I'm having a hard time getting the nerv up to start a cake business......how do I officially START? I've done a few cakes for people other than family, but only one that I charged for. How do I get my name out there?....I can't just start handing out business cards in the grocery store line-up! I'm not the most out-going person, so how do I get this going?

Actually my very first wedding cake order I got from a couple I met in line at the grocery store! Just talk to people, let them know you decorate cakes. Everyone needs a cake at some point and most of the folks I've ended up taking on as clients were seriously sick of eating store bought cakes. They were thrilled to have found me lol.

Donate cakes if you have to. I gave a family member a cake for her son's b-day that landed me 2 orders from friends of her's that came. And I donated a cake to some teacher's night function that resulted in an order.

I also take the cakes I'm playing around with to work with me or have my dh take them with him to his work. That's gotten me several orders.

Just about anytime I have a coversation with someone that doesn't know it already I'll drop it in there that I do cakes.

How about trying:

Make small cakes for friends, etc. to serve to their friends at a gathering

Post really nice, professional looking fliers (flyers?) around town

Leave a portfolio at wedding shops/ kid's stores etc. Ask if it can be by the cash register. Give the shop owner a perk (cupcakes, perhaps)

Recruit significant other, etc to praise your cakes - send small cakes to their work to share with staff

At every opportunity, send out cakes eg. need valentine day treats for school event? Send something inexpensive but pretty (cupcakes, cookies) in a cake box with your label on it (lots of mothers attend these events to help out) You'd spend the time/money to send something anyway, right? Make it business related. Could you claim this as a business expense? Marketing/advertising expense?

I have been sending cookie gifts to my kids' teachers for the past year(Christmas, Valentine's, Summer goodbye, etc - 2 or 3 cookies in a pretty dollar container - I've had them phone me at home to thank me and ask where I bought them! When I start my official business,soon (finger's crossed) I think I've established a bit of a client base, already.

I sent cookies to my husband's work, and two ladies want to discuss buying cookies for wedding showers they're hosting.

So, you do have to find a way to get out there a little bit, and try to overcome shyness, but I think there are ways for friends, family do some of the legwork for you (they don't have to know you've "recruited" them - then you might have to pay them!!)

Best of luck! Remember, you have nothing to lose by being proud of your products. What's the worst that could happen if someone isn't interested? Imagine the worst-case scenario - not so bad, really. The worst they'll say is no, thankyou, right? It's not like you'll get beaten up