Hi everyone -
I'm a newbie at cake decorating so I don't know much. I'm hoping to start making cakes for profit but I don't know where to start as far as the business end goes. What is the first step? How do you get your name out there? What is the initial investment? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Well first let me say Welcome!!! and prepare to become extremely addicted to CC 
My first suggestion would be to invest in all the supplies you're going to need. Currently my investment is over $3,000.~ but some cake decorators have invested WAY more!!! Also, find out if it's possible to be legal in your area, call your health department or dept of agriculture depending on where you are located you may even be able to find info at the court house.
To get your name out there there are a few things you can do. If you are allowed to do so, advertise at grocery stores, laundry mats, hair salons, anywhere you can think of. Or in my case you can't advertise but are authorized to do home baking for sale, but can only do word of mouth. Start baking for friends and family and neighbors just because and ask them if they are happy with the result, taste, presentation etc. to please pass your name around if someone is interested.
Finally I offer one last piece of advice and it's key and crusial!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!
http://www.cakecentral.com/article57-US-Wanting-to-start-a-Cake-Decorating-Business-but-where-do-I-begin.html
This is a good place to start by reading information for your state... Let me welcome you to CakeCentral!!! We're glad to have your with us!!
Hi everyone -
I'm a newbie at cake decorating so I don't know much. I'm hoping to start making cakes for profit but I don't know where to start as far as the business end goes. What is the first step? How do you get your name out there? What is the initial investment? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Word of Mouth is your best advertisement and your portfolio is your best ad campaign...start out doing cakes for family and friends to build your portfolio and to get the word out as well....what I did for family is had them to buy all the supplies I needed to make their cakes, including the pans and such as to help build my stock. I didn't charge them for the labor at all. I did the same for friends at first and once I got my supplies and reputation built up I started charging everyone unless the cake is a gift from me.
Use sales and coupons to build your supplies up, starting with the most needed supplies first and then to the more extravagate ones later...Michael's is a great place to start via using their 40% and 50% coupons in their circulars..if you have a Hobby Lobby near by (wish I did) you can use their coupons as well...and watch for the 50% off sales on Wilton products at both stores and that's the best time to stock up on supplies.
Other than that the main thing is to build your reputation up via word of mouth and your portfolio
Welcome to the world of Cake Decorating, Wishing you all the best this business has to offer and Happy Baking, Mary 
hi there and welcome to CC!
there are alot of shortcuts and inexpensive items that can be purchased if you are unable to afford the more expensive items....make sure you check out the forums and the articles on this site because there are alot of hidden gems here....ask any question and someone will be able to answer it for you..
welcome and happy baking 
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