I Don't Think I'm Destined For Cake Decorating
Decorating By melxcloud Updated 12 Aug 2006 , 5:10pm by JulieB
I want to start a baking/cake decorating business on the side. I've been making cakes of 2 years now and people know i make cakes and want to start a business. But no one aside from 1 order for a bridal shower cake for my cousin (hence free) has asked me to make a cake for their event. I have 2 good friends who both have kids with their baby's 1st birthdays coming up and neither wants me to make the cake. One says they want to order it from the grocery store because "its easier" and the other wants to make the cake herself (understandable to me). I've let it known at my office that I'd like to make the cakes for our staff events and our HR person said she'd be interested, but then our staff event comes around and I never hear from her.
I feel like a beggar if i have to ask to make the cake. Everyday seems more hopeless when it comes to my dream. I really want to make this happen, but if I don't have any customers than what am i supposed to do?
I read all these stories about folks who have brought a cake to an event and everyone raved and then a person or two would approach them to make a cake for them. Well I get raves, but no one has ever asked me to make a cake in that situation. I don't know if maybe my cakes don't taste as good as people say (are they trying not to hurt my feelings?) or if they just aren't that nice looking? Or something about the culture of where I live. I'm just frustrated and ready to quit on this.
Your cakes are beautiful!!! I can't offer a reason for no orders other than that some people are cheap!! If this is something that you are passionate about, don't quit. It takes time to get going. I have been decorating for over a year and have done most of my cakes for a small group of people at my office. I just got my first wedding cake order from someone who tasted a cake that I had given a friend as a gift.
I can't tell you how many free cakes I have made in the last year. But, I love doing it, so even without business I will continue one way or the other because I need the practice and I love doing it. Keep your chin up. Your cakes are awesome!! I love the Dump Truck cake you made for your son, it was fantastic!!!
Cindy
I'm kinda in the same boat. I live in a small town and most of my friends are SAHMs, and make their own. I'm trying to branch out a bit and do cookie bouquets as well. I've put my business cards around, but nothing. The only calls I get, which are few and far between, are from my cake teacher. She'll give out my name if she can't do it herself.
Not too long ago, I got a call for a wedding cake. This lady's niece sprung the wedding on them and her parents wouldn't pay for it. the lady who normally makes cakes for her moved and didn't want to travel too far int eh hot summer with a cake in her car. So I tell her my price and she was like her friend would've done it for $60. A wedding cake for 125 people for $60!! i had to tell her flat out I couldn't do it for that.
Have a little patience! When you do get those calls, it'll be worth it! 
Maybe they think it will cost too much and they will be embarassed if they ask you, you give them a price, and they aren't willing to pay it.
Perhaps you can make a small flyer with the pictures of cakes you have already done, and write right under them what the price would be, and post it on a bulletin board or wall where your prospective customers can see it, they will be able to consider.
If you really want to pursue this you should! It looks like you have taken the Wilton classes and a cookie class. If you can and are interested try classes in additional techniques using gumpaste and fondant and make practice cakes for family and friends. Your confidence and exposure will go up with time as with all of us.
Would you be able to share the Antonia's cookie recipe for frosting cookies with me? If so post a reply or PM it to me....
Best Wishes....
Please don't get discouraged!! 
I do have a few suggestions...
1) It might be helpful to make up some creative/cute inexpensive business cards with your name and contact information. I would keep a card on me at all times to hand out to anyone who compliments my cakes.
2) Post your business card on any and all bulletin boards you see. Grocery store, gym, library, church etc. If you really want to advertise, put an inexpensive classified in your Sunday paper.
3) Make a little 5x7 photo album to keep with you too that shows the cakes you have made and include prices if you feel comfortable. Show this to all that are interested in cakes. You could also contact local catering companies and see about "partnering" your services.
Word of mouth is a great way to get the word out but the more you advertise...the more business will come your way. My feeling is that once you put the word out, you are going to actually be turning down jobs because you will be so busy.
Good luck!
I don't have any experience with cakes for a living but maybe you could try some different advertising. It's funny but sometimes it's people who don't know you will be more willing to give you a shot. And I agree with the Cindy, you can always use this time to practice and learn new techniques.
You really do have to be patient. I started cakes as a hobby 4 years ago. I just started teaching myself and learned more and more by reading and practice. I did a whole lot of free cakes for nieces and nephews and friends. And even though everyone said they thought they were great (now I look back and realize they were just alright) I didn't get many orders. I took a little over a year off at the end of my last pregnancy and then until my baby turned a year. Then I got a call from an old client wondering if I was back up, and it spread from there. Now I'm shocking myself and everyone else and the business is almost more than I can handle. I also recently had to go up on prices because I was getting ripped! Big time! (3 tiered fondant for $85! My first wedding I did for $90! 
) But I look at it as it was a great way to learn, polish, and get my name out. Now I'm getting kids birthday cakes for $150 and up! Sometimes it takes a while, but if you keep at it, it will happen. Your cakes look great already and will only get better. As far as taste, I think we all know if our cakes are good or not, and if they taste good to you then they probably are. If you question, then make one for a good friend and ask them to seriously critique it for you. And maybe together you could decide what if anything you may need to change. Business cards and flyers are a great way to get your name out. I have a florist/gift shop that I use a lot and I donated their last open house cake,so now they keep flyers at the desk for me. Maybe check to see if any in your area would like either a cake or cupcakes to hand out (especially with the holidays around the corner) and they could give out cards or flyers for you. Schools are another way to get your name out. See if you can donate a cake for a dance or party. (Teachers love cakes!!!) Remember that it takes coming out on the short end at the beginning sometimes to get your start, but when it takes off, you'll come out ahead. Good luck!!!
Now I'm getting kids birthday cakes for $150 and up!
If you don't mind, where do you live? I cannot fathom anybody around here spending that kind of money on the cake alone ... unless it's a bat mitzvah or extremely special occasion.
$150.00 for a kids birthday cake???? 
I want to know where you live too!!! And if there are any houses for sale in your neighborhood. 
I'm trying to start out as well and it is slow going. I've done a couple of cakes for friends & family and lots of freebies at work with my practice cakes and everyone says how fantastic they taste etc but I don't get hardly any orders! I put some cards I had done by a couple of cakes I did (one retirement and one wedding) and they all went, but still nothing a few months later. I think I'd feel funny putting my cards up in shop windows etc as if I'm pushing myself on people! Maybe shouldnt' feel like that but for some reason would prefer someone to come up to me and want a cake cos they'd seen or tasted one of mine already. Does that sound strange?!!!! cheers Jan
I live in a suburb of New Orleans and the rage around here right now is the Multi tiered fondant whimsy cakes for kids. Now don't get me wrong, I do still do smaller cakes for much less. But I have been fortunate to find people wanting extremely elaborate cakes for kids. And it just seems to roll once you start. Now, I will admit, we are all about parties down here. And when we have one, it's all on! But I can tell you that before I started making cakes, I paid $80 for 1/4 sheet buttercream with elmo on it from the popular bakery in my part of town. And I have heard that since "the storm" they are charging simular prices but doing little work on the cakes. (EX. Iced and trimed, and you go buy the figurines for them to put on top.) I'm not going to say that you will always get people wanting these elaborate cakes. But some people just want the cake to be the centerpiece. And yes, there are houses for sale in my neighborhood. And I could definitely use a good CD to pass some business on to from time to time!!!
All the suggestions are really good. I made a lot of cakes for free, but it got me business! Make sure you give a bunch of business cards to your customers. When parents drop off their children to a birthday party, the birthday child's mom usually tells them to come look at the cake - and is happy to give them a business card! Good luck!
I wanted to make a business out of cakes also but it just isn't going that way so i've decided to focus more on my studies (college courses) and get through school faster. People in my neighborhood would rather have a cake from the bakery Yuck! Although I will admit before I gathered recipes, from CC of course, and started making cakes myself, I actually thought the bakery cakes were good. Now their just gross! So I just said forget making cakes for profit because I don't have time to pursue something that just isn't going anywhere and focus on getting a college degree that will go somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I still love making them for my family but the money dream has died and been buried.
I just recently discovered my passion and potential talent for cake decorating but I do have some advice based on experience with other sales ventures (and that's what this is too). I gave up for the exact same reasons you mention. I now wish I had heeded the wisdom of those that had gone before me...
First - don't give up - get your name out there! You've already gotten some really good suggestions here on how to do that.
Second - your "real" client base will be people other than friends and family. They will most likely be the people you practice on and it won't be easy (although it is possible) to turn them into customers.
And one of the things I keep as my "mantra" and something that was just taught to a friend at a corporate training session recently:
Do what's in your heart and the money will follow.
Now - when I'm ready to start doing this for real and am discouraged I hope I remember my own advice!
before I started making cakes, I paid $80 for 1/4 sheet buttercream with elmo on it from the popular bakery in my part of town.
I truly cannot believe that is the going price for a little cake like that! Minimum wage up her is about $7 per hour. I cannot imagine that a person would pay more than a day's wages for a birthday cake! Although I doubt a person making minimum wage would ... but I'm just using it as a comparison. Even someone making twice that much would consider it too expensive to pay that much for a child's birthday cake.
JanBabe, Most of my cakes are from word of mouth advertising. As you said, somebody who has seen and tried one of my cakes. I have cards on a few business bulletin boards; but I don't get orders from them either.
Don't give up......my business was pretty slow when I first move here. I started making sure I knew when co-worker's birthdays were....making cakes and brining them into the office. That has gotten me a lot of business.
Also...........and trust me on this one. Your hairdresser is your greatest source. I took a cake into my hairdresser and my business took off. She tells her co-workers and also her clients. Make a cookie bouquet and take it to her or him and have them sit it at their station with a stack of your cards. They are your best source of advertising. Make up some cards and keep them with you at all times. Hand one or two or three to the grocery clerk, the ladies at the DMV, anywhere you can.
I had a man in to run a gas line...I handed him some cards....and I got a cake order from him the next week. Also had someone install some new appliances, gave them both a stack of cards. Anyone you think will come in contact with other people on a daily basis, give them a card or 2.
Good luck and hang in there................the business will come 
WOW! I was just about to start a thread on this very topic! I feel very discouraged tonight! It was my neighbours brothers birthday today and they didn't even order a cake from me! I made their daughters birthday cake (the brown dog in my photos) and one of her friends ordered a cake from me (forgot to take a picture of that one 
) and everyone at the party raved about that cake and kept bugging my neighbour all night asking who made the cake.....but no orders!! 
I'm so very worried that my cakes don't taste good or something else is wrong. I'm very frustrated. I have a baby shower cake coming up on the 22nd for a friend and really hope I will get some business from this. I know I still need a lot of practice but my cakes aren't all that bad.........I don't think??? What else can or should I do?
My advice just ecchos everyone else's...BE PATIENT!! If your doing what you love then getting paid to do it is just an added bonus!! I've been doing cakes for over a year and things are just starting to roll for me. Please don't get discouraged...I saw your gallery and you have nothing to worry about. Your cakes are fabulous and people would be stupid not to get you to do a cake for them. If it's about money, maybe offer to charge less if they will advertise for you. I did a cake for a friend once and only charged her for supplies but made her promise to put the word out and I got 2 cake orders from her one! And then it made up for what I didn't charge my friend!! Good luck and please don't stop doing what you love!!
i have come alone way......and i still have a long way to go...however keep at it and it will pay off. i did a football cake for my husband coworker...as he was walking back to his ship another coworker stop him and ask where did he get the cake from..he told him that i made cakes,and bingo i got another order 3 cakes this weekend.....so please be patient and your time will come.....and your cakes are really nice....i really like your wedding cakes.....every thing i have learned i have learned on my own and from CC but mainly from this site.
I don't make cakes to sell, but have a comment. I keep seeing where people say their customers would rather go to Walmart for a crappy cake...don't appreciate how much work it takes.....don't appreciate our talent.....how could they want a tasteless cake instead....am I really not good...etc.
I think there is a big thing to remember - not everyone can AFFORD a nice cake. It's not that they don't want a custom cake that tastes as wonderful as it looks, but they just can't afford it. Especially with the cost of throwing a party. Even when making my own cake I can spend well over $200 bucks on decorations, prizes, gifts bags, etc.
So I guess what I am saying is that try and not take it personal by thinking you aren't good enough. It could be that they just don't have the money.
Keep making your cakes and eventually you will find the people that can afford to pay for a nice cake.
Okay, that's my 2 cents worth.
I'm in the same place. I made the one cake for pay (the piano) and now I'm flat out free for eternity, as far as I can tell. There have been inquiries, but no bookings. The one wedding I thought I had for the end of September is questionable, since the bride is asking her planner to check into day old sheet cakes. I guess a $$$ issue. My mom would go to Kroger before she'd hire me for anything she's throwing, and I've had neighbors gripe about the price of a $32 half sheet cake, even though she's throwing a $300 party for the kid.
Makes one wonder about their skills. But if it makes you feel any better, I've seen your cakes and they are great. So I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya, and I'm sure something will come up soon.
Ok, I don't sell cakes; didn't want to when people used to ask me. However, reading these posts made me think. You need to seek out clients who will pay to have their cakes made and not snark about the price. Men and their sports cakes; women with time consuming professions. In general, people who are willing to pay someone else to clean their homes or mow their lawns. They are the ones with the descretionary money to buy a fancy cake for a kid's birthday, not the ones who are looking for day old cakes a walmart. You need to figure out who your market could be and then catch their attention.
Thanks for posting this topic. I feel the same way (although I haven't been trying as long - actually I just started!). But I feel the same way. I hate what I do for a living and I keep thinking - how can I start making money at this?
Everyone on here has made some really helpful suggestions, and I just wanted to thank everyone. Also, I wanted to say "Good Luck" and please don't give up!!!
Amber
I feel you sister!!!!!! I have been doing "practice cakes" as my mother likes to call them for my family and want to do this for $. Not one friend has asked me to make a cake for them, no offers from DH's work (who I send freebies to), no neighbors, relatives, church members! They asked us to a lunheon and had a SAMS CAKE THERE! Ouch!
I would like to start up a shop for the same reasons as you. I want to do this...but someone needs to order! How frustrating!!!!!!!!!
Also...........and trust me on this one. Your hairdresser is your greatest source.
Hairdresser!! What an awesome idea!! Where's the phone?!??! Gotta make an appt!
Great suggestions out there, but remember you have to be careful who you give your name out to and where you advertise. Putting an ad in the paper or posting on bulliten boards could get you into trouble with the health department if you're not licensed. Here in Indiana you have to have a separate kitchen and all that to be a business. So just be careful.
But do be patient too. There are lots of potential customers out there.
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