Commercial Cake Shop Increase Sales
Business By mypastrychef Updated 22 Dec 2006 , 5:21am by mypastrychef
1)Are you the most booked(most cakes per weekend) wedding cake vendor in your area?
2)Are your cakes priced higher or lower than your competition?
3)Do you feel that matters at all according to the amount of business you pull in?
4) Do you attend the large bridal show in your territory?
I will answer:
1)I think I am the second busiest independent cake designer in my area
2)I have the second highest priced cakes.
3) I am trying to find out if I really have to worry about that.
4) I occassionally attend smaller bridal shows,
This year will be the first time I attend the biggest show in my area, I have always put it off.
Should I expect my business to increase with this direct exposure?
mpc
. . .
1)Are you the most booked(most cakes per weekend) wedding cake vendor in your area?
Nope. I limit the amount of bookings I take per weekend. I'm a 1-person operation, therefore my capacity to produce cakes is limited.
2)Are your cakes priced higher or lower than your competition?
I'm on the high-end range in my area (with plenty of competitors).
3)Do you feel that matters at all according to the amount of business you pull in?
I think it's a big part but not the biggest or sole reason.
4) Do you attend the large bridal show in your territory?
We have a few large shows in my area during the year. I've attended a couple of times but don't feel the need to any longer. (It was great when I was getting started to get those initial bookings and to network with other vendors. I now find the expense is too costly and I'm doing well without the shows.)
Should I expect my business to increase with this direct exposure?
mpc
I'd say it's pretty likely you'll see an increase in interest and bookings. Brides bring friends and relatives to these events, so even if you're not connecting with today's bride there will be someone at the event who'll remember you if they like you and your product.
Thanks whimsette.
Where are you located?
I am very busy now with weddings, but want to build up and be able to support the wages of bringing in another decorator.
Lora
By looking at your website, I think you are successful already! You shouldn't worry about it and you will be the best in your area in no time.
Good luck 
1)Are you the most booked(most cakes per weekend) wedding cake vendor in your area?
Not at all...
2)Are your cakes priced higher or lower than your competition?
For my type of cake, I'm astronomical, but there are others much higher
3)Do you feel that matters at all according to the amount of business you pull in?
not at all, I pull them in because I do good work...
4) Do you attend the large bridal show in your territory?
no, not at this time, even though bridal shows are one of the best ways to get yourself out there...a good way for a starting wedding cake decorator to showcase his or her work. Eventually, you don't really have to as your reputation will carry you.
Then the only reason to attend the bridal shows would be to check out the new trends in wedding and to see what the other vendors are offering.
I will answer:
1)I think I am the second busiest independent cake designer in my area
2)I have the second highest priced cakes.
3) I am trying to find out if I really have to worry about that.
4) I occassionally attend smaller bridal shows,
This year will be the first time I attend the biggest show in my area, I have always put it off.
Should I expect my business to increase with this direct exposure?
mpc
1)Are you the most booked(most cakes per weekend) wedding cake vendor in your area?
- Not even close
2)Are your cakes priced higher or lower than your competition?
- We are priced in the mid range, lots of companies higher and lots lower
3)Do you feel that matters at all according to the amount of business you pull in?
- Not really. We rarely lose to other companies based on price, but we could probably charge more than we do and still not lose out.
4) Do you attend the large bridal show in your territory?
We have for the last couple of years, but we are passing in 2007. We get enough business right now to be as busy as we want to be every week so paying a few grand a year for the right to turn down more business doesn't make good business sense.
As far as your question about business picking up... obviously the bridal show isn't going to hurt anything and you will likely pick up some new business , how much business depends partly on your market size and competition. If your market has just a handful of cake decorators, you may very well be getting to the bride first by attending the show and may get a huge influx of new wedding business.
If your market is like mine (literally, from downtown Phoenix there are be no less than 50 specialty cake companies...and these are just the ones who advertise... all within a 45 minute drive) then the odds are high that a large percentage of the brides already have an idea about who their cake company may be.
Best of luck at the show!!
You guys are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for nice the responses.
FYI...The booth rental for the show in my area will cost $395 for a 10x10, $700 for a 10x20, $750 for 10x20 corner and $900 for a 10x30.
I booked the 10x10. Hate so spend too much.
mpc
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