Things are changing at Casa Costello – after 6 years of business, Aardvark Cakes is taking an indefinite break. As of July 2012, no more orders will be taken and Baby T will no longer go to nursery. I have decided to enjoy my time with Tara instead of concentrating on business until at least she starts pre-school in a couple of years.
What has prompted this decision?
It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’m really lucky to have constant orders but the amount of cakes I have to take on to make it worthwhile paying for nursery mean that I could not confine my working week to the 2 days Tara was there. Most cake decorators will know that your evenings and weekends are constantly taken up with cakes, early nights are very rare and family life just seemed to suffer.
I still love doing cakes but recently I have felt tied to only being able to keep up with orders instead of enjoying creating different and exciting cakes. I never want to be a standard cake decorator – I want to be the best and with the time I have available, I just wasn’t able to do anything different.
What does it mean for the blog? Will I still be baking?
Of course, I will – I think it is in my blood now. I’m looking forward to experimenting with new creations and recipes but it will mean that the 3 tier works of art might be few and far between. If I feel like making a Gruffalo in my spare time, I will and I will enjoy doing it for me/us rather than for a specific order. I still want to get involved with baking projects - Dermot has even joked about me entering next year’s Great British Bake Off (I think he was joking!?)
Will I restart the business once all the children are at school?
Maybe, maybe not. I really don’t know – I am expecting to miss some of the business side but I don’t know whether I will want to try something different. Time will tell. I do want to carry on with my arty, crafty side and learn new skills though.
What plans have I got?
There are loads of things I intend on doing …
- Teaching my children to cook (and make cakes)
- Making playdoh – I’ve never done it and I feel like I’ve missed out
- Enjoying playing with the kids and spending lots of time outside
- Spending time with my friends whilst not worrying about meeting cake deadlines
- Carrying on learning new crafts – my new sewing machine is looking far too immaculate
- I love being involved with our new WI and want to make it as good as can be.
Am I sad or excited about the decision?
I’m really happy to be honest. It feels exciting that I am lucky enough to be able to spend these precious years with my 3. It has been sad telling certain people and some reactions have been lovely. The hardest was telling nursery that T wouldn’t be there after July as we and she love it but she will be back in pre-school.
So thank you everyone for your custom and support over the past 6 years of Aardvark Cakes’ life – Its been wonderful and I’ve met some lovely people. Its not the end, just a new chapter in the life of the Costellos – and its going to be great!
I think you have made a brave decision but know Tara will love being around you more! Wishing you lots of luck for the future, whatever it brings!
Thank you! Am very excited for the future and feel so relieved now the decision is made!
Aw no! But congratulations on your decision, must have been hard, baby T will love having all that extra time with you. Good luck xx
You will have to keep me informed of all the cool mummy/toddler activities to do around here!
Good on you chick!!! I was lucky enough to be at home with the children until Vicki started Primary school and the memories of that time are the best ones and the ones I will cherish for ever!! The kids childhood memories always seem to be of times we spent together and you can’t put a price on that!! Good luck Helen and have the best years ever with your amazing family!! Loads of love, hugs & luck to you all!! Cxxxxx
Thanks Carol – who knows, maybe now I will have time to have that getogether we promised a couple of years ago! x
Congratulations on six years of success with Aardvark cakes – not easy in this climate. I am so impressed by the business you have built up, but you are right to make the decision you feel is best for your family.
I hope you enjoy this time – there will be plenty of opportunities for business further down the line.
Wishing you all the very, very best,
Charlotte xxx
Thank you, Charlotte. I feel very lucky to have been able to have a decision to make. Maybe its just time for a different way of doing business
x
Well well! I can’t deny I’m surprised but I think you have made a brave but great decision. You are an amazing cake creator & will never be short of customers, should you decide to return to it at a later date, however our babies don’t stay babies for long & that’s one thing you can never go back to and for that reason alone it will be worth it!
) x Lots of Love xx
And won’t we have a lovely time being able to visit your coffee shop now? So excited!
ah Helen , that is such a fantastic thing to do, I fully understans how caught up you get with making cakes. I wish you success in all you do from here on in and will miss seeing your wonderful cakes at the start of each week
cheers
Jackie
Thanks Jackie. Happily I have got years worth of cake photos that I have never had time to post so I don’t think you will go without! Keep in touch!
You know what I am so with you on this. You only get one chance to influence them and enjoy them when they are small. Grab every second and hold on to it. With love as always
I learn a lot from how you are with your boys. Looking forward to spending fun times with my girls x
Relieved to hear that you will still be around. I’m sure you have made the right decision, enjoy!
Can’t get rid of me that easily!
x
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