I just delivered my first ever non-friend, non-family cake. I did it for the cost of supplies and gas, since they live over an hour away. The cake was for the bridal shower for the sister of a friend of my cousin. Need a flow chart for that? 
Anyhow... the learning curve... Always get a paint chip, napkin, or SOMETHING with the right color in it, if they want a very specific color. I discovered that 'hydrangea blue' can actually be a number of shades of blue, but not teal, which is what she originally likened the blue to.
I ended up needing to decorate the cake on site, to get the right blue. I'm glad I did that, as the color I had was all wrong, but it was very non-professional, I think. I don't think they minded... I was in another room, and they were busy. I wasn't in the way or anything, and they ended up with a cake that surpassed what they were expecting. Still... I felt very unprofessional. So get paint chips or something! LOL
I also quoted a 'supplies' cost that didn't cover my supplies. Sigh. That was my own fault... just the gas was $15. I asked for $35, and they gave me $40. It was a 2-tier cake, 12" and 8", covered in MMF, with MMF and buttercream accents. I WAY undercharged, I think!
Anyhow... does this look okay, for a first 'not friends or family' cake??? Did I completely embarrass myself, or am I on the right track?? This was so far out of my comfort zone, since I tend to do very 'girly' cakes. I've never done dots, or the beaded border at the bottom, though I think it ties it together very nicely.
I'll shut up now! LOL Here's the cake, for those interested in seeing it.
For future reference, how do you politely up the supplies cost, when you find out AFTER you've quoted the cake, that they want fondant???
Doni
PS one amusing thing about the whole cake... the bride HATES chocolate, and this is her favorite... a red velvet cake. -grin- No one has the heart to tell her that her favorite cake is, indeed, chocolate! LOL
Well for starters... great cake!
"how do you politely up the supplies cost, when you find out AFTER you've quoted the cake, that they want fondant??? "
Been there done that!
If it's my error I eat the cost and learn from it.
I just ask for them to look through books and point out what they like from a few different cakes.
I explain frosting with buttercream vs. covering with fondant. I offer them a sample of fondant to taste.
For future reference, how do you politely up the supplies cost, when you find out AFTER you've quoted the cake, that they want fondant???
You tell them that since they've changed the order, you will need to change the price. Pure and simple. YOu can't order a Happy Meal, then change it to a Big Mac and expect to get it for the same price.
Simple phrasing such as "Oh you want fondant? Well, that material cost more so to change it to fondant will add $xx.xx to the price. "
Absolutely beautiful cake=) I love blue and brown together. Now to the price issue, I agree with Indy on this one. You can't change your order halfway in and actually think that the cost won't change. Fondant is a lot harder to work with and it costs more too. You have to look out for you. I know what you mean though. It is hard sometimes to tell people but it was your first non-family cake, so at least you learned the first time around rather that having it happen over and over, hehe. I hope my cakes turn out as well as yours=)
I just did a baby shower cake. Charged 100.00 but got 120.00. Mine was a 12 inch and 8 inch but a lot more layers almost the same colors as yours as well. Only difference is I needed to make fondant/gumpaste baby shoes....So maybe...you could have gotten a little bit more! 
Hey Doni!
For starters, your cake is superb!!! LOVE it!!!
For your prices, definitely set your prices ahead of time, and make them known. NO leniency. I have all of my prices posted on my website, and again in my brochures. It's easy to say that you can do it for this or that, but when you figure in your expenses, boy, you'll undercut yourself in a hurry!
Fantastic cake, Doni!!! 
Amy
Doni-
Great cake! I would be very proud - you set up a gread advertisement for future business!
Thanks all, for your encouragement. The sad part is, the napkins and plates they had for the party were simply gorgeous, and had they shared those pics with me, I could have knocked their socks off with this cake. But oh well... they liked it anyhow.
And this time, I DID remember to take business cards.... not advertising cakes, since I'm not legal, but just my general crafting business, so they can get in touch if they want to help me 'expand my portfolio'. 
SUCH a pretty cake!!!
Debi has it right (AGAIN! 
) about increasing your price if they change what they want. You definitly need to charge more, but this is a great start to your porfolio, I'd send them a bill with a picture and nice thank you note for the "real" price and then discount it just so they know in the future what it will REALLY cost 
I did this cake today that was 10" and 6" and got $120 for it (BIG thank you to Louise - I used your cake as inspiration - OK I pretty much copied it 
hope you don't mind!)
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