I Need Help Pricing My (Maybe) First Cake Sale!!!
Business By amanda924 Updated 5 Aug 2009 , 2:02pm by FromScratch
[quote="__Jamie
Really?? You really think someone is going to bite your head off for asking a question on how to become legal? For crying out loud...here, knock yourself out. http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-forum-18.html
Oh wait, we're already IN the proper forum.
The shrinking violet and innocent little delicate Bambi acts are really getting old. What is this place? Hold-Your-Hand Central and kiss the puppies and kitties Forum?
Google. Your local health department. This place. All places with great info. And if someone really bites your head off, and isn't really just telling you something you don't want to hear, then tell em' to ki$% your a$&. And if you aren't up for it, better get some cakeba**s fast. This is serious business. And a lot of us in here tend to treat it as such. This isn't the "I just finished Wilton class 3, I'm ready to SELL" forum.[/quote]
Yes, really. You just proved me to be correct.
I am curious about what it would take to become licensed, but have had a hard time finding that information. I am content with my day job and baking cakes for family and friends, so it is just a curiosioty. I wouldn't dare ask on here for fear of having my "head bit off."
I am sorry that someone was rude to you for asking a very innocent question.
If you look on the first topic in the business forum you will see a list of states that license and who to contact for more info. HTH
[quote="__Jamie
Really?? You really think someone is going to bite your head off for asking a question on how to become legal? For crying out loud...here, knock yourself out. http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-forum-18.html
Oh wait, we're already IN the proper forum.
The shrinking violet and innocent little delicate Bambi acts are really getting old. What is this place? Hold-Your-Hand Central and kiss the puppies and kitties Forum?
Google. Your local health department. This place. All places with great info. And if someone really bites your head off, and isn't really just telling you something you don't want to hear, then tell em' to ki$% your a$&. And if you aren't up for it, better get some cakeba**s fast. This is serious business. And a lot of us in here tend to treat it as such. This isn't the "I just finished Wilton class 3, I'm ready to SELL" forum.
Yes, really. You just proved me to be correct.[/quote]
Missing the point entirely Heather. So sad.
And trust me, I'm well aware that a lot of people in here will be absolutely horrified by what I just posted. It was pretty ranty. And a lot more (even if they don't admit out loud) will agree. I can't think of one single person in here who isn't helpful. Not one. Maybe a couple (me included at times) who maybe aren't exactly 100% sensitive, but flat out vicious and rude and other colorful descriptions, no. No one stands for it.
I am curious about what it would take to become licensed, but have had a hard time finding that information. I am content with my day job and baking cakes for family and friends, so it is just a curiosioty. I wouldn't dare ask on here for fear of having my "head bit off."
I am sorry that someone was rude to you for asking a very innocent question.
If you look on the first topic in the business forum you will see a list of states that licence and who to contact for more info. HTH
Yep that is where I figured out that I am screwed unless I can build a seperate kitchen, or find one to rent space in.... (not likely in my small town!)
What state are you looking for info on, I'd be glad to help...
Thanks indydebi, I know in KY you can't bake out ofyour home without a seperate kitchen but the thing is I know of a LOT of people who are doing it without a seperate ktichen...and this whole thing started by me trying to figure out HOW they're doing it...or if they're ALL just illegal...because I dont' WANT to be illegal...
I really don't even think I'll end up doing it but what freaked me out was being shown a cake and not having a clue how to quote it...since I'll never be able to afford to add on a seperate kitchen, I dout I'll ever have to worry about it anyway...
Thanks though.
why are you worried about quoting it?? i would would start out by having the proper "legal" kitchen to do it in. if you can't do that first, then why bother figuring out a price??
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-629239-louisiana.html
It doesn't look good for ya heather. Take a look at that thread.
why are you worried about quoting it?? i would would start out by having the proper "legal" kitchen to do it in. if you can't do that first, then why bother figuring out a price??
It's just a matter of me being the anal type of person who "Needs to know". Any time I am asked a question (about anything, not ust cakes...) if I don't have the answer....I search until I find it! (This results in me answering a lot of questions at work that I should pass off to someone else...but I just can't do it! ) So even though I can't sell her the cake...it just bothered me that I didn't know how to price it. I mean yeah at first I just wanted to be able to sell it to her so bad but after my excitement calmed down I realized I can't...but I still wanted to know how to just spout off a quote from a customer's picture...in case I ever do find a way to finanace it...
Thanks for the link! I haven't been able to find anything about Louisiana!
Oh well...Guess It can't even be a thought unless I build a detached kitchen. (Although, like you, I know of a few bakers who sell from their home kitchens and do very well at it.)
And trust me, I'm well aware that a lot of people in here will be absolutely horrified by what I just posted. It was pretty ranty. And a lot more (even if they don't admit out loud) will agree. I can't think of one single person in here who isn't helpful. Not one. Maybe a couple (me included at times) who maybe aren't exactly 100% sensitive, but flat out vicious and rude and other colorful descriptions, no. No one stands for it.
I'll admit it. I'm getting a little tired of the "baby me with sensitivity" attitude as well. But then I guess I just must be really rude...
And trust me, I'm well aware that a lot of people in here will be absolutely horrified by what I just posted. It was pretty ranty. And a lot more (even if they don't admit out loud) will agree. I can't think of one single person in here who isn't helpful. Not one. Maybe a couple (me included at times) who maybe aren't exactly 100% sensitive, but flat out vicious and rude and other colorful descriptions, no. No one stands for it.
I *heart* you Jamie...
So even though I can't sell her the cake...it just bothered me that I didn't know how to price it....in case I ever do find a way to finanace it...
Better to figure out the pricing issue now instead of waiting until you've signed on the dotted line for a big loan, and THEN sit down and say "Gosh, wonder how I should price this stuff!?"
To the OP, my advise would be to look at the info Deb gave and see WHY pricing that cake so low would be such a tragedy. I found especially when I was first starting that I had no idea about the real cost of quality custom cakes. So I get why you would ask, plus there are always people who'll give you a place to start figuring out how to price cakes for yourself.
Jamie, that has to be the best use of a rant I've ever seen. I always wondered why people were getting scared of posting things because of text on a computer screen. Heck some of my popups scare/disturb me, but it doesn't stop me from opening up my browser to come to CC! It's just pixels!
amanda924
I remember when I first joined CC I wasn't aware of all features, so I can understand how you did't find a forum on your question rigth away. I also know that many on CC get a little upset when you mention baking in your home without approval from your local health department. In my city there are lots of "ilegals" some have been doing it for years. For me I will only do it for friends, family, or friends of friends. When I took a food sanitation prep course that the director of health inspectors in my county was teaching, he mention a unauthorized cake decorator being questioned about food posioning because she prepared a cake for a wedding where several people experinced flu like symptoms. the bride and groom were asked who prepared their food, and of course the cake decorator was mentioned. Even if the decorator wasn't the cause of the posioning, she was trouble. In this case the decorator said she did not do a cake for the couple, not good business.
::slides into thread::
Hi all. We've been flooded here in Louisville, and I just got power restored. No water damage.
It is possible to bake from home in KY, but you really, really have to read the regs very carefully and be prepared to argue your points. It's not a process for the faint of heart. And I say that as someone who is staring at her license as a caterer from the HD. I also speak from experience as a person who got busted in the first two weeks of baking illegally.
And I'd charge about $100 for the 4 baby blocks.
Oh Leahs, I forgot, you are out of Louisville. Here I am wondering where you are like a selfish butt and there you are flooded. I hope everything works out for you soon.
Wow. Some of you woman are really harsh. I've been on mommy message boards before when there were 60 of us pregnant woman with hormones flying and none of them were nearly as harsh as some of you. Go bake a cake, go play with some fondant....cool down....and if you can't say something nice or productive then don't say anything at all.
Wow. Some of you woman are really harsh. I've been on mommy message boards before when there were 60 of us pregnant woman with hormones flying and none of them were nearly as harsh as some of you. Go bake a cake, go play with some fondant....cool down....and if you can't say something nice or productive then don't say anything at all.
Uhhh, and telling us that we're harsh is nice and productive? I think that the OP asked a question and got it answered, and she seems okay with it, as far as I can tell. Sorry if you think that people answering a question with facts rather than hugs and kisses is too harsh.
And I also heart you, Jamie! I'll join the harsh club if that's what telling it like it is is called these days.
Wow. Some of you woman are really harsh. I've been on mommy message boards before when there were 60 of us pregnant woman with hormones flying and none of them were nearly as harsh as some of you. Go bake a cake, go play with some fondant....cool down....and if you can't say something nice or productive then don't say anything at all.
Uhhh, and telling us that we're harsh is nice and productive? I think that the OP asked a question and got it answered, and she seems okay with it, as far as I can tell. Sorry if you think that people answering a question with facts rather than hugs and kisses is too harsh.
And I also heart you, Jamie! I'll join the harsh club if that's what telling it like it is is called these days.
Actually, I just went back and read her post and all she was really asking is how much you would price it for....she got a whole lot more than that. But you know what, I just felt bad that everyone couldn't just be nice and either answer with how much they would price it for or just not post in this topic. It's like you ladies are still in high school. Aren't we all adults here? And you are absolutely correct, this is not productive, I work 60 hours a week as a Project Manager, I'm a single mom to a 5 year old and I have cakes to make. So I'm off to be productive...
Actually, I just went back and read her post and all she was really asking is how much you would price it for....she got a whole lot more than that. But you know what, I just felt bad that everyone couldn't just be nice and either answer with how much they would price it for or just not post in this topic. It's like you ladies are still in high school. Aren't we all adults here? And you are absolutely correct, this is not productive, I work 60 hours a week as a Project Manager, I'm a single mom to a 5 year old and I have cakes to make. So I'm off to be productive...[/quote]
Have fun!
Cake baking/decorating is just a SMALL part of this business.......a very small part.
It's so much more then taking a few Wilton courses and buying supplies......none of us can tell you what to charge for that cake, we can only tell you what we would charge.
Those of us who do actually own a cake business have done all of the research, we've figured out all of our costs. Only you can do that for yourself.
Baking illegally just because 5 or 6 other woman in your area are doing it, is not a good enough reason to do it too. People who do that ruin it for all the legal bakers out there, they're bringing the market down and taking money out of our pockets.....not to mention the potential food safety laws they could be unknowingly breaking.
So, you know by now that yes this is a very heated discussion. The people who are breaking the law think we business owners are "too tough" on those who ask us these questions at least once a week.
My response to those of you who feel that way.........tough! You have no ground to stand on, this is the "cake decorating business forum", there are many business owners here, if you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen. We're not gonna sugar coat it for you, this isn't "playing cake business" this IS cake business.....this is years of hard work, sacrifice, loans, sweat and yes, even tears.
If you want to learn how to become legal and start a business, I'll do anything I can to help you.....to those of you who want me to say it's OK to bake illegally.......that will never happen.
I think you're right to not do this cake.
Dkelley I love you. This IS the "Cake Decorating Business" forum. I don't think anybody has thought about it that way.
I think that everyone finds the How Do I?, Cake Decorating, and other Forums very gentle and supportive. However, the BUSINESS Forum is a puppies-and-rainbow-free-zone. Over here we're about biz-naz. It's how we pay the mortgage and keep the lights on. No joke.
Even if the decorator wasn't the cause of the posioning, she was trouble. Opps I should have said: Even if the decorator wasn't the cause of the poisoning, she was in trouble.
You asked a question I answered. I told you be careful because it could be a set up and I gave you the advice to make sure you are getting paid well to compensate for your time and cost of material. So if you got offended because I was trying to help that is not my problem. If you don't want a truthful answer then don't ask questions. I was trying to be helpful so you don't have to feel like you shouldn't ask questions but just be ready for you answer when you ask.
I'm sorry I have to disagree. Karema was very rude. Everyone I have ever encountered here has been most patient and kind.
I honestly have never seen anyone be as rude and abrupt as I have just read in your reply to this lady.
Again, I don't mean to offend YOU, but she didn't deserve this "snarkiness"
The original poster didnt think I was being rude and that is all that matters. If you read everything that was said I detected a tone in what she had wrote and she understood how it could sound a little off and I admitted that I may have read more into it. Problem was solved so why do you want to rehatch stuff and put me in it? When the op and I have already solved the issue? And by the way I was not rude and you don't know what rude is if you think I was rude by my little comment of trying to help her. I was mad because I thought someone was taking advantage of her and she needed to stand up for herself and look at it for what it was instead of being happy to basically pay to make the cake.
And by the way I was not rude and you don't know what rude is if you think I was rude by my little comment of trying to help her. .
OK, I know that I might totally get blasted for this one, but here it goes:
*puttin on the big girl panties*
I don't think anyone here has been rude, everyone has only had Amanda's best interest at heart, if not no one would of pointed out the potential danger in baking from home. This is the real world, and the HD will not hold your hand and help you through getting licensed. You need to grow some thick skin to be in this buisness, or any buisness for that matter!
The only thing we sugar coat here are our cakes
If you can't handle the heat then get out of the kitchen
At the risk of sounding bambi/shrinking violet-ish I really do regret that this has caused so much heat between everyone. Since I've decided not to do the cake, and since I've gotten a lot of helpful pricing info for the future, I consider the subject closed (in my mind at least). I have learned a lot from this. Thanks to everyone who has replied. I appreciate it!
Peace,
Amanda
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