Hi everyone,
I have to let it out... I'm so discouraged right now... I've been baking for a while, but I just started to take pictures of my cakes, so I don't have that many... I've told friends and family since I've joined CC that I was baking and that I'd be taking orders. I can't place fliers because of the license thing, so I have to rely on them... And so far I haven't gotten any orders. I've asked my sister in law to take a cake to church as a donation along with some business cards, but right off the bat she said she could try but she didn't know it was going to work because most of the women are stay at home moms and some work with catering... Also, when I bake for the family, I don't charge, so I haven't actually gotten one single order...I'm so sad!!!
Anyway... I'll continue to bake for my husband and myself... Thank Goodness I don't gain weight that easily, but I wonder how high my cholesterol is... 
Well, I love this site, it's like a circle of friends helping each other...
Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Don't be discouraged..the first year I was like that and then it started.After each birthday cake I did...another childs mom called and it has snowballed!!!Keep your chin up!!!
If your sister-in-law is willing, I would try it, despite her gloomy forecast.
Just another idea...in my area the local Boy Scouts always have a bake sale. Also, if you get your hair done, you might try your local hair salon. Ladies always like to nosh and you may get actual paid orders that way. If you have children in school, you might have an opening there to offer a cake.
Hi Mardia79
I have been doing cakes for about a year now and the orders are coming in slow so please do be discouraged it all takes time, when you cant hand out bussiness cards because of the licensing thing it all takes time. Your cake are wonderful give it so time and keep on baking it will fall into place!!!!!!!!!!!
Do I understand it's been 2 months then about baking the cakes and such? If that's so, then that's not much at all. Business doesn't come to you right off the bat most of the time. It takes a LOT of work to get to the stage that you can treat it as a business. Licensed or not.
I know exactly how you feel. I'm in the military and I'm going to get out in 2 years. I'm trying to build my business so that when I get out, I know I have enough work to pay the bills. I try to spread my name around without actually advertising (no license either) but it seems like I get no calls. I can't add up how much money I've spent on "pro bono" cakes, just trying to show everyone what I can do. Everyone says they're great and I really have a gift, but still no calls. Seems like months go by and then all of a sudden, I get a few. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is hard. Good luck and I hope you get some orders soon.
Samantha
ah ok, well... It will take more time to get your name out there and known. I'd do the backe sale and those kinds of things and have a portfolio of what you are capable of doing, with you. You never know when you will pick up that first order. Then as already said, they will start slowly but surely coming to you.
Just hang it there.....it always starts off slow!!! I've been baking & taking orders for a little over two year now and pretty must just used my friends as my stepping board. But they can only have so many bdays, parties and such. But slowly, orders are starting to come in....now!!! It'll come.....bake sales are a GREAT way to get your name out there. I pretty much did 'free' cakes for about a year before I even charged.....and I volunteered to bake a cake for every 'event' I knew was happening.....most of the time for free!!!
Hang in there.....Your cakes look great...and the orders will come. Guess I could be cheesy here...."If You Bake It....They Will Come" 
Christine
First, your cakes are great, and your roses are perfection! Now on to the important business....I started in 1972. I am not legal. I have ALWAYS given out my business cards & flyers. I have never had a problem. My business cards are 2 sided. The descriptions are on the front & price list is on back. Some people do not like to put prices on, but I also state that some cakes will cost more due to techniques. May I also add, that even tho I am experienced, we moved to a new state 3 years ago & it has taken to just this year that I am busy with orders. Things take time. It will happen. But in the meantime, keep baking sample cakes of all kinds, take pictures & your portofolio will grow. It does pay to look professional, though. If you have business cards, an album, a flyer you can give them with flavor choices & prices & a contract, it will give the customer a sense that you do know what you are doing. Good Luck! Helen PS oh, & when you do do the sample cakes, give them to a new person each time. The fact that they can taste your work is important.
I think that everyone has a slow start. I have been able to get a lot of business through my daughter's friends. I have done several cakes for her friends as gifts...but in return the moms give my name to everyone.
I think the church thing is a good idea. I recently donated some cakes to my church and have already received 2 orders.
Keep your head held high and don't give up! 
i alway take something to work cake cookies food i like to cook. I have gotten business tha tway, my friends no longer ask me to bake for free and i do not offer, unless we are having a potluck at work. time will come. i'm getting ready to go to japn i just hope i will be able to sell my cakes their, i heard that their sweets are not like ours. well good luck and i'm pretty sure your time will come. maybe bake somthing for your husband and have him take some cakes to work. well good luck
Make a few 6 in cakes and maybe put just one rose in the middle. Take them to your doctor, dentist, vet., hair dresser, church, children's teacher, husband's work etc. with lots of cards. Now is the time to get your name out there before spring.
Good Luck and be patient. I know, I have been there.
It does take time and freebie cakes to offices and events are a great way to get your name out. It starts slow but it snowballs pretty fast! Friends are a great source! Your cakes look great! You'll be fine, just be patient! I put a kitchen in my basement a year ago and the saying "Build it and they will come" has really proven true. I dont advertise and I keep busy w/ family, friends and word of mouth.
If you bake them they will come. Seems like there are a lot of babies being born soon so I have received a lot of baby shower inquiries. You might want to check into some of the baby stores in your town and take some cards to the people that do the registrations for parents for their baby showers. Might not hurt to take them a cake too and ask if they can include your card with the information when they register for their shower. I have a great feeling about your business. Your passion will prove to be just what is needed to get the ball rolling. You are very talented and people just need to hear about you. Do you have a website? I have a person in Austin that did mine and she is so reasonable. She can help sit one up for you and even maintain it if you want her to but all you really need is something simple that has images of your work on it. I didn't spend a whole lot of money trying to get the big search engines to pick me up. I was just patient and after almost 1 1/2 years they found me and now have picked me up. It is nice to have it on your card so people can pull you up and see how magnificent your work is. Don't forget to stop by the wedding shops and ask if you can leave some cards. Also florists will often have a collection of different vendor cards where you might leave some.
You should take charge of marketing yourself. It does not sound like your family is the type to bring in customers to you. That's ok since they are not the ones trying to start a side income. If you are not connected to the community, then orders will be slow to come in. Do you belong to a church, mommy group, private school, PTA board, girl scouts, or any type of group? Work and community groups are simply the best way to reach a lot of people. You've got to socialize in order to spread the word your cake decorating.
I would not suggest handing out business cards to retail stores since you are not licensed. The wedding stores and florists here would trash a card from a homebaker as they already promote licensed businesses.
Good luck!
I have had good success putting free ads on www.craigslist.com for your local area! If you post in the "general" section, you can even post up to four pictures of your work!
I paid $100 to put an ad in the local newspaper and got nothing... but I have posted every couple weeks for free on Craigslist and I get several calls/emails every time!
It takes a long time to get your name out. I moved here just over 3 years ago and I am only now getting to where I get between 1-3 orders per weekend, and that has only been in like the past month or two.
My website helps too, there are lots of ways to get a free website. But until you get that up, just put a free ad and a couple of your best pix on Craigslist (make sure you put the right URL, if you skip the "s" I have heard you will be shocked at the site you end up at!) and see what happens!
Good luck!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%