It's My Anniversary!

You can't TELL ME what God won't and can't do.

Oh, by the way, if you're atheist or don't believe in God, um...you probably don't want to read this post.

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Here goes!

One year ago...to the day...my life was changed and I didn't even know it. God has a way of bringing His will to pass whether you see it coming or not. Best thing you could ever do is just go with the flow - because what The Master wants WILL come to be.

Here's a link to my old blog post...a year ago - before I ever knew what was about to happens: http://everydaycookin.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-do-you-do-in-your-spare-time.html

A year ago I had a "spare time." *in my preacher voice* How many of you know it wasn't spare time? God has a way of orchestrating time perfectly. I came home from work and decided to make red velvet cupcakes...out of the blue. You do know things happen for a reason, right?

Why cupcakes? Who knows! God did. I wanted to try something new. It was new to me, but God had it in His plan all the while.

I had a few friends come over and taste them and at that point...that's how it started. Now, don't think that in one year we go from baking our first cupcake to opening The Cupcake Gallery and there were no bumps in the road. MY GOD were there bumps in the road.

Let's look at the bumps shall we:

- I put these cupcakes on Facebook and Twitter...and I started getting orders. A few here and there...

- I sold my FIRST dozen to a co-worker for 12 bucks. I packaged them nicely with cellophane and ribbon and come cute box. I didn't even charge her enough. I damn near paid her for the cupcakes I made. Thanks Maria! I miss you!!!

- Orders started coming in...before I even had a logo or website or a plan for that matter. But because I had been dibbling and dabbling in business ventures before, a few solid hours and this was solved. See, all that prep work God put me through allowed for me to handle this situation with NO PROBLEM.

- The peoples wanted more. I remember getting phone calls and e-mails and people would ask me for the other flavors I made. Can you believe that for three months ALL I COULD MAKE was red velvet? I know...horrible. I sat down figured out a plan in like 2 hours...then started working on more flavors and a website.

- Before you know it...I had a business. It was illegal - lol - but nevertheless, I had a side hustle.

- Somewhere around April/May - I was done. It was too much for me. Seriously! I told my barber that I was officially done. The orders were too much. The people were too much. The demand was too much. I was done. He talked to me...honestly. LOL - next week, I was back making cupcakes!

- June 15, 2009 would come. It was a Monday. I remember it well. I got to work and found out I had been laid off. Somehow I didn't necessarily feel distraught. I think it was knowing I had a few more pay checks, some severance, unused vacation pay, and 401K coming along. So, I was straight. No worries here - right?

- Depression set in. Not big time - but enough. All I wanted to do was lay around the house. That was it. I didn't want to shower...I didn't feel like doing anything. I'm a fighter though - by nature - so that didn't last too long.

- I got a plan together and got excited. I figured if cupcakes were the thing - then, let's open up a joint. I stopped baking completely for about 6 weeks cuz I had a plan to work.

- I had to raise money to open a real cupcake joint. That was an experience in an of itself. I had about 40 people who expressed interest one way or another. In the end I had raised 9,500.00 with another 3,000 out of my pocked. That initial meeting was August 1, 2009.

- Let's just say trying to find the right location took FOREVER. But I found it...and it needed work...it still needs work...it's not where it should be...but it's better than it was! Freezer was there. Refrigerator was there. Convection oven was there. Counter space was there. It was up to Chicago Health Code! I'm glad I wasn't too busy looking at what wasn't in order to realize what was!

- November 7, 2009 - 10 Months after making my first cupcake ever...I opened the doors to The Cupcake Gallery! It was amazing.

To see what's happened in just one short year is nothing short of amazing. Only a merciful God could make this possible. I'm totally grateful and am in a praise mode for looking back over the last year of my life.

I think there's something to be said about preparation. It's key in anything that you do. Lots of people have their idea of how they will achieve success in life - I don't see movement though. I don't see progress. I see no preparation. How can one achieve, less he prepare? That's what I did and when opportunity knocked, I answered...ready to receive.

If there's anything in your mind that says you can't, you have THE power to speak over it and tell it, you can. Anything your mind sees, you can achieve. As a matter of fact, go after what's in your mind versus what you eyes can see. This way of thinking brings new dimension to your actions. You move ahead with clear vision and that's what eventually becomes your reality.

I'm looking at the last year of my life...God's hand is upon it like never before. As I journey on this next year and embark upon new challenges, I pray His hand continues to guide! Listen, now that I know and have experienced what's possible with preparation and God's providence, look out - you ain't seen nothing yet. This next 365 days will be exciting and challenging...but all worth it in the end!

Keep Dreaming,

-Darius