I just started a cake business with my mom and one of the teachers at my school hired me to make her relative's 30th b-day cake. All I have to work with is she's turning 30, her names barb, I need enough for 40 people, and we need at least two two layered "8 cakes one chocolate and one vanilla both with chocolate frosting. I've designed one already that has starburst presents but I need a good tasting color border and a whole nuther design. Oh yah is two doulbe layers enough and how much should I charge. Please, I need all the help I can get. Thanks!

2 8in cakes is not enough to feed 40 party size portions.

Portions size varies based on your cakes and the serving chart that works for your cakes. For me, I use the wilton chart because my cakes are tall and I torte and fill so my portions aren't skimpy but others don't like the wilton chart because they don't feel the portions sizes are big enough. You can look at wilton's and earlene moore also has a serving chart that is more generous on her site.

For my cakes, I could make 2 9in cakes and feed 40.

As far as colors if you use Americolor gels to color your icing there is no worries about it changing the taste at all! I will never use wilton colors again.

As far as what to charge you have to look at your area to determine the "going rate", your level of expertise, the difficulty of the design, etc.

For any business you need to look at what prices your area will support, what it actually costs you per cake, how many servings you get from your cakes, etc. The customer looks to you to be the expert so it's best to be prepared.

Good luck with your new venture and welcome to CC!

Hey beautifulbutterfly=) Do you have any idea of her passions/likes....dogs/cats/reading/kids/her work, church,things like that?? Knowing a little bit more about the person would help with making a design for them=) You could always make a "30" monogram and paint it with lusterdust(with lolipop sticks in it to hold it up) for the top and do some basic decorating on the cakes, but it really makes it more "personal" if you can make the cake based of of her=) Hope that made sense?? Jen

As to what to charge, you really do have to know what your area can handle. Call your local bakers and ask what they would charge for a similar cake for 40 people.

As to ideas for the cake, remember 30 can be a touchy year. If you dont know her hobbies or likes, You could try to incorporate something like life starts at 30......, or something on the upbeat. Good Luck.

Thanks I'll make sure to use 9in pans. About the prices I usually charge $12.00 for a two layer round cake, but I know that's too cheap. The Krogers next to us charges $16.99. So does that sound about right? I never met the birthday girl before but maybe I'll try something floral. If you have any more knowledge on anything please reply. Keep me in your prayers.

She just picked them up a little while ago and I think she really liked them. I didn't put the girls name or age so she made me icing them on so it looked kind of strange. Mom is going to sign me up for a decorating class before I take any more orders. Plus I've got a teacher who wants me to do her wedding cake so I need the practise. Thanks for all your help guys. I'll post some pics of them when I figure out how.

haha good luck with all your decorating! im trying to convince my mom to let me take classes..

cocoacourtny, sounds like as far as your age, you are young and living with Mom? You could tell her that by taking classes, it will give you a hobby and a way to make extra money that WILL actually force you to be home more. Less for mom to have to worry about. I think taking the classes is a fantastic thing for any young woman or guy to do. Good luck...

thanks :] and yes i am young, im sixteen. and i wanna pursue a career in cake decorating. im already taking advanced studies in cake decorating as a class in highschool, but thanks. i didnt think of the "it will give me more money, and ill be home more."