Offer Other Services In Addition To Cakes?
Business By czyadgrl Updated 9 Jul 2007 , 11:51pm by cosmicbear
A question for those with any kind of cake biz:
Do you have other skills or offer other serivices next to you cakes, that aren't necessarily related to the cake itself?
What kind of things do you do, and do you find it profitable to offer both, or do people often order more than just cakes from you?
An example - I've seen custom candy wrappers, flower arrangements, and other wedding accessories. Myself, I could do invitations and other printed products or "freelance" design things.
I'm just wondering how it all works out for those that do these sort of additional things, business-wise.
Thanks!
I have an at home business. Right now, I am not too super busy, but I am practicing all the time.
I also offer chocolate fountain rentals. I have only done 1 of these so far, It was very exciting, and fun. We will see where and if this goes anywhere.
I am always on the lookout for something interesting to try.
This site is just the perfect place to let new ideas grow. 
I am a storefront so I offer cake toppers, serving sets, guest books, etc. I have quiet a few rentals like candelabras, arches, table centerpieces, stuff like that. I also keep Carlson Craft invitations, they are very easy to deal with and are very little hassle. As far as food goes, I do all occasion cakes, decorated cookies, dessert cakes, chocolate dipped strawberries and full service catering, so girls can order the full meal from me as well. Of course on that part I do have some help, my Uncle has been in the restaurant business for 25 years, so he's the brains behind that portion of the business! My suggestion would be try anything new, give yourself a timeline and if it's not profitable by that point, scrap it and try something else!
-Lori
I am a storefront so I offer cake toppers, serving sets, guest books, etc. I have quiet a few rentals like candelabras, arches, table centerpieces, stuff like that. I also keep Carlson Craft invitations, they are very easy to deal with and are very little hassle. As far as food goes, I do all occasion cakes, decorated cookies, dessert cakes, chocolate dipped strawberries and full service catering, so girls can order the full meal from me as well....... My suggestion would be try anything new, give yourself a timeline and if it's not profitable by that point, scrap it and try something else!
-Lori
Me too on almost all of this. I dont' do the rentals (but what a great idea!).
Chocolate fountains are very easy and very profitable. I am so inexpensive on them, it's ridiculous but even with paying someone to man it at the reception, I still make a very good profit.
The only other thing I offer other than cakes and favours (in the edible variety) is classes. I offer cake, cupcake and cookie classes where you show up with your 3 friends and have a great time learning to deco something, and then you go home with a treat!
I do custom photo birth announcments and party invites as well. I actually started out doing those but started doing cakes after realizing that I didn't need a license to do it from home in my state (ohio).
I'm really just getting started but I have had someone that orignally just wanted invites end up ordering cake too already so I think it should work out for me.
I have a networking of business friends, we all offer each others services, in other words, I have a D.J., Wedding planners, Photographers, Preachers, Florists, Vocalists, Musicians, and Reception decorators, if a customer comes to me for a cake, I always ask if they already have the above lined up for their wedding or function, this way I can give them the names of my business friends, we all do a 10% finders fee to each other. In turn if a customer goes to one of my florists, she will ask, do you already have someone to do your cake or catering. We all have each others business cards, If a new bride has none of the above then we can create a package deal and they can almost one stop shop. I offer catering, cookie favors, specialty desserts and I also rent stands and make custom toppers.
i don't have an official business but i recently offered to make a pinata for a friend's kid's bday. then her friend ordered one from me too. so i guess now i can say i offer cakes and pinatas? pinatas aren't common in germany
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%