Hi all! I've been working on starting my own cake decorating/home bakery business, and have been attending a cake decor class for almost half a year now (It's a year-long course. This year is level 1, and it goes up to level 3). So it's fair to say I've picked up quite a few tips from my tutor and other bakers in my class. I have had a lot of support from my family and friends, and they've always taken an interest in what cake I'm making at the moment. 

I thought it would be interesting to hear of when you were starting out, what was the best advice anyone gave you? "practice makes perfect", or "don't expect overnight success", or anything really! X

Learn from the mistakes of others, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Don't let your confidence be greater than your skill.

Confidence is great - but be honest with yourself (and others) about your skill level.  I have worked with pastry chefs whom I've had to rescue from near disasters (couldn't make crème brulee for an event for 300, etc.)  If they had been honest (mostly with themselves) about their abilities, it would have saved a lot of frustration, embarrassment and refunds.