Can You Live Off Your Cakes??

Business By Uberhipster Updated 19 Apr 2006 , 8:19pm by MariaLovesCakes

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Uberhipster Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 5:05am
post #1 of 27

Is it even possible to live off of cake decorating??

I'm just beginning and am charging $40 - $60 per cake, and usually do 1 or 2 a week. Which is barely a profit in the first place! I just got my first wedding cake order, and an order for 80 mini cakes - it seems that's where the money really is. So would I have to be doing a wedding cake a week and then maybe suppliment with cookies and celebration cakes in the off season? Do I need to set up a store front and bakery to get some serious business? Is it only the elite designers that can charge the mega bucks and don't need a second job? Obviously there's a certain level of skill that's needed to charge the big bucks in the first place, but then once that's attained, does everything just fall into place after that? I really just want to do this and be able to live off of it one day.

dunce.gif Thanks for any input...

26 replies
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cakesondemand Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 7:31am
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The money is in the wedding cakes and the others are just extra I have added cookies to the mix I'll have to see what happens. Just letting everyone I know and talk to that I do cakes even the cashiers or other workers I come in contact with. Im just starting out and know its going to take time I keep hearing when it starts it can be crazy once the word is out. I do have help if that happens because my daughter can decorate and she bakes the cookies. cat633 your right it will just fall into place just give it time.

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PieceofCakeAZ Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 8:41am
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It is definitely possible to live off of cakes, but living off of $60 party cakes isn't likely, unless you need very little income. Wedding cakes is the way to go.

A year ago I was working in telecom sales and my wife worked for doctor and she decorated cakes part time. We did a few bridal shows and got some business but we had just 26 weddings from January 2005-August 2005, it wasn't a lot of money but we were still making low six figures from our other jobs and anything extra was a bonus.

In July of 05 we were both pretty frustrated with our jobs and decided that we were going to take a leap, quit both of our jobs and see if we could make the cake biz work. icon_surprised.gif We immediately leased space from a bakery (they didn't do cakes) and got legal. It was really rough for the rest of 2005 and we ended with about 80 weddings for the year (plus a bunch of party cakes). It was enough to leave our bank accounts only $10K down and it definitely could have been worse. Fortunately during that time, I focused on sales, working with caterers, reception sites, etc.

The work is starting to pay off. We have completed 62 weddings so far this year and have another 65 already booked, plus 33 new cake tastings already scheduled for the month April. A little over a month ago we signed a lease on a space of our own and hope to have it ready to go in May. By the end of the year we expect to have 220-250 wedding cakes baked, decorated, & delivered (assuming we don't hire someone to help out by then). Unfortunately we have already referred 40+ weddings to other decorators because we couldn't handle the volume. icon_sad.gif We still aren't doing as well as we were previously, but it pays the bills.

On the downside, we work at last 6 days every week and sometimes 14+ hours a day, so I have no time for golf or other relaxing activities.

With any luck that will all change in 2007. icon_biggrin.gif

Best of luck to you!

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loriemoms Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 2:44pm
post #4 of 27

Thanks for that terrific post! It's very encouraging!

But I had to just add that I love your cakes. They are not only beautifully done, but they are unique and interesting. I can see why you are doing so well!

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ncdessertdiva Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 5:34pm
post #5 of 27

Some decorators supplement their income with teaching classes as well as selling cake supplies (dummies, plastic containers, etc.).
Just a thought. . .
Good luck!
Leslie

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ape Posted 31 Mar 2006 , 5:48pm
post #6 of 27

That's it piece of cake.....you should start travelling and doing your own classes! Your cakes are BEAUTIFUL!

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dky Posted 1 Apr 2006 , 9:05am
post #7 of 27

In a word

NO

well not unless you go big time orders and get yourself a shop and maybe teach as well.

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loriemoms Posted 1 Apr 2006 , 12:45pm
post #8 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by dky

In a word

NO

well not unless you go big time orders and get yourself a shop and maybe teach as well.




Face it, I don't think any of us are in this for the money. We love doing it!

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auntiecake Posted 1 Apr 2006 , 1:07pm
post #9 of 27

The biggest problem is no benefits! Insurance, 401K, etc. You have to be willing to work every weekend and pretty much 24/7 if that's what it takes. Whenever they want a cake , youre there. A back up would be very important in case you get sick. It is very demanding and also rewarding. A lot of hard work, but if you love it, maybe worth the time and energy. I love cake decorating, but dont want it to be something I have to do to survive. There is money in it, but they are right you probably would have to sell supplies, teach etc to make a steady income and be profitable. Wedding cakes and large repeat orders are probably essential. If you can do it go for it, but it is a lot of hard work and dedication.

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AllButterlicious Posted 4 Apr 2006 , 12:49am
post #10 of 27

icon_smile.gif

One of the things that really helped me with my business was a course that I purchased from the cake couple (www.sellcakeslikecrazy.com). Originally, I wanted to stay at home with my children, so I did some research on starting a cake business from home. Even though I still work full-time, I bake enough cakes to provide extra income for my family. This course gave me ideas to get more business.

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Uberhipster Posted 5 Apr 2006 , 2:28am
post #11 of 27

Thank you so much for the advice and testimonials. (my computer's been fried and I'm just reading them now!) I have to admit I'm pretty bummed. Here I was, excited that I've found something I'd love to do for the rest of my life job-wise. But when you do the math, it doesn't really add up to be a job that can support a family. Sure I'll continue doing it because I love doing it, but damn I wish the future was brighter! Ah well... thanks again! This web site is such a tremendous resource in so many ways!

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sunlover00 Posted 10 Apr 2006 , 3:39am
post #12 of 27

I just had a killer week (for me). I had a wedding that served over 260, and 5 orders on the side. I made approx what I make at work for the weeek, but I was completely overbooked! Of course, this is on top of my full time job and had I not been working, I would have had double the time, BUT I would not have insurance, paid vacation, etc. And, the income I made this week on cake is not taking into account the cost of ingredients. icon_confused.gif

I agree, we're not in it for the money so much as the fun and enjoyment of seeing others happy with what we've done. I don't get that much at my job! Just a pat on the back and a "good job". icon_lol.gif

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auntiecake Posted 10 Apr 2006 , 4:27am
post #13 of 27

I feel your pain! I go through the same thing many weeks! People say you should do it full time! First of all you would have to do the killer week all the time PLUS to make it work. I enjoy it, but not 24/7 and have to depend on it for a living! That would take the fun out of it! I think you would have to have help and that is another saga! True, money isn't the most important reward. Making people happy is the true reward and worth more than money. You would have to supplement w/classes, retail products, etc. to really make it work full time!

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klg1152 Posted 10 Apr 2006 , 11:14am
post #14 of 27

I get on average 2 orders a week, usually child's birthday and a baby shower which means Thursday and Friday are crazy here at home. It puts a little mad money in my wallet and gives me a creative outlet - not so sure I would enjoy this as much as I do if I had to make a living from it.

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Uberhipster Posted 14 Apr 2006 , 1:36am
post #15 of 27

You know what... I think the situation I'm in already is probably the best one. I do a few cakes in a row, get all caked out and take a break. When the juices are fowing again, I dive in again. Considering how much creativity is involved, it's probably best to not have to do it full time (at least for me!) because I do the best work when I'm not stressed out and if I'm enjoying it I'll stick with it. I'm sure this is true for everyone. I have a part time job in the evenings that I bring my 2 little ones to, and have the days to do whatever. Of course this means I'm usually up to 3am baking and decorating! But it's funny how sometimes while you're striving for bigger and better, you've already got the best. I am definitely keeping decorating as a "hobby"! thumbs_up.gif

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briansbaker Posted 14 Apr 2006 , 1:44am
post #16 of 27

HA!!!! If I tried to live off of my cakes, I would have to Literally!!! the dang crumbs.. I would have to live off of beans, rice and cake crumbs to survive on cake salary.. just a hobby.. No one knows the value of a cake!!!

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Susecita Posted 14 Apr 2006 , 11:46pm
post #17 of 27

I find this post very disheartening. I have asked people in the business who do this for a living who assure you can live off of your cakes. Is there anyone here who actually does this? How do we explain the bigs? Colette Peters, Nick Lodge, THEY certainly live off their cakes.....


-Sus

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Lenette Posted 14 Apr 2006 , 11:58pm
post #18 of 27

This is depressing. It took me a long time to know what I love and feel that this baking/decorating thing is all I want to do. Everyone is making it sound like it can't be done. I think I'll have a chocolate now. icon_sad.gif

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Jenn123 Posted 15 Apr 2006 , 12:08am
post #19 of 27

You can make it work. My family had a very successful bakery. We decided to sell because it was such consuming work. Your busiest times are holidays and weekends. No time or energy for the kid's soccer game or Christmas shopping. There were things that I really loved, but that was often overshadowed by having employees, no holidays, no insurance, paperwork, unreasonable customers, and not seeing the sun in the month of December! I far prefer doing cakes as a supplemental income with NO employees. I'm able to keep it fun even though I make less money.

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KittisKakes Posted 15 Apr 2006 , 12:11am
post #20 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Susecita

I find this post very disheartening. I have asked people in the business who do this for a living who assure you can live off of your cakes. Is there anyone here who actually does this? How do we explain the bigs? Colette Peters, Nick Lodge, THEY certainly live off their cakes.....


-Sus




It took those guys some time to even get established - and then have you seen what they charge for their cakes? We're talking in the thousands for some of them. That's not to say there aren't decorators here on CC that aren't capable of doing that - there are, and many, but I bet it took alot of time and money (and to know the right people), to get where they are today.

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mikaza Posted 15 Apr 2006 , 12:12am
post #21 of 27

I *think* I could do it--but it probably depends alot on the area you live in. I'm in the DC-metro area--and we have a bunch of corporate HQs, and alot of big spenders that do alot of entertaining---I have done cakes that were $1,000+ --I figure if I built my business by catering to those people, and could do 1 or 2 of those cakes most weeks, plus some smaller, less elaborate, less time consuming treats (cookies, birthday cakes, etc) I could pull in enough to make a living.

Its just taking that leap of faith--and my concern is about health and such. Its a draining business--and I expect my body to wear out before my mind--and if I cant keep up physically, I cant run the business!

I think alot of the biggies make it by first making a name for themselves--and then hiring people to do most of the taxing work (the baking, stacking, delivering, etc) and they focus on whatever part it is they like the most. They most certainly dont do their own dishes!

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Susecita Posted 15 Apr 2006 , 12:19am
post #22 of 27

I agree that it can be done. That is my whole point. You can make it work if you want. For some people this works as a hobby. This is wonderful but for others it is a career and I just want to point out the fact that for others it IS a career. I only used the big names as an extreme example of cases that DID make it work. I could have used any other name, the point is, that you do NOT have to be a big name to make it work if you want. Yes, it is hard work and frustrating at times but as I said, I found this post discouraging and was hoping for some success stories. I know people around where I live who make it a living.


-Sus

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DiscoLady Posted 15 Apr 2006 , 12:43am
post #23 of 27

I'm lucky (and thankful to dh) enough to be a stay-at-home and so far my cakes are just "my hobby". Last year I was averaging about 1-3 cakes a month. This year I am averaging 1-2 cakes a week!! Woo hoo.
DH has me on an allowance icon_confused.gif so this extra income is a nice welcome. My party cakes average around $65-90 a pop, and I have been doing some small wedding cakes also which start at $2.00 a slice. My little cake business is treating me quite nicely right now. icon_smile.gif Course every now and then my kids say Mom all you do is cakes, cakes, cakes! icon_rolleyes.gif

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littlebubbieschocolates Posted 17 Apr 2006 , 10:18pm
post #24 of 27

even if i didnt do wedding cakes i could live off of what i make and have before when my hub was sick and i was the only one working.. wedding cakes help out alot tho.. and its much easier when 2 ppl are working and not just one

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msmeg Posted 19 Apr 2006 , 8:10pm
post #25 of 27

being self employed is a hard way to save for retirement.... I do cakes on the side I would love to know I could make it but it wouldmean a big risk

soon I hope maybe with a p/t job

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candyladyhelen Posted 19 Apr 2006 , 8:16pm
post #26 of 27

I guess you could say, that after doing cakes for 34 years, I have finally made it. I was a stay at home mom. Usually worked at part time jobs in between. But I have done cakes & homemade candy always. Well, now that we moved to NC, (been here 3 yrs. this June) I am establishing myself as the cake lady. But I finally got my big break when the huge Golf & Conference center here has chosen me to be their only cake decorator for weddings. It's the first time in my life that the cake money is either to or exceeds what I could make at a job. It's hard work, though. Plus, I was just hired for the new upscale (their word) Piggly Wiggly, as their "Cake Specialist"!!! They want to do upscale weddings now. So I am gonna give it a try to see if I can do both jobs.

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MariaLovesCakes Posted 19 Apr 2006 , 8:19pm
post #27 of 27

Not at the rate I am making them! icon_lol.gif

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