I’ve been thinking about what I want more of in 2026.
And what would be the bravest thing to do.
That reminded me of a conversation I had with my mentor six months ago.
It was one of those conversations where you sit down with a notebook and a cup of coffee, then say out loud all the things that aren’t working.
Especially the things that quietly bother you, but you don’t always want to admit.
The problem with giving everything away
We talked about my business.
Why I felt resentful toward some parts of it.
What felt misaligned.
And one thing kept coming up again and again.
For the last five years, I’ve been known for giving a lot away.
- Tutorials
- Videos on YouTube
- Guides
- Tips and explanations
- Countless templates
I’m genuinely happy I’ve been able to do that.
Teaching has always been a big part of who I am.
But here is the part that stopped me:
Information you give away cannot carry the same depth, structure, or responsibility as something people pay for.
It simply can’t.
And it shouldn’t.
That doesn’t mean everything needs a price tag.
But the work you put your name on, your experience into, and your years of trial and error behind deserves to be valued.
Why charging feels uncomfortable
Think about how it feels when friends or family ask for a cake without expecting to pay.
They usually mean well.
But it can still feel like your skills are invisible.
Like your time doesn’t count.
Like what you do isn’t really work.
I see so many bakers carry that same feeling into their businesses.
- They undercharge.
- They overdeliver.
- They feel guilty for wanting to be paid well.
So let me say this clearly, for you and for myself:
It is okay to charge for what you do.
It is okay to be paid.
And it is okay to be paid well.
Money gives you options
Money in your business isn’t greed.
It gives you capacity.
When you make money, you have more choices.
- You can take fewer orders.
- You can work less.
- You can invest in your skills.
- You can support people and causes you care about.
Maybe ten paid cakes allow you to donate one cake to a charity event.
Maybe you support an organization like Icing Smiles.
Maybe you help someone quietly without billing them.
The difference is that you are choosing to give from a stable place.
You’re not taking from your family.
You’re not borrowing from your future.
You’re not draining yourself to prove your worth.
Build a business that supports you
I want to set an example.
It is okay to want a good life.
It is okay to provide for yourself.
And it is okay to build a business that supports you instead of exhausting you.
When you are stable, supported, and well, you can serve your community in a much bigger way.
Without resentment.
Without burnout.
Without sacrificing yourself.
You don’t need to apologize for doing well.
Put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Everything else becomes easier after that.
Want to build a cake business that pays you well without taking over your life?
Inside the Cake Business Blueprint, I’ll help you price your cakes, present your work professionally, and attract better wedding cake clients.
