Today I had the honor of interviewing business owner, Becca White. She makes baby shower cakes out of diapers and they're simply beautiful! If you've ever wondered why someone would do such a thing, how to get started, or even where to buy them, then you'll enjoy this interview...

How did you get into making and delivering diaper cakes? What makes your diaper cakes stand out from your competition? What types of materials do you use that makes your cakes better?

A while back my sister in law had a baby shower and I did not want to give a gift with the chance someone else would give the same thing. I stumbled upon diaper cakes on the internet and was astounded by some of the prices being asked for cakes that were just made out of diapers and ribbon!! I loved the idea of giving Amy a diaper cake so I decided to figure out how to do it myself. The feedback I got about Amy's cake was great. I decided to start making them, myself, for profit. That was about seven months ago and my business is really starting to take off now.

I pride myself on my custom work and I am pleased to say that no two custom cakes will ever be the same. I offer two styles to choose from: Diapers as Icing is made in such a way that the diapers, themselves, are decorative; Blankets as Icing is made with high quality receiving blankets (or crib sheets, hooded towels, or nursing smocks) surrounding the individual layers. Offering the two different styles allows my clients to better choose a cake that is appropriate for the spirit of their occassion. Choice is always an asset! There are not a lot of diaper cake companies that offer a choice.

I include MANY premium diapers in my cakes. A lot of diaper cake companies make cakes with around 30 diapers. My blankets as icing cakes come with about 65 diapers (for a 3 tier cake) and my diapers as icing come with about 100, this is more than twice what most diaper cake companies put in their cakes. I only use high quality items in my cakes.... Huggies, Johnson and Johnson, Gerber, and Carter's just to name a few. I really do feel that the gift we give baby should be a measure of the love we have for this new little person....and I want every person that is gifting one of my cakes to be proud of EVERY SINGLE aspect of their gift. I will not cut corners and I will not place low-quality items in my cakes....ever. I keep my prices low by buying in bulk and by keeping an eye out for sales and discounts. Those savings are passed n to my clients. If someone orders a $100.00 cake from me....they are getting a cake that is truly filled with goodies for the new family. Flowers are great on a cake and I use them often....but my diaper cakes also come with lots of great items, too!!

I have to say that making diaper cakes is one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my life. I love to deliver a diaper cake or wreath to the hospital after a child is born...I get to see the family, all together, celebrating this wonderful event. In some small way....I feel like I am contributing to this joy. Sitting down to make a diaper cake is so much fun for me! I love to think

about the new baby this will be for....all the joy the expectant parents will have with their child and all the excitement they will have in those weeks leading up to the birth! Having children is something most of us will do someday, yet it is miraculous EACH time. I love it!

Product businesses often have a lot of overhead. How do you control expenses, keep costs down, and still increase your profit margin?

Utilizing internet purchasing has been an asset for my business and for keeping prices down. I also shop at outlet stores, on occasion, to find unique items for my diaper cakes! At this stage of my business development I am more concerned with making a good name for myself and for my cakes than I am with making a socking profit. I know that if I create a wonderful product....my business will grow. I want 2007 to be about creating a fantastic reputation. I will make money this year because I will take excellent care of my clients. When they are ecstatic about their cakes...they will refer me to their friends and family. When one of my cakes is at a baby shower....the guests will ask who made it. Hopefully those guests will think of me and want to be the one with the diaper cake at the next shower!!

What types of advertising have you found to be the most successful and why?

I am averaging five sales a week right now. This is just slightly under where I want to be. I am taking advantage of community boards like Craigslist and Yahoo! Answers to bring awareness to my business. I am small and because of this I have to say that these boards really are bringing paying clients to my site. This month will be my first venture into actual paid advertising. I will be placing an ad in a local baby magazine that is distributed to the pediatrician and ob/gyn offices in my city. I am hoping to create local awareness through this campaign. I have considered paying for search engine ads...but have decided to just work my tail off and get to the top organically. I reside in Phoenix, Arizona and I am proud to say that I have had orders from eleven states outside my own. People who want a quality diaper cake will go looking for it. I'm not on the first page (yet!)....but the people who have found me were dedicated to finding the right designer for their baby shower gift or centerpiece.

Diaper Cakes by Becca stands for Quality, Beauty, Distinction, and Choice. My clients know this and I hope more people will find me on their quest for the perfect gift for the baby in their life!!

Visit her at http://www.diapercakesbybecca.com/