How Is My Business Doing?? - Vent
Business By HammIamm Updated 26 Apr 2007 , 10:51pm by thedessertdiva
I actually have NO idea!!
i am newer in this town of 5000. i've only been in business for 6 months, and maybe have done a dozen cakes for local folks. and.... i get NO feedback!!!
we'll i am not getting really any referals yet, so i am not sure if i should take that as a hint to indicate how i am doing.
my son goes to the biggest day cake here, and every chance i get i send him with cookies/cakes, anything. right. even at christmas, free of charge, i went to his class and got all the kids to help me decorate a gingerbread house, plus i got them to decorate each a gingerbread man to take home. they were all labled with my business info, but i haven't got a single call from any parent at that facility.
i realize there is a grocery store and a bakery in town, but my product is nothing like theirs. mine is more customized.
i have just introduced "refer a friend and receive a credit"
also, i am home based.
so this weekend is a huge craft show, which i am in. and i am trying to treat this event as a chance to show off my stuff. I do also of chocolate dipped items, so i will be having those up for sale, plus had decorated cookies, and i was thinking of have a slide show running with all my cakes.
i was also thinking of having cake samples. i really don't knwo the best way to do this.
can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get my business up and running??? this is driving me nuts.
I have no idea as it sounds like you have quite a few bases covered. Maybe you could call the people who have bought your cakes and just kind of ask them what they thought about them and explain that you are just starting out and looking for some feedback. Well in any case here is a bump for you and good luck.
I'd have a dummy cake or two, and plenty of business cards. It sounds like you have a lot going on though if you're selling, running a slide show (will it just be on your laptop?), and advising with samples, etc. Make sure that you keep the sample stuff distinct from the sale items. Even if you do the slide show, I'd keep tangible photos of my cakes. Not everyone may be able to see the slides.
Good luck.
Sorry for your frustration. 
You're new in town... it's just gonna take a little time, that's all!
Are you "legal?" Because if you are, you could take out a little ad in the local paper or do a little radio spot. In fact, most small towns have a local radio station nearby - you're a new business in town and maybe they'll interview you on a morning show or something.
Whatever you do, don't give up! Someday soon you'll wake up to find you've got more cake orders than you can handle... 
In a town of 5000 unfortunately half the people are more than likely related...then they're related to the people who own or work in the bakery in town. Are you inspected or legal? I hate to bring up that hot topic, but just wondering. If you are not, the bakery "may" get ugly that you are trying to take some business from them...I only speak of what I know. Also, in a small town, a lot of people do their own baking...
OR, they just don't know you yet. You've been around their kids, but what about the adults? Do you go to PTO, church groups, knitting groups, anything that brings you into the adult world? THAT really helps. When they get to know you-then your orders will come. Don't be "pushy" about it...just make the next PTO fundraiser cake or whatever event they are having. I'll bet they'll say, "OH, I didn't know you baked..." and orders will come in.
Good luck!
you are voicing my worst fears. 
i'm opening my home based bakery in 2 weeks. From what I've seen its all about the referrals. I always hear, well we have a cake lady. 
soon i will be your cake lady and you'll like it! My town actually told me, I don't know why you want a license, why don't you just do it out of your home by word of mouth like everybody else. Um, its illegal!
Things i'm doing. Try running a small ad in the paper. Talk to your Chamber of Commerce. Join the local womens business association. Our newspaper actually does little articles on new businesses. Take something in there and let them know you are a new business and you offer such and such. See if they bite. You have to knock on a few doors before people will knock on yours! btw, love the porche.
thanks to everyone who have responded.
I really don't know what else i should be doing, as I pretty much have done EVERYTHING you've suggested, other then contact my clients to see what they've thought. I just think, what if i call and they say "blah blah cake was nice, but sweet" or "its was a rich" or ya know, what do I say really?? i just feel aquard.
i'm closely involved with the chamber, i've done numerous events, where i have displayed my work and have gotten into the paper for it. i sell my chocolates is a store downtown. i do lots of advertising, every chnace i get!!!!
i am just getting very impatient.
If you are legal then you could branch out to advertise to other close-by towns. Make contact with shops that sell wedding dress, limo companies, even specialty toy stores (for kiddie cakes). Talk to the managers, bring them samples. I wouldn't do the above if you aren't licensed since you may not want to attract attention from the health dept. Depending on word of mouth will take time especially since you are in a small town and you are new to the area. You could send a flyer to previous customers about your referral credit program and see if that helps jump start things!
Sounds like you have done it all... but at this point patience is your enemy....
DEEP BREATH!
As a good business person, never ever criticize another decorator or business that you are trying to make your mark in... I'm sure you haven't, but sometimes it is very hard not to point out the differences in a negative manner.
Like you said, half the town is probably related and that in itself is a hurdle.
Don't let your frustration speak for you, let your work speak volumes for itself.
I live in a very tight-knit small town. Most small towns do not take kindly to strangers... Even in this day and time. Good thing for me, I'm not related to anyone!
Defantly do the craft show and go with all your idea's to show the public your talent and have plenty of business cards. Be mindful that the in town baker might be there and the local inspector. Rocking the boat with the boat with the local bakery my cost you dearly in the long run.
In time, word of mouth and advertisement will pay off. You have only been there for 6 months and the level of success you had previously will come within the next 6 months. The holidays are coming up, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Contact your previous customers and listen to what they have to say... Good, Bad or Indifferent. It is hard to listen to critisim, but without knowing, how can you improve your product? Maybe offer them a discount on their next cake that won't break your bank, but will entice them to come back.
Good Luck -
2 words...Inter-NET!! LOL...
I live in a small town of about 8000 and got to the point where I thought I'd just about reached everyone...so I went online (this is for another business entirely, Im still in the begining phase for my decorator business) and BOOM...I was hitting towns outside my comfort zone. I wasnt a big fan of e-commerce, but I am now!! (my husband still runs that business and its doing quite well).
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