Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year from here at Just Like Gram's. I want to thank this year's newly married couples for allowing me to share in their special day by creating and designing the wedding cake of their dreams. I also would like to thank all my wonderful clients who have asked me to create such wonderful cakes this year.

So, how many of you have made New Year's resolutions? Most of the time I don't make resolutions since I can never seem to stick with them. BUT, this year, I thought I would be different. I decided that Just Like Gram's would make some New Year's resolutions.

First, there are so many "I want" cake toys out there that I thought I would pick just one and splurge this year. Last year, I purchased a new Professional Kitchen Aid. So, this year my goal is to buy a Edible Image printer. These machines are SOOOO cool. Imagine, being able to print out any picture or logo and put the image on paper (that is completely edible) and use it to decorate a cake. In the past, I have drawn so many logos and it is quite a pain, plus, my drawing skills are not always what they should be.

Secondly, is marketing. With both my kids now in school full-time, I can now devote more time to my business. So, it is my goal this year to spend considerable amount of time marketing my business to the community.

Thirdly, is a problem I have been facing for the past 3 years since opening my business AND I vow it will be resolved this year. This is the issue of DELIVERY and PICK UP. My studio is presently located outside of town and is attached to the side of our home. Presently, I run 2 businesses - my Cake Design and my husband's Environmental Consulting from our residence. SO there isn't really an option of moving to a storefront in town. Most of my husband's business does not take place in town, but out in the field, so there's that factor. Problem is that I have found, unlike the areas around Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland where people EXPECT to drive anywhere to get anything, I have found quite the opposite up north. For some reason, and I haven't found out yet in the 11 years I have been up here, is that some people are uncomfortable driving outside the city limits. Soooo, I am looking into some ideas in order to resolve this issue. I am toying with the idea of sharing an office space or a small corner of a business where I can meet with clients for those times when I happen to be in town. I don't really like meeting clients in a parking lot or going to their homes. I feel it gives a somewhat unprofessional appearance. There you have it, that is one of my most important goals for this year. I'm hoping it won't take too long though to resolve.

Finally, my last resolution is a personal one. See this year, I turn the big 40. It is my goal (which, I'm sure you hear all the time) is to reach my ideal weight (which was before my 2 kids were born) by Feb 28th (my birthday). I read once that once you reach 40 that things seem to be different and you should aim to be in good physical shape by that time. Well, I don't know about you, but I have been noticing those differences for quite a while, especially in the past 5 years. To be honest, I have been working on this since last summer and have been steadily shedding the pounds, but it's now crunchtime. I have 2 months to lose 3 more lbs. So let's go!!!