I have been taking all my practice cakes to work and a coworker asked if I could make her husbands birthday cake next month. I said sure and I won't charge you too much since I am still learning. She said "so what? about a $100.00." I can't even imagine charging this much. Anyway when discussing design, she asked for a sheet cake, and no flowers. Other than that she doesn't care too much about design. Flavor would be a basic butter type cake with strawberry filling and buttercream frosting. I was thinking swirls and shapes with bold colors. I haven't done anything in fondant type frostings (I am feeling intimidated by them) so I want to stick with what I know. Of course I have a month to "practice" some more. What do you all think? I have spent the past 2 hours (addicted?) looking over all the posts that say "manly" in them and thats the best I have come up with so far.
$100.00 is not to much for a full sheet cake! I get 35.00 for a 1/4 sheet with basic design and wouldn't make it for any less. The time we put into these cakes is worth something so please do not feel badly for asking and receiving for $100.00 on a basic sheet cake.
Blues and chocolate brown make an awesome manly cake IMO. This is what I am doing for my dh's bday next month.
Congrats on your first cake order!! 
Does he have a favorite sports team? That seems to be most popular for people that order from me for men. FBCT work really well for them, too.
Also, don't be afraid of fondant. I just covered my first cake with fondant and it was fun. I can't wait to do more with fondant!!
I charge 70 for a full sheet because thats all the market will allow for, or I would lose business. (I actually had a customer who bought from me many times before tell me I could sell more if I "kept my prices lower." I then proceeded to tell him how much boxes cost, how much all of the pans and supplies cost, oh and that I was delivering 3 full sheet cakes for free, so he didnt have to drive 40 miles?!) As for fondant, its tons of fun to work with, but I wouldn't venture doing a full sheet of it for your first attempt. You may shoot yourself, or your arms might fall of first with all the rolling'kneading required and the quantity of fondant needed to cover something that size! Practice on a smaller round cake first and you will be hooked!
Thanks for all the input. I have over a month to practice, maybe she will come up with more details a little closer to the date. If I do fondant it wouldn't be for covering the cake, but for making the extra decorations for it. I will probably only charge the amount it costs me for supplies, since it is experience for me and she is a friend. Also, without the license or seperate business I don't want to get fined. I really appreciate all the valuable information and support that everyone on CC hands out. You guys are GREAT!!!
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