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New business starter..in a rut!

post #1 of 10
1/2/06 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
I've started really getting into making cakes for money now... I've done the family and friends thing also.. but i have a few questions. Has anyone tried a magnetic sign on thier car? and if so how has the feedback been from it? I think that the hardest part is the time of year when family and freinds don't need cakes. hahaha any ideas to help me self promote would be greatly appreciated. i was also thinking about renting a table at a few church craft and home business shows. has anyone done this ?? Please help! i want this to be a successful and profitable business. thanks for all of your feedback. JennB
Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif .
Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL
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Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL
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post #2 of 10
1/2/06 at 7:40pm
Promoting your business depends on the State Health Department guidelines. Do you have a commercial kitchen and a permit or license?

Where I live, word-of-mouth is the only form of advertising unless you have a commercial kitchen with a license/permit.

I would suggest that you check with your local health department first. That is, if you don't have the license.
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post #3 of 10
1/3/06 at 7:46am
Your cakes look terrific! I think your word of mouth is probably really good!

Just my opinion, but when I'm in traffic behind some truck that isn't driving very well and it has a particular business name on it, I know I might not be thinking the nicest thoughts about that business! That may not be logical to link bad driving to business quality, but just something to consider.

Websites are great advertising, even if you focus locally--I think a lot of people search there. Another thing would be to deliver refrigerator magnets (as well as business cards) with your orders, so people can easily refer to your number for their next occasion. This might seem weird, but as a Mom, I spend a lot of time in kitchens with my friends while the kids are together, so the refrigerator magnet might advertise to friends of current clients, even if the current clients forget to advertise themselves!
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post #4 of 10
1/3/06 at 8:00am
I've even thought about making T-Shirts that simply say, "Ask Me About My Cakes!"

You could make them for your family members, too. "Ask Me About My Mom's Cakes!", Ask Me About My Wife's Cakes! etc.

Walking, talking billboards!!
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post #5 of 10
1/3/06 at 8:01am
I've had a magnetic sign on my van for the last year. I do catering as well as cake decorating. I just mentioned to my husband that I'm taking the signs down. I haven't had one call from these signs. Just an FYI!
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." Isaiah 40:31
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"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." Isaiah 40:31
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post #6 of 10
1/3/06 at 8:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennB

I've started really getting into making cakes for money now... I've done the family and friends thing also.. but i have a few questions. Has anyone tried a magnetic sign on thier car? and if so how has the feedback been from it? I think that the hardest part is the time of year when family and freinds don't need cakes. hahaha any ideas to help me self promote would be greatly appreciated. i was also thinking about renting a table at a few church craft and home business shows. has anyone done this ?? Please help! i want this to be a successful and profitable business. thanks for all of your feedback. JennB
Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif .



You might want to check with your local laws. We are not allowed to have any kinds of signs on our cars or trucks for home bases businesses here..
I think a flyer or maybe put up an ad at the local grocery store or a web site might help..and word of mouth!
Gotta have more cowbell!
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Gotta have more cowbell!
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post #7 of 10
1/3/06 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all your input.. my husband said the same thing about signs on the cars not being a good idea. the magnets are a great one too. thanks. oh and my husband would love to be my walking billboard.. hahaha thanks again and many blessings to you and yours.
Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL
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Cakes by Jenn
Jacksonville, FL
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post #8 of 10
1/6/06 at 8:38am
Here in Dallas car signs are great, especially while sitting in traffic. I think this will depend on if u live in a larger city or not. If you have more than 50,000 people in your local area ...its a good idea. The walking bill board thing is good too. Just some thoughts.
"Live Life and Have Fun"
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"Live Life and Have Fun"
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post #9 of 10
1/6/06 at 9:00am
JennB,
I can tell you the state of FL is super strict! No advertising at all! You can't run a food business from your home unless you have a detached kitchen which has been inspected and has a liscense. To get that it basically has to be built like a commercial kitchen following the state guidelines. It's a real bummer, in some states you can cook right out of your kitchen with nothing special at all. Not really fair!
My drug of choice is FROSTING!
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My drug of choice is FROSTING!
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post #10 of 10
1/11/06 at 5:17pm
JennB be careful. I too live in Florida and have been trying to start a home-based bakery. However, because of our state laws that is impossible! The commercial grade kitchen you must use must not be accessible from your house in any way, not even via a locked door. I have been around and around with the state and there is just no other way to do it. If you are operating out of your home, please know that you are doing so illegally and may want to reconsider.
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