I’ve been reading a lot lately. Nope, not the relaxing tomes I promised myself would make a re-appearance in my life for 2010 (hey, I’ve still got 10 more months to make that a reality!); I’ve been reading tons of business blogs. Specifically, I’ve been trying to find guidance from others in the same boat I find myself.
Many are calling for Muddy’s expansion… everything from opening earlier, opening every day to more locations, franchising (not gonna happen y’all), etc, but I can’t help but feel that in doing so this business would lose what’s at the heart and soul of it, what those people really identify with and why they love us.
I recently found this blog post on the New York Times website and was intrigued, especially by the variety of comments readers posted. It seems there are some notable differences between this place and Muddy’s, but I’m definitely interested by the variety of comments and overall theme. What do you think?
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/why-would-a-business-say-no-to-growth/
tough call kat. at least that means your customers are clammering for more which is probably a good sign, even if you stay the same size=)
What is the goal – increased profits (by expansion, longer hours, multiple locations) or providing the hands-down best baked goods Mid-Southerners have seen in decades? You have great, delicious, quality products and excellent customer service. Visiting Muddy’s is like visiting the neighborhood bakery – a throwback to a stressless, slower paced, more innocent time. Muddy’s is rare. If you do decide to open more shops, it would be great to keep your current model. Here are some cliches – “if it a’int broke, don’t fix it” and “less is more”.
As much as I would LOVE to have a Muddy’s in or near Midtown, I’d much rather have great cupcakes and a happy crew making them, than mediocre ones with a disgruntled group behind the counter.
I think that a small amount of growth, when it feels right to you, is going to be your best bet. And if that doesn’t happen, that’s okay! We’ll still love you!
I agree there is this tendency/pressure in our culture to constantly move in a progressive way. (Opinions widely vary on what that exactly is) But I think it is fair to say that a certain amount of that is driven by the instant gratification culture. People make money to play now, not take care of themselves later. That goes for customers as well, you don’t want to add a day or hours just because you have customers who don’t plan well. If you are comfortable with the way things are going, and you have yourself and those that work for you taken care of, then I would leave it until something changes that. Trust the same drive, the same passion that got you where you are now. If you don’t feel the same way about expansion then I think you already have your answer.
Right now Muddy’s is a destination. People will go out of their way for something unique because it isn’t everywhere. If you expand and make the product available anytime, anywhere, people lose the romance of the chase. ie… Krispy Kreme. People used to wait hours for those donuts. But as soon as the stores were as prevalent as McDonalds and you could get them pre-packed in the grocery stores, people lost interest. They became “just donuts”. I’d hate for anyone to just feel like you were “just cupcakes”. We like you just the way you are! Compare yourself to other cool, hip, funky bake shops nation-wide, and follow their lead: Most don’t just offer the baked goods, but they offer a unique experience. Once that experience is franchised out, it isn’t unique any longer, and therefore, not a special destination people would go out of their way for.
good topic. as a small biz owner with a young family, i feel pulled in a lot of directions and i’m constantly trying to figure out how to run my business. there’s lots of things a photographer can outsource, but i want my products to look like MY products, not everyone else’s.
as far as cupcakes go, i could really just make my own, but going to Muddy’s has a specialness that i’m willing to pay for. there’s a happiness in that store. maybe you could duplicate it, but you can’t be at all locations can you? and if you expand your hours and leave no time for yourself, that doesn’t help your business in the long run either. muddy’s is intricately tied up with kat’s personality. that’s not a bad thing.
Are you opening a location in CY? When I looked you up on Google Maps, it showed you a location at 800 South Cooper! We’d love to have you!