Starting A Cake Business
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One of the most important things to consider when starting a cake business is how much you are going to charge. Below, you can find and article to help you by Vondre and Andreaetta Whaley.
Charge What Your Cake Is Worth!!!
Most home bakers charge too little for their cakes. I guess some people try to compete with the grocery store and that's not going to work if you want to build a profitable business. You'll often here bakers say, "I take whatever you think it's worth," or "It's what I love to do, so just pay me for the ingredients." Does that sound like a person who wants to make a profit from their passion? It sure doesn't.
To be a successful baker, you have to charge what your cake is worth. It's not a simple store bought cake that's been sitting around for a couple of days.
It's a homemade piece of heaven.
It's an original recipe passed down from seven generations.
It's made out of the finest ingredients imported from another country.
It's accented with a glaze and icing made from scratch.
Do you see how those words distinguish your cake from a regular cake purchased in a grocery store? If your cake is a better quality, you should charge premium prices. In other words, when you get ready to bake a cake, you want it to be worth your time.
Why charge $15 for a cake when you can charge $35 - $50 a basic cake. If you decorate it or bake a larger cake, why not charge premium prices? Why charge $1.00 per slice, when you can charge $2.50 per slice or more?
Some people may think it's good to keep your prices competitive with other bakers. I say charge premium prices and you'll attract a clientele who's willing to pay and come back over and over again. They'll also give you referrals and that's good for business!
You must also remember a very important point. People generally appreciate things more when they pay more.
Here's an example:
If you bought a Kia car for $7,000, would you get it waxed on a regular basis with all the bells and whistles or will it be a car to get you from point A to B?
If you bought a BMW for $45,000, would you get it waxed on a regular basis to always look clean and fresh?
Do you see what I mean? They're both cars, but price makes a difference in appreciation. Cakes are the same way.
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10 Cake Selling Tips!
By Andreaetta and Vondre' Whaley
1. Make a list and network with as many wedding planners as possible. The planners are he gateway to the bride when getting wedding cake jobs.
2. Make a list and network with as many photographers as possible. It's a great idea to set up some type of package deal with the photographer and he'll sell your cakes like crazy. You may have to give a discount but you'll get the jobs, especially when couples are trying to save money on weddings.
3. Talk your business. NO ONE will know that you bake cakes unless you tell people that you are in the business. It's best to have a business card to hand out to everyone you meet. I don't want to brag, but my wife and I have the coolest business card in the cake world.
4. Use clear boxes when delivering your cakes and don't forget to stick your label on the box. You don't know how long your cake will be sitting and you want people to be able to see your cake and your label. We've received many calls from people who saw our cake at some party or someone's house and took the number off the label.
5. Make a list of all organizations in your area and offer to bake a cake for free at their next meeting. The secret to getting order with this technique is explain in our course because 99.99% of people who try this, do it wrong.
6. Get local restaurants to sell your cake. Although you must sell your cakes at wholesale prices, you'll get volume orders and the credibility will get you even more personal orders.
7. Sponsor a cake tasting event. This GREAT idea is explained in the cake course and it gives you a great way to generate extra income and a new way to get the word out about your business.
8. Invest in your cake marketing education. Most people who want to bake cakes for a profit never spent a penny on learning how to sell cakes but spend hundreds on cake decorating courses.
9. Call your health department to find out the rules for a cake baking business. In most states, it's pretty easy to set up as long as you deliver your cakes to the client. In places where it's more difficult, it's best to establish an agreement with a local restaurant or a daycare facility that has a kitchen.
10. Always reinvest some of your profits into marketing. You can never, ever scream to the world enough that you bake the best cakes in the world.
I hope this inspires someone who is thinking about selling cakes for profit. Why not get paid for something you love to do?
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Andreaetta and Vondre' Whaley are known as "The Cake Couple." They specialize in helping cake bakers get more customers. You can visit their website at http://www.sellcakeslikecrazy.com/
You can also get a free cake book with all sorts of cake designs and ideas at http://www.FreeCakeBook.com.
Cake Pictures From Free Cake Book . Com
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Comments
To the cake couple! Excellent info you've shared. Home bakers like me have just that exact problem when it comes to pricing cakes. Family yells that I don't charge enough and even friends and neighbors say my cakes are better than any store's. We need you cake couple! Thanks again!
Thanks so much for always providing great insight and tips!
Great tips, thanks for posting! And mmmm, that cake looks yummy :)
Interesting hub. Thanks for sharing!
Great article here!!
I hate the saying you cant have your cake and eat it!! why not!!! lol
I love all the info you send. Thank you so much.
I am going to print this out and send it onto my grandparents, they where thinking about starting something like this! Thanks!
sound advice and a good looking cake.
Great advice!!! question, Where do you get clear cake boxes? Never heard of such. Thanks!
SWEEEEET!
Yummy!
Good read and tips, not that I'm thinking of selling.
My family all love home baking, I always say the reason it tastes better than shop bought is the added special ingredient.........LOVE! You don't get that from shops!
I'm a professional cake baker myself, and i found your tips very yourself. Thanks...
I love baking even though I never thought of starting a business. But some of your tips are universal and can be applied to any small business. Thanks.
You make good points about charging what homemade cakes are worth. The picture looks wonderful, as well.
WOW! A cake business! 2 ladies here started one on their kitcken counter in the late 1980s and by the mid 1990s - they were millionaires!!! They sold the business that is now a deluxe caterer, banquet hall, wedding planner, etc. , etc. Of course, THOSE folks are billionaires! You can do it too. :) I'm your fan.
Great Hub! very informative!
I have enjoyed reading your article and I am sure I would enjoy eating that cake in the picture! lol
Such a comprehensive hub... you should make more!
thanks for the tips... i just started with my business and these points will surely help me.
fantastic and tasty page you have created...
Hello Vondre: This page looks delicious. I just emailed it to my baby sister Mishy who is interested in cake decorating. Best Regards, Cory


















anac1991 says:
3 months ago
great info thanks ,just what i needed it !