I am just frustrated right now, so forgive me because I am venting.

I just finished wilton class 3 and am currently taking the gumpaste classes. So, after decorating for just 3 1/2 months, I've only had 1 family member who had me make a cake for her. One family member asked me to do a b-day cake for his daughter, then his wife called the next day and cancelled because she decided to use a local bakery in town. Then, another family member called me several times to talk to me about doing a cake for her granddaughter's b-day. But then her daughter called me and said she would be taking the wilton classes too, and she would be starting her own business, so she would not be needing my services. (That's a whole other story there on that one! )

So, I know that I'm not Colette Peters, and I know that I am just starting out, but what does it take to get some orders from friends, co-workers, and family? How about strangers?

I've had a couple of orders from co-workers and friends, but I guess I just feel like I've done a lot of 'free' cakes and not getting the orders.

How do you start out when you are not a legal business? I know you can't hand out business cards, and you should do free cakes, but what else can you do?

I've seen on some posts about people creating websites, but since I'm not legal, I don't really know about that.

Any ideas?

BE PATIENT! your orders will come trust me ... at first my whole family thought this was another passing hobby of mine since I have had many it was understandable .. but I was patient and determined and before I knew it I had quite a bit of clientle built up .. most of it was word of mouth but sometimes thats the best way .. just dont give up .. make cakes and give them away to school functions, chairities, church activities, etc., and before you know it you'll have some paid orders on the way!

Hang in there first of all. Family sometimes is the hardest to work with. I started by making a ton of free cakes and donating cakes to works. Its slow at first. A lot of people won't trust that you will be able to do a good job. Just hang in there and you will make it.

Just keep at it. I took 2 cakes for Church Homecoming today and got 3 orders. I take a cake almost every where I go. I am doing a big baby shower cake for 100 on Wednesday and hopefully that will even get me more orders. It does not happen overnight. It has taken me years to get the orders I get and some months I may not have any. Just keep practicing and give away those cakes!!!

You are quite good...I say forget family and on concentrate on co-workers and strangers. You can get a free website like webshots or mine is with zoomshare. As long as you don't put prices on your website, you are OK. www.zoomshare.com
I would listen around the office and when someone mentions "cake" remind them that you do cakes, they are homemade and specially designed with the customer in mind...not your grocery- store-frozen-God-knows-how-long kind of cake. Don't sell yourself short and when they ask a price, already have it in mind.

Sculpted cakes here start at $50.00 for BC but usually end up around $75-$80.00. No bakery does this here. Promote what you do best. It will come. Family always wants the "free" cakes and expects free cakes. So stand your ground. BTW--I do have business cards and give them to current customers, they pass my name and number to others, then give them a card-so on and so on. Hope that helps--Pam

I understand your frustration! I've made a few freebie cakes in the last few weeks trying to get the word out. Been telling friends and family for months....and nothing, so I'm now doing the freebie way. So far people have said they like my cakes and they're tastey, but no orders yet. I hope I can get some business after the HOA meeting today. We'll see.

Keep a photo album of your work to show prospective customers. I also carry a smaller one in my purse for those moments when I can't carry my big one.

Your cakes are really good, so keep it up! (My favorite is your red roses on the white cake....I'm partial to roses!). It's usually slow to start but once the ball starts rolling........!

Hey, keep this in mind...The guy from "ACE OF CAKES" started out just like you! He made cakes for family, friends, and co-workers...and before he know it, it kept on growing and he dicided to open a business in Baltimore ( my home town)
Go to his website, ( charmcitycakes.com) and read how he started...it will give you inspiration!!!
You hang in there. I am in the sam position as you...I have made SOOOO many free cakes, and cakes for family & friends, and now, the orders are starting to pour in! It took a good year though!

HI! I am so glad you posted this, I am in the same postion. My story...long one short, I was unahppy at my job and loved cake decorating...I quit my job...yes quit and started selling this on ebay for income. I am taking cake class....some on cookies...in april I will take a class on doing whimsical cakes....

From one person to another who is not legal.....it takes alot of time....just have patience....I believe orders (more orders will come) I have had a few. I made a flyer (I knew your not really supposed to) but when close friends and family have parties I always have one to pull out to show alot of my work. Im still doing free cakes and cookies...my parents take the to their offices. Everyone is impressed with them...but again the orders arent coming just yet....but if nothing else I a planting the seed.

Keep working at it, others on this site have mentioned doing free...yes free cake for churches, doctors offices, the vet.....go to the post office and drop something off for the mailman, I have and they love it! I am going to make some dice cakes for a church who has bunco night.

I know for me I just want it all to happen right now, but I think there is something to be said about paying your dues first.....

It just takes time. Another thing I have started doing ( I dont know if you do cookies, I love doing them) so when I go to a party I make cookies that go along with the theme of the party and wrap them indiviually with a sticker that has my name on it. Bring it like its a host gift...but really you just want to get your work out there!

Thanks for the inspiration from some of you who have been doing this for awhile! I am just starting out, too, and it's nice to hear that hard work pays off!

I've been "doing cakes" for about three months and have taken a few cakes to work. I work a full-time job and a part-time job and have gotten one paid order from each place so far. I want it to start out slow so I don't get overwhelmed - - too much too soon would not be good for me. I want to formulate a plan, learn, and practice alot, then have people start asking me for lots of good cakes! And I hope my family DOESN'T ask for them because I'm hearing alot of people say that family and "friends" can be the worst customers of all

I dont do cakes or cookies for money cause I'm afraid to get caught lol but my mother lives in an apartment block for seniors and last week was their first bingo so I made a lovely cookies bouquet (round cookies with bingo number on it) and put it in a nice black glass flower pot wrapped in clear paper and gave it to them as a door prize lol you wouldnt believe how many of them wanted to win it. If I can get any of them to order one that would be great if not well at least I made a lot of elderly ladies happy.

it takes time ,your cakes are great and you should do whatever you can to get orders,free cake give a ways,volunteer etc...it took me a few years to get orders outside family and friends but I did by word of mouth and piping up and volunteering a cake if I overhear a conversation!!!!!!!! orders come and go......this summer I had at least 15 orders and was sooooooooo busy but now I don;t have any and have been bummed don't give up you CAN do the work,I saw your cakes.

It might be a blessing that your family doesn't want to order from you. After reading around the boards a while, you'll see that sometimes business and family just don't mix.

I also don't really think that family members feel they should have to pay you for cakes. They may be wanting you to offer to do them for free.

I also want to say from personal experience: DON'T WORRY. There is MORE than enough business to go around. Produce some really outstanding cakes, take pics, etc. and you will have to turn business away. I live in the Dallas area and I have had people drive for nearly 2 hours to come get a cake from me. They simply cannot find anyone else to do what they want for them....and that's in a metro area that's more than 50 miles in diameter! Prducing unique, quality cakes is a big attraction.

I know what u're going through. I took the classes a few years ago and jsut got back into it so im not very good yet. But for EVERY family function I take a cake... Well, my sister's babyshower.. she bought a cake from someone else.. hell even my MOM who buys me cake books, and calls everytime something cake related is on TV calls to tell me bout it bought one (again NOT from me like i'd charge her anyways) for my dad's birthday. BLAH Oh well... I'll just keep practicing and getting better and not depend on them. Good luck!!!

I too am new to cake decorating and have not had support from my family. It is really fustrating, but I have found a way to get orders without their help.

I live in a rural area and I went to the mom 'n' pop stores around my home and asked about bringing in cakes to share with their customers. Free cake just for coming in! I just did 2 layer 8" cakes decorated and brought them in glass covered cake plates and provided paper dessert plates and plastic forks. I also left a small photo album with pictures of cakes I've made for people to look at. I explained to the owners that I couldn't advertise and they were glad to give anyone who asked my name and number. This has worked well for me.

I also take my practice cakes to work and share with co-workers. This has gotten me several orders and referrals. I am also doing 2 cakes for a charity auction next month. The auction is in the evening and people will have all day to go in and look at the donated items. The donor's name and any information pertaining to the item is written on an index card attached to the item for all to see. Hopefully this will generate some orders.

Hope these ideas might help someone else. And as a side note I am new to the site and absolutely love it here!!

Melissa