It's not always rainbows and butterflies

 Today, I thought I'd talk to you about something that's very personal, but I hope this information helps you! 

I get several e-mails and phone calls everyday from hopeful pastry chefs/bakers and all of them want to know the same thing; what is it like running a business and will going to culinary school help my career? Of course it will. But is it the only thing that will help you? Probably not.

 Ever since I was 16, I knew I would run my own business. I had a vague idea (actually too many ideas sometimes) on what this business would be. But, it was only much later that I found my calling. While I was getting a business degree, 2 classes really appealed to me, and almost everything I learned in them stuck. These were Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Entrepreneurship excited me - creating business plans, finding new markets, it was almost like creating magic. We learnt about start ups. What to look out for, the correct way of doing things, qualities that define an entrepreneur. We learnt that it wouldn't be easy. We learnt about different entrepreneurs ; the success stories and also the ones that didn't quite make it. Business school was followed by culinary school. Here it was all technique. Butter, sugar, flour and eggs became my best friends. I spent hours and hours with chocolate. My feet hurt, sometimes they bled. My back was almost always sore. I always looked tired. But, I loved it. I loved learning. I could stand for hours watching my chef temper chocolate. It was beautiful, almost mesmerizing. 

So, why am I telling you this? Even after all that, nothing, absolutely nothing could prepare me for starting my own business. 

I knew what should happen in theory. I knew my product. I knew my market. Should be easy right. It wasn't. The reason I'm writing this post is because I want you to know that it's going to be hard. So prepare yourself accordingly. This is not a fairytale. You have to work extremely hard and face set backs almost on a daily basis. 

For nearly a year after I started Le15 I had no life. I worked from 8 am to 11 pm every single day. Days off didn't exist, weekends didn't matter and you can forget about holidays. Sleeping in meant waking up at 9 am. I started losing touch with friends and relationships suffered. I was 23. It's been almost 2 years now and I've evolved. Everyday I learn new things, things about myself, about people I interact with and this industry. Having an idea and implementing it is easy, doing it consistently is the challenge.

If you're passionate, dedicated and know exactly what you're getting in to; this is the most rewarding experience one can have! Don't be afraid. For every bad experience, I've had a good one. For every, um, evil person (I've met a few ok) I've encountered, 3 angels have walked in to my life. 

To see your ideas in action, to have all your hard work rewarded, to see people appreciate what you do, is fulfilling. When an 8 year old comes and tells you he wants to grow up to be like you, the back pain disappears and all those nights you couldn't go out with friends don't seem to matter anymore. 

I have a long long way to go and a million things to achieve before I can call myself a successful Entrepreneur. For now, things that bring me immense joy are walking in to the kitchen every morning and seeing my staff working with beautiful smiles on their faces, watching my parents' eyes light up every time they proudly talk about Le15 and yes, every time you send me an e-mail or call me and tell me how much you appreciate what we're doing at Le15, makes up for everything! And I wouldn't have it any other 

way.

 Some Pointers: Things I've learnt in the last 2 years (and some things that I really should learn!)

- Sometimes learning how to say No is more important than saying Yes.

 - People will get jealous. People will try to pull you down. People will make you think you're not good enough. Don't listen to them!!! 

- Have everything written on paper and ALWAYS consult a lawyer because people will try to cheat you (sigh, I'm still dealing with this one)

 - Find a support group. For me, this is my family. I discuss everything with them. You need a sounding board (and a reality check) 

- Have faith in yourself.

 - Learn to accept your mistakes and say sorry. 

- As cliched as it may sound - follow your gut! 

- Listen to your mother (or mine, she is always right) 

- In the end, everything always works out. It has to. 

- Keep a diary and write every idea down.

 - Imitation is the highest form of flattery (when people start to copy you, you've arrived!)

 - Keep learning and updating yourself with the latest in your industry. Knowledge never goes wasted. 

- Be open to new ideas. Ask people if there's a way to be more efficient and effective. 

- Be kind. People will always remember how you made them feel.

- If you can help someone, go out of your way to do it. Good Karma always comes back.

- Smile. Always smile.