I do all of my cakes for donations to a charity or directly for charities. I also donate certificates to several charities for silent auctions throughout the year. I volunteer for Icing Smiles, too. I love doing it.
I tell the client the retail value of the cake, they pick a charity (I verify it), they make an online donation for the retail value, send me a copy of the receipt, and I deliver the cake.
If an online donation isn't an option, I take a money order made out to the charity with me when I deliver the cake and the client gives me CASH in exchange for the money order (which they mail in the addressed & stamped envelope I provide). They keep the receipt from the money order and later get the tax write off.
I have many, many repeat clients. I have never had an argument about pricing and people are so appreciative. I operate under OH CFLs.
This keeps me creative but allows me a lot of freedom. It's my hobby, but also my mission. I don't "indulge" in much of anything else and the real gift I'm giving is my time & talent. I'm really in the driver's seat--and I like that.
I'd guess that my average cake has less than $50-60 in ingredients, etc. in it. The donation amount is usually close to 3X that................and the charities can do so much with that money! Paying it forward can be very rewarding.
It's not for everyone, but it can work.
Rae
I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!
They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!
They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
