How do I get my extended family (aunts, cousins, etc.) to ask me to make cakes for them? I have been providing cakes for family birthdays and showers for the last 3 years, and while a few of our relatives are very supportive, the majority just ignore the fact that I want to do this and pay a lot of money for a mediocre cake from Costco or Walmart!
It is making me frustrated every time I attend an event and there's an ugly sheet cake on the table. I don't charge much, just enough to cover my supplies because I am trying to build a portfolio. And for the record, I believe my cakes taste wonderful, and I have been told this over and over. I have even overheard guests at a shower who weren't aware that I made the cake saying it was the best they'd ever had.
Is it tacky or rude for me to start handing out business cards? Or to offer my services without being asked? For example, there's a baby shower the end of July, and baby cakes are my favorite to do. Could I call up the host and offer to make it? Or do you think that puts them in a bad position? My husband thinks that they just want me to attend as a guest, and not have to work. Help! Thanks, tammie
For baby showers and such, if I'm involved in the planning, I just say "I'll bring the cake and...." That's how I did a few of them. I used to kinda be offended when relatives would go buy a cake instead of even asking me if I wanted to make one. But, I got over it, and just enjoyed the party without having to do any work. I just eat the walmart cake, smile, and think to myself...(mine's much better than this!!). Just reassures me that I do a good job when I have to eat a pre-made bulk cake!! I asked a couple times, "do you want me to make a cake for so-and-so's birthday, they have said no, and I just leave it at that. Their loss!! When they come to my kids' birthday parties, I have to make double the cake because ALL of it goes, so I know they like it, but I guess some people just have their traditions.
Or to offer my services without being asked? For example, there's a baby shower the end of July, and baby cakes are my favorite to do. Could I call up the host and offer to make it?
I don't think it would be rude at all. When my bosses daughter was having a birthday I think I told him I was making his daughter birthday cake. Of course we've been coworkers for ten years and running partners. But still, I think if you've known people long enough and are on a good relationship with them it would be fine.
If you aren't that close, I think you could still call her up and say, "I see you are having a shower in July and I have some wonderful ideas(you could even tell them to her if you're ready with them) and I would really like to make this or that cake for YOU. Or another design that you(read: she) may have." Also mention that you'd only charge for the ingredients and see what she says. If it cheaper than the other cakes they buy I'm sure they'd go for it.
I am dealing with the exact same thing with my in-laws. DH's grandmother's 85th birthday was this past April and the family celebrated with a picnic. Everyone was in charge of bringing something. MIL was in charge of the cake. Do you think she asked me to make it? Of course not. This sort of thing happens all the time. I wouldn't even charge her full price, just the cost of ingredients.
I've also been told repeatedly by other people (not family) that my cakes are delicious and look beautiful. I don't understand the whole buy a cake from Walmart thing either. I mean, if my own MIL won't buy a cake from me, what chance do I have in getting my business to be successful 
I read this and I've been thinking about it. I've got two thoughts about this.
The first (which may be the reason) is that families and friends often don't want you to feel like they are taking advantage of you by making you work - so instead of feeling like they are making you do to much, it is easier to just order the cake from the store in their minds.
In stead of saying thinkgs like, "Do you want me to do the cake for you," try saying "If you would like, I'd love to do the cake for you. I really love decorating and I've got the time to do it and it is really no problem at all."
If they were worried about the "work" for you, then they don't have to worry and they may be more likely to ask.
The second thought I have - and I am in no way saying this is depective of any of you - just an experience I've had with one of my cousins.
A few years ago, my cousing got into decorating. She did a nice job and the cakes always tasted good - but this was the problem. She couldn't stop talking about all the work that went into it. "I had to do this, then I had to do that, and so on and so fourth." We liked to eat the cake and enjoyed looking at it - but got so annoyed listening to her go on and on about the cake. That's why it was easier to "buy" a cake - or just bake betty crocker and frost it from a can.
She eventually got board with the decorating thing and moved on. Now that I am into decorating, I learned from her mistake and make sure to "volunteer to do the cake if so and so would like" and when I arrive, I set it down and walk away and don't talk about my decorating experiences (that's what cc is for). More times than not, someone starts the "how did you do this, or that" and I will answer - but I try not to make it seem like I was put out by doing it.
Again - I am not saying that any of you do this - and I think all of your cakes are great....but it might give you some motivation as to why families act the way they do.
Sometimes, people just forget that we do cakes. A friend was talking about the upcoming party for her son. She knows I do cakes, I have brought a cake to her house, and we have talked about them before. I offered to do her son's cake, and she was all "Oh, YEAH! That's right - you make cakes!" DUH!
Sometimes, you just have to remind them. Other times (like my fiance's mother) people just have to buy a cake, no matter what. My sil-2-be asked me to help her make a cake (progress!) and ended up sitting back saying "wow! I didn't know you could do that! What's the paper towel for? What is a fbc-whatsit" and now she is starting to ask for cakes. I ended up making a deal with her, too, since she plans the parties. I will decorate, if she bakes.
Just remember, family is NOT always the support it should be!
"I mean, if my own MIL won't buy a cake from me, what chance do I have in getting my business to be successful "
That's exactly my point! If they won't support me, well, how can I feel like I can charge strangers, and more importantly, who will spread the word for me! My MIL is the same - we just celebrated 3 birthdays at once, and she made sure to tell me she was making the cake. It was frosted with canned cream cheese frosting and she wrote in her awful handwriting with store bought gel. I didn't eat any of it. Petty, I know, but come on.
I get lots of comments about "how do you do this with 2 babies at home?" I always say that cake decorating is my stress reliever. And how much I enjoy doing it. I guess I will just continue to make cakes for my biggest supporters, and forget about the others. I have sent around an email with my website to them, so I know they know. Maybe I will do a mass mailing with business cards and a short letter asking for their support. That way I know they know. Then, when I am famous (ha!) they will wish they had asked.
"I mean, if my own MIL won't buy a cake from me, what chance do I have in getting my business to be successful "
That's exactly my point! If they won't support me, well, how can I feel like I can charge strangers, and more importantly, who will spread the word for me! My MIL is the same - we just celebrated 3 birthdays at once, and she made sure to tell me she was making the cake. It was frosted with canned cream cheese frosting and she wrote in her awful handwriting with store bought gel. I didn't eat any of it. Petty, I know, but come on.
I get lots of comments about "how do you do this with 2 babies at home?" I always say that cake decorating is my stress reliever. And how much I enjoy doing it. I guess I will just continue to make cakes for my biggest supporters, and forget about the others. I have sent around an email with my website to them, so I know they know. Maybe I will do a mass mailing with business cards and a short letter asking for their support. That way I know they know. Then, when I am famous (ha!) they will wish they had asked.
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