Visions of Cupcakes Dancing in my Head

Baking Space, Baking Space...I'm Desperately In Need Of Baking Space

2011-03-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's been less than 24 hours and we have already raised almost $500.00! If the oven in my apartment worked properly, I would be baking right now.....just to celebrate (not to mention the fact that I miss baking every day!).

One of the biggest obstacles I face is where I will bake. I need to find a commercial kitchen (preferably in the Highlands Ranch area) where I can do my baking. If anyone knows where I might be able to locate baking space, please let me know...I would be eternally greatful.

I've tossed around the storefront idea for three years now. At this time, I can't afford a storefront. Based on all of the research that I've done over the years, it would cost me in the ballpark of around $200,000.00 to get a storefront up and running. Which has prompted some creativity on my part as far as how to promote a business without one. Cake Crumbs and Clementine, the Denver Cupcake Truck have certaining earned their creative wings and have paved the way for others wanting to go that route. Kudos to them!!! Maybe it's something I should think about. Although I may have to go back to driver's ed...I can only imagine what the cupcakes would look like after a mini road trip with me at the wheel - YIKES!

It is so very frustrating to me that there is a plethora of unleased, vacant retail space, yet nobody will give a small business a chance to make a go of it because it is financially more beneficial to just let the space sit empty while the bank takes over, etc. UGH!!! Okay, okay...step down from the soap box.

So...I will continue in my search of finding a commercial kitchen and continue letting the creative juices flow in hopes that I will wake up in the middle of the night with an idea that will solve all my problems. Your mission...should you choose to accept it...is to let me know if you hear of any commercial kitchen space available (really anywhere in the SW metro area would be great!) and to let me know if, for some strange reason, YOU wake up in the middle of the night with an idea that will solve all my problems :)

Much cupcake love,

Victoria

We Need Your Help To Make This Work

2011-03-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Tell everyone you know...friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances - heck even complete strangers! Torilyn's Cupcakes is back, but we desperately need your help! Please find it in your heart to donate what you can...we can't do this without you. Forward our website and/or blog to everyone you know. If you can't make a donation...maybe you can help in another way: marketing, business contacts, office supplies, commercial baking space, supply donations, what are your ideas - I would LOVE to hear from you. I'm so excited to be back in business...I'm grinning from ear to ear :)

The Letter That Started It All.....

2011-03-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

NOT GONNA LIE, NOT GONNA SUGAR COAT IT…..I NEED YOUR HELP

I am going to be brutally honest…I mean B*R*U*T*A*L*L*Y honest. You may not know me from Adam, yet on the other hand, you may be a friend; yet I know that, either way, you will be surprised by what I have to say. I’m taking a chance…going out on a limb. So, here goes:

As of 6:22 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, I have exactly $58.90 in my checking account. I don’t have a savings account, or even a credit card.

I am in the process of going through a divorce. The divorce has taken a huge financial toll on me. I take full responsibility for this as I left without having a plan and cannot expect for the person that I am divorcing to pick up the slack.

I have a 19 year old son that made a mistake and is currently in jail because of that mistake. He’s a sweet, sensitive and wonderful man who made a bad decision and will have a long road ahead of him when he gets out.

I have a 21 year old daughter who is one of the hardest working people I know. She, without any complaint, gave up going to CU where she had been accepted because I could not afford the tuition. She currently works two jobs and attends Metro State College and is studying to be an event planner.

Last, but most definitely not least, I have a 14 year old son who can absolutely light up a room with his smile. He is sweet and funny and caring and has one of the brightest minds that I have ever seen. I would like to be able to tell him that he need not worry like his sister about going to college.

Me…..well, up until a few months ago, I spent my days baking. Baking CUPCAKES! Not just any cupcakes, but really, really AMAZING tasting cupcakes. In September of 2007 my life was forever changed when I went to San Francisco and walked into Kara’s Cupcakes in Ghiradelli Square. I fell in love…with the store, with the concept and to be sure, with the cupcakes. I went home and started planning and in November of the same year (two short months later), Torilyn’s Cupcakes was in business.

Then, a few months ago, I made a huge mistake…..I closed the doors at Torilyn’s Cupcakes. I gave up on my dream. NEVER a good thing, but I had run out of money, out of faith and out of confidence. I didn’t have anywhere to bake, zero funding for supplies and emotionally I was feeling pretty low.

I have a job working part-time for a financial advisor, who left a secure job at the bottom of the market in December, 2008 to start his own investment firm in order to spend more time with his children after his divorce. Patrick Kelly is the President and CEO of Shamrock Capital. I’ve known Patrick for 15 years and he is a wonderful friend, a great dad and a phenomenal investment mind. Here’s part of what makes Patrick such a great friend. He wouldn’t let me give up on my dream. Since closing the doors at Torilyn’s, he hasn’t allowed me to stop thinking that maybe, just maybe, there’s a way for me to continue with my dream of baking cupcakes and owning a storefront.

So, here’s where you come into the equation. I DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP MY DREAM! I want to continue baking cupcakes…I want to open a storefront. I’m good at what I do and I am one of, if not the only, cupcake bakery in the Denver Metro area who offers complete customization of your cupcakes. I know that I can make this work if I am able to raise some capital.

I’m asking you to believe in me and my dream enough to give up some of your hard-earned money to make this dream a reality. I’m asking for donations so that I can get my business back up and running. Our economy is shaky right now, and I know what it means to struggle to make ends meet. I also know that we live in a society that believes in helping others (even complete strangers) make their dreams come true. That is what I am asking you…to make a small donation to help me get TORILYN’s CUPCAKES up and running again.

By Monday, I will have a blog set up to keep those interested updated on the progress being made. I am planning to open an account at a local bank in Highlands Ranch. I will provide an accounting of all monies raised and what I plan to do with the funds once received. This is your money we’re talking about and I believe it’s important to be completely transparent. If I don’t raise enough funds to get Torilyn’s Cupcakes back in business, I ask your permission to donate the money to a charity that is near and dear to my heart…the Alyssa Cares Foundation. So, ultimately this is a win-win situation. You will either be part of helping make my dream come true or contributing to a charity that helps put books in the hands of children who otherwise would not have a book to read.

So who will be the first? Remember…..every little bit counts! No donation is too small. If you don’t have any extra funds to spare, no worries. I would still love to hear your advice, well wishes and words of support. Email me if you would like for me to keep you up-to-date on the progress. Thanks so much...we look forward to hearing from you!

Much Cupcake Love,

Victoria