To get annoyed by Mummy Businesses

[NeilFan]

You know the type cake making, knitting, cup cakes, carding etc. Generally SAHMs whos kids are now at school and feel the need to go back into work but can't really be bothered. They pick up some hobby that people have diplomaticaly said they are good at and think it can be a business. Only know one person who actualy has a talent for their business choice, all of the others would be better just asking for cash directly rather than palming off sub standard products onto polite friends. Same goes for all of that pampered chef and candle who are even more deluded. My first post on mumsnet but this stuff really annoys me!

How unpleasant of you.
Nothing wrong with a hobby and trying to make a bit of money.

Ha! I don't think you are being unpleasant. I have a blanket no policy to all such money making parties now.

My 10000,0000 post on Mumsnet......

I couldn't give a crispy coated shite

If someone is going to make an effort to do something useful with their time, working around their kids, really why is it such a problem. If the stuff is naff don't buy it, but don't bitch at people for making an effort.

Not everyone has a high powered job, and not everyone can give the time to it. Lots of SAHMs look fpr ways to keep busy as their kids get older, not all have a career set up already. I'd rather give them a break and let them sell cupcakes or knitted scarves on etsy than get potentially depressed and need NHS help.At leat they are making an effort.

She didn't mention parties. Those get on my nerves too.

Yy to the bloody cup cakes! Iknow loads of people who've gone into that and not one of them are actually any good at decorating or the baking!

However I've seen some amazing quirky little craft gifts that people have made as a hobby so yabu there imo!

Very bitchy to say they're not even good at it (knitting, baking, etc).
What do you do for a living OP? Are you sure you've got "talent" for it?

I think it depends.

I know a few people who just seem to use it as a way to extort money from their nice friends. They don't try and sell beyond their friendship circle and lay a lot of guilt on. That I dont like. Times are tough for us all without our own friends trying to shark money off us!

Those who set out to do it as a business I have a lot of respect for

I do see what op is saying but it is a broad brush to apply it to all businesses started by sahm

Worra, I would like to know what a 'crispy coated shite' is. What is the crispy stuff it's coated with? And why can't you give one? There is stuff you can take to help you with that, you know. Syrup of figs?

Olimpia To clarify I dont mind small businesses which are actual businesses. I have a friend who has a real talent and who is starting a cake business properly. It is the people who are not that good at it and spend more money making their crap than they get selling it. These people expect friends like me to support them in the pointless venture.

I don't mind home based businesses where the person has clearly thought about the product and market and comes up with something original or creative. I must admit that I do find it depressing to listen to 10 different people tell you about their cupcakes/cakepops/cards/jewellery businesses (often all at the same time)where there is no originality or even any basic market research.

Olimpia really see anything unpleasant with the OP ecpressing their view and frustrations. Not sure really how the OP's job is relevant either?

Sharklet makes a good point though - if it keeps people happy and busy and they aren't actually extorting money 'with menaces' then I suppose it's not hurting anyone.

Mspontipine Not meant at people like you describe. There is a real need there and it is not a pointless business. It is the people who can afford to 'invest' hundreds of pounds in a business that makes no money. I am an Engineer and I live in a middle class area, I am sheltered and what annoys me is the people who guilt trip me into buying stuff to fund their hobby. Their time money and energy would be much better soent helping others.

Worra, I would like to know what a 'crispy coated shite' is. What is the crispy stuff it's coated with? And why can't you give one? There is stuff you can take to help you with that, you know. Syrup of figs?

I can't possibly answer that as you might put me out of my Mummy business

worra

Aha! So your 'Mummy' business is either (a) producing crispy coated shite, (b) crispy coating for shite or (c) remedies for people who can't give crispy coated shites.

I am marvelling at my own powers of deduction. No crispy coated shit Sherlock! I think I might have to set up a 'Mummy' business offering my superior detecting abilitites.

I do cakes in return for money mostly as a hobby and I only take costs. I don't think I am pathetic, and I know I am far from the best at it, but I need something to do stuck here at home and I don't force anyone to do anything. Just back from a school fete today with £80, so something must be doing okay. I can't get a "proper" job and I am stuck at home all day, I need something to do.

Sneaky fucker!

See what you've done Neil??

>

People will buy any old shite these days.

Hmm. I am with you on the bloody cup cakes but they have reached saturation over kill everywhere.
I cannot be doing with virgin vie, body shop parties or fecking Tupperware either. I hate the guilt crap.

But, I'd supprt a friend with a business I believe in. I have an acquaintance who makes wrap slings which are beautiful, very reasonable and v good quality. I would buy one if I hadn't received one as a gift and I recommend the company to other friends happily. I have another friend who imports rear facing car seats for toddlers - again something I believe in :-)

Yanbu re the stupid parties though

As someone who has been a victim of "cupcakes with menaces" I completely agree with the OP.

There is one particular school mum who does this, and whilst her cupcakes do look amazing, she overcharges (£3 each at a school fair in a not very well off area) and her baking is dire. It has meant that she now takes home most of what she brings to her stall as we have all learnt our lesson. Yet she goes on and on about her "business".

I ended up with my business because a friend (and then another and now another!) wanted me to provide them with a service I learnt in my previous life, not because I thought it would be fun and then emotionally blackmailed them into becoming clients!

Oh and there was the infamous "Bunting Affair" of 2010, which led to my best friend swearing to never buy anything from anyone in her social circle again.

Bugger that, flavour over style when it comes to cupcakes, I let the kids whack their own sprinkles and marshmallows on, and had jam stuffed, strawberry stuffed, lemon, nutella and vanilla cupcakes, with a ginger cake, lime and coconut cake, lemon curd cake and coffee and walnut cake. All sold really well and the leftovers were donated to the lady who runs the childcare at the school who has saved my butt several times when ill by doing me a special price and at short notice too.

A lot of the really annoying ones are those featured in magazines about some silly moo who has a lickle kitchen table business selling dried flowers/antique lace nappies/some other overpriced pointless shit - they never mention that Hubby's a plastic surgeon or company director on three million a year.

Words you slay me!
I think it really does depend on ability.
I've got a good friend who dabbles in cakes. Her cupcakes are Jeffing wonderful. I've also got an acquaintance who makes cakes and desserts for a proper business, she supplies shops and restaurants, her cakes are expensive and bloody awful.
It's not about the status of your business, it's about the quality of your wares!