Hi,

I was looking at the pricing matrix and I noticed that the amount per hour for labour is listed at $5.15. Where does that number come from? I'm curious because I'm considering starting a business and I'm looking at whether or not it would be profitable or not.

I made a cake on Saturday for some friends. It was a two-tier cake (7" on top and 10" on the bottom), fondant covered with a gum paste flower and piping. I calculated my material costs to be $32.50, and I worked a total of 9 hours on it. What would I charge? I'm only charging them materials, but if I were to go into business, what would I charge? You can see a couple of my cakes in my profile.

Also, opinions on whether or not you think I should go into business would be appreciated! I'm new at this so I'm not convinced I should do it or not. Do you think I have a shot at making it in this business?

I think the $5.15 an hour is used as an example, not an actual labor cost. Most people have a much, much higher labor hour. There is no picture showing.

The picture is in my profile. Sorry, i thought i uploaded it properly!

Hi,
I can't see a picture, but as far as the amount of money you will charge per hour should be up to you. Would you really take a job for $5 an hour? I know I would not. Why would you set up a business making minimum wage? (or even less...)

I havn't been able to see the pricing matrix as I don't have excel, and I am not sure when it was done but....

from 1997 to 2007 $5.15 was Federal Minimum wage...it has recently gone up...to $7.25 (lower in some states depending on restrictions).

Now my next question is do you REALLY Want an honest answer about going into businees, cause I will give you one, and it will be honest. I don't want to be honest and helpful and then get bashed by another poster calling me rude. I personally liked to be told the truth, not what I want to hear.

I like your cakes and think you could have your own business. But you need to do some research on business and build your portfolio at the same time. I think it would not hurt to work part time for some bakery first.

K8 I'm not asking you, I'm asking the OP.

I wonder what Warren Buffet get an hour?

Mike

LaBellaFlor wrote:
Now my next question is do you REALLY Want an honest answer about going into businees, cause I will give you one, and it will be honest. I don't want to be honest and helpful and then get bashed by another poster calling me rude. I personally liked to be told the truth, not what I want to hear.

Yikes. I guess I got my answer. I took my pics down. They really are my first cakes and I have no training.

Thanks anyway.

Actually, no, that wasn't my answer. I think you have very smooth fondant on your cakes, especially for just starting out. Getting smooth fondant is very difficult and you are very good at it. Second, I can't really tell if you are actually ready to sell cakes, cause the two cakes you show are not really showing a lot of decorating techniques to see if you have sellable cakes. Now a days with all the cake shows EVERYONE wants these over the top decorated cakes. And like another poster said in another thread, it is VERY different selling a cake to a friend or family memeber as oppose to a total stranger. With that said, you asked a business question and you will have business people answer that question, so you may not get a "Yes, your cakes are just as good as Duff,, GO FOR IT"!, which some people are looking for and that's why I ask if you wanted an honest answer.

Thanks for the clarification. It's hard to convey tone via posts, but I'm not being sarcastic. I could sit there and tell you everything that was wrong with both cakes (like the fondant appliques on my son's Sesame Street cake that were WAY too thick and still had some cornstarch on them when I took the picture!)

I definitely wasn't looking for a 'Your cakes are as good as Duff's' answer! I know that I'm far from that and I'm just looking at the business from the standpoint of profitability - I'm actually wondering if it's possible to make a good living at this and still have somewhat of a life on the side. The only person I know who does this full-time works 7 days a week. I'm not convinced that I would love doing this so much as a business because it is extremely labor-intensive and time consuming. I took my pics down because I'm not confident that they're really up to snuff in terms of the Cake Central community and I'm waiting for a cake that I'm truly confident of to post here.

Thanks again!

tsal, put those pics back up there! I have some really god-awful cakes in my pics and I reference them all the time in posts to show "here's how NOT to do it!" I didn't see your cakes before you pulled them down, so in no way am I commenting on your work. What I want to share is that we learn from ALL the cakes on here .... not just the good ones. Plus as you post more and more of your cakes, you'll be able to see your progress, which is a really good feeling! AND .... we are more harsh on our own cakes than everyone else will be.

You were being asked if you REALLY wanted to know (as a newbie, you may not be aware of this), but there have been threads in the past where people have asked for "the honest truth" about their cakes ... they were given good, constructive criticism to help them grow in the craft, and they got all ticked off and accused everyone of being mean and heartless.

Unfortunately, your request got painted with the same brush as those folks who SAY they want honest feedback, but what they really want is rainbows and puppy dog tail comments.

We are looking forward to seeing your work and watching you grow as a CC buddy!!

I never seen your cakes, and I'll give you an honest opinion. I dopn't care what your cakes look like. Can you market? Can you stand for 12 hrs a day? What do cakes in your area go for? Do you have 50,000 laying idle, or does your state allow home bakeries? Do you have small kids that will get in the way? Hubby?


Mike

ok, you two. take this one to a PM, would ya?

costume, that was a great post! "good living" vs. "having a life"! That is Profound Wisdom!

You can make a good living, but I am not sure about life on the side.It's one of the jobs you do 7 days a week.

never mind