Business Question!

Business By steffy8 Updated 5 Feb 2007 , 4:09pm by jmt1714

steffy8 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
steffy8 Posted 4 Feb 2007 , 7:12pm
post #1 of 8

Is this even worth thinking about?????

I want to open a decorating supply store (cakes, cookies). In my area, there is only a Hobby Lobby and 2 Walmarts. Neither of these carry much of anything in the way of cake decorating.

I'm thinking that after the business takes off, I could add bakery and flower decorating (my sis would do that).

How do I even get started???

7 replies
JoAnnB Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
JoAnnB Posted 4 Feb 2007 , 11:09pm
post #2 of 8

You need a good location and a huge inventory to make it worth while. In order to draw customers from Hobby Lobby and W-mart, you have to carry more stuff at equal or better pricing.

My local store has two women as business partners, they have been working together for a number of years. They have some problems with suppliers deliverig on time and keeping up with new items.

You would need a load of cash to invest in a lot of inventory, and enough money to pay the rent for at least a year.

jmt1714 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jmt1714 Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 1:11am
post #3 of 8

first thing you need to do is draw up a business plan. get an idea about rents, inventory costs, suppliers, potential business, etc.

kjt Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kjt Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 1:21am
post #4 of 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoAnnB



You would need a load of cash to invest in a lot of inventory, and enough money to pay the rent for at least a year.




Ditto, this is the first step... icon_surprised.gif
Kathy

alicegop Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
alicegop Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 4:45am
post #5 of 8

The investment in inventory is huge, which is why I have decided to suspend that part of my business and look into it at another time.......

GOOD LUCK! Please post anything you learn, I know many of us are wondering about the same thing.

cupcake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cupcake Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 6:24am
post #6 of 8

Opening any business takes alot of determination, self-motivation, research and money. To open anything that is craft oriented to compete with Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart would require some very strong planning. You really should research this one well. Your marketing stradegy would have to be strong. Your location would be crucial. Just cake and cookie supplies may not be enough to support the business. Since Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart carry items for the average hobbiest, you would need to have a target customer base of the above average hobbiests. The internet has opened many avenues for people to purchase those specialty items for those that want to expand there talents. Just from being on this site should let you know how many order from a variety of sources, that do not have those items available at the HB, and WM. I am not sure that this would prove to be a profitable business for you. This of course is just an opinion, the decision is ultimately yours. You may have to have additional things to offset just decoration items, such as a full line bakery, specialty classes, wedding services etc.....

tracy702 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
tracy702 Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 6:43am
post #7 of 8

What part of Texas are you in, there are several specialy cake suppy store in Texas. Cake Carousel is a huge one in Richardson, TX. There are a few in Houston and scattered around from there, and they all ship anywhere in the US.

jmt1714 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jmt1714 Posted 5 Feb 2007 , 4:09pm
post #8 of 8

Wal-mart isn't competition for someone wanting to sell cake supplies. At least the ones here aren't.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%