Free Computer Classes a Sweet Treat for Cake Decorator By Carla Rachkowski Clovis, NM – Just talking to Judith Gaeta about her blossoming interest in cake decorating will make you hungry. Bubblegum and marshmallow roses, gelatins containing beautifully intricate three dimensional flowers, decorated cakes, and iced cupcakes in a rainbow of colors have been her hobby for years. Someday, with the help of free computer classes offered at the library, she hopes to start a business and make these sweet treats available to Clovis area residents. Judith Gaeta and her family are new to Clovis. Born and raised in California, once their oldest daughter got out of elementary school, she and her husband started looking to relocate. They wanted to find a place with small town attributes; a place away from the hectic California lifestyle. After a visit to Clovis, they decided it fit the bill. “I love it here. The school system seems better and they understand the importance of giving kids time to be with their family,” she said. Simultaneously, Gaeta wanted to get back into the workforce after 13 years as a stay at home Mom. Without Internet access at home, she went to the Clovis-Carver Public Library several times a week to access the Internet and look for a job. It was there that she signed up for the free computer and Internet training classes from Fast Forward New Mexico that were coming to the library. As the training started, it occurred to her husband that she should consider starting her own cake decorating business. She already had a certificate in cake decorating, received after a full year of instruction, and a love for her hobby. Gaeta liked the idea and has started thinking about the possibility of opening her own business. Her business’s mission would be to provide delicious homemade goods that remind customers of their mother’s cooking. Gaeta took all of the eight of the free hands-on training classes offered by Fast Forward New Mexico. One half of the classes taught basic computer and Internet skills and the other half taught entrepreneurs, small businesses, and those thinking of starting a business how to use Internet tools to increase their profitability. “When I came to the first class, I hardly knew how to turn a computer on,” she said. “I was really concerned about privacy and security and was afraid that something terrible might happen if I hit the wrong button. The basic computer classes enabled me to help my kids with their school work and to save time by using online banking.”
After completing the basic computer classes, Gaeta took the four classes offered in the Small Business Success series. In these classes, she learned about using Excel for business, wrote a description of her prospective business to use on the Internet, created a Facebook business page, and learned about Twitter and LinkedIn. According to Gaeta, “Once I had a LinkedIn account, I connected with a friend of mine who wanted to learn more about LinkedIn, and I was able tell her about it.” Judy Mattews & Judith Gaeta in class at the Clovis-Carver Public LIbrary Brent Hanifl, the instructor for the Small Business Success classes, even helped her design a logo for her future business. Gaeta started a Facebook business page in class and is continuing to update it by posting photographs of her latest baked creations. Her next step is to use what she learned in class to create a website.
According to Selena Marroquin, assistant instructor, “Judith was amazing to work with in the small business classes. We covered social media topics, all new to Judith; yet, just a few short weeks later, you wouldn't know that just by looking at her Facebook and Twitter pages complete with photos, comments, and a business description. It's been amazing to watch her progress in class and afterwards." “I would definitely recommend these classes to anyone who is thinking of taking them. They are free and the instructors are great,” Gaeta said. “The instructors were very patient and go over things several times, if need be.” Gaeta is currently spending some time researching the possibility of opening her own business, “Judith Cakes”. She imagines offering custom baked goods in a downtown Clovis location, and offering a place for people to sit down to have a cup of coffee and a slice of cake – and Wi-Fi access. “I hope to have my own business someday,” she said. “These classes were a real treat and they showed me the value of high-speed Internet access and how to use the Internet for business. The next time the Fast Forward New Mexico instructors come to town, I told them they should look me up and stop by to get a free cupcake.” A recommendation and a sweet treat – that’s a great way for Fast Forward New Mexico instructors to “have their cake and eat it, too”!