, someone asked, “Could I pay you to bake something?”
It was the first time I had ever realized I could make money from my creative baking, and I was thrilled. Before I knew it I was baking birthday cakes, cupcakes, Christmas cookies, candies — and I was getting paid to do it.
Of course, I didn’t realize that I had started a small business. All my young teenage self knew was that I loved to bake and people were willing to pay me to do it. When I reached college, my small baking business slowed down to what it is today, I only bake if close friends and family ask. (ie, my boss recently asked me to cater her open house with bite sized goodies; pictured above). As life moved on I came to a realization: I loved being paid to be me.
Years later, I’ve found myself at much the same place that I was as a teenager. I have fallen head over heels in love with photography. As I’ve pursued my passion for it, people have started pursing me as their photographer and once again I’m getting paid to do what I love.
I’m getting paid to be me.
Are you?
If not, why not?
Yes I Am!