I want to take the next month or two to start my business. Start advertising, etc. for the summer months. I need a job for the summer (June-August) and I have decided that part of it will involve heavy cake decorating. Now, here are the problems I have: 1. My kitchen is tiny and I need an extra kitchen anyways. 2. Renting a kitchen might not be worth it until I actually can get business. 3. I cant get bus. until I am licensed. 4. I have a very small portfolio right now so even if I do get licensed I don't have much to show. What are your suggestions for this problem? I am interested in figuring out how to build my photos portfolio as fast and beautifully as possible. I have no worries about my cake tastes as I know they are great but I want to get this off asap. Thanks so much!

-Sus

Start making a lot of dummie cakes and add the photos to your portfolio.

You're right...you do need a larger portfolio. I'd make lots of cakes for a while - not only for the practice of decorating, but to make sure you know exactly which recipe you're going to use to achieve which outcome. I use three or four different frosting recipes, and I've changed my mind about which specific ones several times, based on dificulties I ran into with this or that. When I hand over a cake to someone I want to do so in total confidence. Practice and repetition is the only way to achieve that confidence.

You should make sure that when you take your pictures, they look professional. No laundry or other household clutter in the background. No crumbs around the area. There are lots of folks who do this well. Sugarshack is one. Check out her gallery. You seem to have a pretty good camera. With a little planning and attention to detail, your cakes can make a strong statement about your abilities.

Good luck!

My camera is great. I also have a sister who is an architect and a wiz at photoshop so she offered to clean all my pictures. I am going to have her do this and start the portfolio. How long do you think it might take me? I wanted to try and do 3 dummy cakes a week for the next two months....


-S

That's a good plan. Another two dozen cakes will really expand your portfolio. I am looking forward to watching your progress.

Doing the dummy cakes is a good idea, but you might want to consider doing one "real" cake each week to donate someplace.

I take my "extra" cakes to our elementary school for the teachers and staff, and they really enjoy them.

You could put a little questionaire with the cake telling them that you're just starting a business and would like feedback, on flavors, texture, decorations, anything they'd like to comment on.

This would get your name out there, and when you are licensed, you can send an announcement to all the places you've taken cakes to just to let them know you're open for business.

hth!
Laura.

I LOVE that idea.....and I agree with constructing an actual wedding cake from time to time....you're definitely gonna want experience with stacking the tiers etc. and donating them is also a great idea, not only getting your name out there...but to allow you time and experience to figure out how to transport and set up the cakes...that would be great practice and no isssues if you smudge the side of the cake because I"m sure the people getting it for free will care less..it's FREE!!! As for your portfolio....I would recommend (I"m not in business, but planning on starting one in the next year, once I'm more confident in my skills) anyhow....Wal-Mart has their website online and evidentally you can upload your photos online and go pick them up in an hour...maybe once you have all your photos together you can do that....and make them all 8x10" and put one large photo per page in a photo album...I think that looks really nice to have such large photos in there....I think the easier it is for people to envision the cake the better!!! Even having a couple of each cake at different angles might be nice too. Then once you start selling the cakes...I would even put little thank you notes and so forth from people who ordered that particular cake. Usually with weddings people send a thank you note about how wonderful the cake was, how it was the star attraction, etc. Compliments from happy customers are always a plus for a new potential customer to read.

You can even create a little anticipation with the cakes you're donating. The next time you're at the bank, ask them if it would be OK to bring in a cake the following week. I'm sure they'll say "yes", then they'll be thinking about it for a week, and will be even more excited about it when you bring it in.

Take one to the salon where you have your hair done, your kids' school, etc. I think that places where you know someone might be the best place to start, especially if you're doing the questionaire, because there will be somebody to be "in charge" of getting it back to you.

When I take my cakes in to school, I take them first thing in the morning, so most everybody has a chance to see them before lunchtime when they are cut. The more people who see them, the better!

Laura.

All these ideas are great! Thanks!! Keep em coming!