To answer the question, get an answering machine and use it. Also raise your prices if the business is getting too overwhelming. So I pretty much agree with the other responses
$3 a serving to start is too low for wedding cakes, you can go up to $3.50 at least, probably $4.
I agree with raising the price, we're leaving too much money on the table between us and our biggest competitor, and our quaulity blows theres away. We wanted to get established before we started raising prices, seems as if we're there. Now to get the gumption to raise the prices adn stick to them.
Thanks
Definately raise your prices.
Personally, I'd rather do one cake for $200 than ten cakes for $20 each.
It's okay to say no. I, too, have tons to do. I sometimes say that I'm fully booked even when I'm not, for the simple fact that I'm tired and want to go home, go on a date with DH, have tickets to the opera, whatever.
Yes, I know, it's dishonest, but I think that customers would rather hear that I was fully booked than hear, no, I don't feel like doing any more cakes that day.
Ok, survey:
What would you guys charge for this cake, approx 14 x 10 x 8.
http://Gallery.kristinskonfections.com/images/A_5/2/2/0/70225/f58151abeb7d4225bdb2d47d5ea58a48.jpg
128 servings level 3 fondant cake by my price matrix is $11 serving = $1408
OOPS my eyes skipped to a 6" add 12 more servings ...$1540 yeah not including delivery 
And I don't allow pickups for tiered cakes except on my economy line. ( super small basic cakes, with super small profit margin)
Ok, survey:
What would you guys charge for this cake, approx 14 x 10 x 8.
http://Gallery.kristinskonfections.com/images/A_5/2/2/0/70225/f58151abeb7d4225bdb2d47d5ea58a48.jpg
8/10/14 serves 24/38/78 = 140 servings x $3.50 for BC; x $4.50 for fondant = $490(BC) or $630(Fondant). If I did the flowers in BC, I personally don't charge extra for those. If they are fondant or gumpaste, then I would probably add about $25 to $50 (or more .... depending on my cost to purchase the gumpaste flowers).
How'd I do?
Ok, survey:
What would you guys charge for this cake, approx 14 x 10 x 8.
http://Gallery.kristinskonfections.com/images/A_5/2/2/0/70225/f58151abeb7d4225bdb2d47d5ea58a48.jpg
That would fit into my 6.50 euros ($9.25 approx) per serving category - so 900 euros ($1290 approx). I live in Europe though where EVERYTHING is a gazillion times more expensive than in the US, so use my euro prices as dollar amounts for a rough US price 
128 servings level 3 fondant cake by my price matrix is $11 serving = $1408
You probably have a pretty high income demographic there since you're near Austin, right? I'm in Alexandria, Louisiana...not sure it would support that high of a price...but maybe, I'll have to check into that.
I wish I could charge that much and get it for that cake! In my market I couldn't charge more than about $650 for 128 servings with fondant.
You didn't really use the word "yummy" did you?
Sorry, that word is so "Rachel Ray" to me and that woman makes my a$$ tired.
I'm with Debi...sounds unprofessional, and my a$$ is always tired, so Rachel just irritates me.
Yeah I totally goofed on the serving...it is like debi said 140 not 128 so the actual price would be $1540.
I live in a tourist area and most of the brides come from Houston, and if they are doing a destination wedding they can afford me. I do grapple with the area non-licensed/illegal cake ladies who give away their product, but since most don't advertise those destination brides never hear about them. There are a few venues here that use me exclusively. I do limit myself to one event per weekend day, so most a weekend is 2 cakes. I do offer dessert cakes and other goodies but those orders are few and far between because the locals do know of the cheap decorators in the area. But, the locals who have had my cakes never order from anyone else after that.
Ok, my wife has gone through a hell of a time with horrible health issues beyond her control after we started the business. She's only trying to cope AND keep the business alive until things improve. Forgive me for being fiercely protective, or not, but she is my wife afterall. So you guys have to cut some slack.
I'm sorry about that. Is it possible to hire some part-time minimum wage or intern help? Someone who could help with clean-up, sales, answering the phone?
I really have to commend all of you parents that jump into this business with small children. You guys deserve a lot of credit for juggling kids and a full-time business.
I was WAY too disorganized to do that while my kiddos were small.
I hope your wife feels better and that the new year will bring you some resolutions to your problem.
Too much business IS a good thing though!
Thanks, dkelly! The most ironic part is that the only advertising we've done is website, the rest is word-of-mouth....because we didn't want to get too much business too soon LMAO! We have a major bridal fair next month and I suspect we'll get overrun after that. I guess now would be a VERY GOOD time to up our pricing matrix and funnel the phone calls to the answering machine.
Ok, survey:
What would you guys charge for this cake, approx 14 x 10 x 8.
http://Gallery.kristinskonfections.com/images/A_5/2/2/0/70225/f58151abeb7d4225bdb2d47d5ea58a48.jpg
8/10/14 serves 24/38/78 = 140 servings x $3.50 for BC; x $4.50 for fondant = $490(BC) or $630(Fondant). If I did the flowers in BC, I personally don't charge extra for those. If they are fondant or gumpaste, then I would probably add about $25 to $50 (or more .... depending on my cost to purchase the gumpaste flowers).
How'd I do?
Indydebi, we hand made all of the gumpaste flowers. How would that figure into your calculations?
Arg..... we need to reclaim that word.
RR has in no way a patent on the word yummy. The word yummy was recorded as used in print for the first time in 1899. If she's that old she sure looks good.
That's the thing she doesn't say Yummy, she says Yummo, and if Julia Child cornered that phrase then RR must have heard it from her, but I certainly don't remember hearing JC use that expression, but if she did that makes JC even more cool in my book!
Edited to add that this next statement in no way is aimed at Mensch...the guilty parties will know who they are...LOL!
Sorry, I love RR! And when you make what she makes then you can justify that judgement call, if not, then to me, all it sounds like is sour grapes.
I'm not saying everyone has to like her, but to belittle me or to say it is unprofessional (which it isn't) because I used a commonly used word that sounds similar to a word she uses, on an answering machine to a potental client aka "cake muggle" makes you seem jealous and/or resentful of her success...just sayin'.
"Well dang. Dude, unclench. "
LOL!!! Thanks for the giggle! For some reason, that just really hit my funny bone today.
Indydebi, we hand made all of the gumpaste flowers. How would that figure into your calculations?
I've not made gumpaste (which is why I would buy them), but having watched a number of videos showing how to make them, I'm enthralled and amazed at how much time it takes to sometimes make just ONE gumpaste flower.
It appears the labor cost would be the biggest factor in the cost of those. I only know that if *I* made them, it would cost a fortunate .... especially if I added a charge for everytime I said, "Oh crap!" and had to start over!
Ok, survey:
What would you guys charge for this cake, approx 14 x 10 x 8.
http://Gallery.kristinskonfections.com/images/A_5/2/2/0/70225/f58151abeb7d4225bdb2d47d5ea58a48.jpg
8/10/14 serves 24/38/78 = 140 servings x $3.50 for BC; x $4.50 for fondant = $490(BC) or $630(Fondant). If I did the flowers in BC, I personally don't charge extra for those. If they are fondant or gumpaste, then I would probably add about $25 to $50 (or more .... depending on my cost to purchase the gumpaste flowers).
How'd I do?
Indydebi, we hand made all of the gumpaste flowers. How would that figure into your calculations?
That's just it KK...she buys her flowers already done. Which is perfectly cool, I have had to do the same in a time crunch every now and again, but it does change the cost factor considerably. edited to add, dang it you beat me to the punch debi...LOL!
"Well dang. Dude, unclench. "
LOL!!! Thanks for the giggle! For some reason, that just really hit my funny bone today.
Speaking of unclenching...I never properly addressed that remark. Sphincters have a way of doing that after working on cakes until 3am for almost an entire week...the week of Christmas no less, and then having to get up at 6:30am to go spend 9 hours at the day job. Cheers Mensh!
Yeah I totally goofed on the serving...it is like debi said 140 not 128 so the actual price would be $1540.
I live in a tourist area and most of the brides come from Houston, and if they are doing a destination wedding they can afford me. I do grapple with the area non-licensed/illegal cake ladies who give away their product, but since most don't advertise those destination brides never hear about them. There are a few venues here that use me exclusively. I do limit myself to one event per weekend day, so most a weekend is 2 cakes. I do offer dessert cakes and other goodies but those orders are few and far between because the locals do know of the cheap decorators in the area. But, the locals who have had my cakes never order from anyone else after that.
Good for you!
Indydebi, we hand made all of the gumpaste flowers. How would that figure into your calculations?
I've not made gumpaste (which is why I would buy them), but having watched a number of videos showing how to make them, I'm enthralled and amazed at how much time it takes to sometimes make just ONE gumpaste flower.
It appears the labor cost would be the biggest factor in the cost of those. I only know that if *I* made them, it would cost a fortunate .... especially if I added a charge for everytime I said, "Oh crap!" and had to start over!
I can bang out gumpaste flowers pretty fast, so unless it's something really exotic and/or a ton of them, I don't bother charging much more over my base price.
I guess the tipping point is if I have to get wires involved and do individual petals, that's going to cost a lot more!
you know, if you were that busy before Christmas, you must do a lot of smaller cakes? Not just weddings?
If that's the case, another option to keep your sanity is to do a minimum- say you don't take orders less than $XYZ, so you're not putzing with all the minutia that people at the big box stores do. As you said, as soon as you do a bridal show, it sounds as if you're going to be overrun with wedding business. Don't let the little orders grind you down so you don't want to take the big orders. I'm heading in that direction myself, and look forward to less work for more money!
Don't let the little orders grind you down so you don't want to take the big orders. I'm heading in that direction myself, and look forward to less work for more money!
Let me share a story about how I made that very same decision.
I had a standing order for 300 cookies every single day from a car dealership. I was still working a full time job at the time, in addition to doing wedding cakes, these cookies AND full catering.
One day, I came back from meeting a bride and booked a $2000 catering. I spent 90 minutes with this bride. On the way home, I realized that I had spent 90 minutes and booked more money than the cookie order got me for the entire month. Doing the math, it was a no brainer. The car dealership was where my husband worked, so I walked in the house and told him, "Tell them this is the last week for cookies. They need to find another supplier. I'm done."
Once I got my own comm'l kitchen, I was able to do the cookie order again and they welcomed me back! (yay!)
When I cut off the order, I was waiving bye-bye to an order worth over $15,000 a year. But the time I spent to make that $15K wasn't worth the investment compared to the time I spent to make the same or more money on a catering job.
I share the story so you can see that sometimes saying bye-bye to small orders might be scary .... but with good analysis, you can make the right decision for what works for you.
I like Rachel Ray and I'm not ashamed to say so!!!! Just please don't beat me with a spoonula!! Please be gentle!!! My children also like to watch her 30 min meals show and it's actually convinced them to try a few new foods!(very picky eaters) So she can say EVOO or yummo as much as her little heart desires!
Sorry about the completely unrelated to thread comment! I just had to get that off my chest!
I'm also glad to hear how many of y'all are doing well in your businesses!
I have a similar situation, I rent a kitchen and bake at night which puts me at home during the day with 4 kids, 4 noisy, hyper, destructive and wonderful (most of the time) kids.
I do not answer my phone period, unless it is a customer who has already booked and I have their name and number programmed into my phone so I know it's them.
All other calls go to voicemail and I return them between 12:00noon and 3pm (aka nap time).
So far it works for me. As soon as I get my shop open I will have normal phone hours and no kids to scream in my ear everytime I answer, but until then it's voicemail.
Now excuse me while I go make a Sammie
Yup, minimums are a good thing. I will not make a cake for less than 75 euros ($110 approx), and I don't care whether it's for 6 people or a really basic design. Not worth turning on the oven for any less IMO!
Ok, my wife has gone through a hell of a time with horrible health issues beyond her control after we started the business. She's only trying to cope AND keep the business alive until things improve. Forgive me for being fiercely protective, or not, but she is my wife afterall. So you guys have to cut some slack.
There's nothing wrong with being protective, just gotta make sure you don't lop someone else's head off in the process. Just gotta remember when you post something on these public forums you open yourself up to the good, bad and sometimes the ugly. And hopefully the ugly will be the rare occasion.
KK's Hubby... I think you will fit in just fine here. It's not a bad thing that you are protective of your wife.
I must ask... why is day care not an option? Is it financial or personal? Either is valid, just a curiosity. My suggestion is to hire someone to help and take the strain off of your wife until she feels more up to the task. I know how stressful it is, and health issues would make that compounded so much. Is not taking every order that comes in an option? Do you have a store front? I was thinking yes by some of what was said. I know the overhead is hard to handle. I really think that it takes money to make money, so if you could hire some help and take your volume up then you could make a lot more. What are your prices like right now? What are the prices of your competition like? If you provide a superior product... people will pay for it.
I live in a little town in southern NH... my wedding cakes start at $5/serving. If your prices are low... you will work yourselves to the bone for little profit. Raise them prices and work smarter instead of harder...
I hope that your wife's health issues clear up soon and that she will be able to join you in the shop soon.
KK's Hubby... I think you will fit in just fine here. It's not a bad thing that you are protective of your wife.
I must ask... why is day care not an option? Is it financial or personal? Either is valid, just a curiosity. My suggestion is to hire someone to help and take the strain off of your wife until she feels more up to the task. I know how stressful it is, and health issues would make that compounded so much. Is not taking every order that comes in an option? Do you have a store front? I was thinking yes by some of what was said. I know the overhead is hard to handle. I really think that it takes money to make money, so if you could hire some help and take your volume up then you could make a lot more. What are your prices like right now? What are the prices of your competition like? If you provide a superior product... people will pay for it.
I live in a little town in southern NH... my wedding cakes start at $5/serving. If your prices are low... you will work yourselves to the bone for little profit. Raise them prices and work smarter instead of harder...
I hope that your wife's health issues clear up soon and that she will be able to join you in the shop soon.
Hi Jeanne. The daycare thing is a personal choice we've made for our son. So far we've only operated as a "job shop" with our store, it's not open for retail. We're working toward booking all weddings and trailing off on the small orders. Between the she and I, it's the only way we can make this work without killing ourselves. I have a day job that pays the bills and I'm not in a position to quit to make the bakery a full-time venture. My wife will have more time to devote once our son is in school. In the meantime, we're just trying to optimize our time and profit. Our prices are admittedly too low, usually less than $3.50 per serving for fondant cakes. I think we've established ourselves just enough to be able to raise them without fear of scaring customers away. The competition is an old established (and not very creative) bakery with extremely high prices. They normally quote anywhere from 50 to 100% higher than us...so obviously we'd be stupid not to close the gap somewhat. I've only been playing around with cakes for about a year and my wife for several years, but I feel like we've make some pretty decent cakes for never having made a wedding cake until 6 months ago. Thanks for you time and suggestions.
Happy New Year!
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