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How many of you are making enough cash flow for this to be your MAIN source of income?  

post #1 of 95
3/17/13 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 

I know a lot of us have full time or part time jobs on the side.. Is cake decorating anyone's full time job?

post #2 of 95
3/18/13 at 7:18am

NO, i wish... I hope there are some good stories out there from people to give me hope.. i dont see how anyone can make 50k or more alone doing cakes... I am super busy as my side job and cant even make half of that... even if I was booked every day, i dont see how I could make enough/...

Yes I am legal. Now move on and bake..
Yes I am legal. Now move on and bake..
post #3 of 95
3/18/13 at 7:22am

I've noticed that a lot of cake decorators give classes (usually expensive classes) and some even tour almost full time- around the world- giving classes and I have a feeling this is more lucrative to them than doing cakes alone. 

post #4 of 95
3/18/13 at 9:23am

I still consider this a paid hobby.  It's just me working part-time at caking, mom of four full-time.  I only take what I can comfortably handle so that this "hobby" doesn't take over our lives.  I will decide in a few years when my two-year old is in school if I want to marry cake and make it a more than part time thing.

 

And yes I have heard from an ICES teacher that you can make as much, or more, teaching at a show type weekend than you can in a month of creating cakes.

 

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...things may have changed.

Aah, cake. . .the 5th food group!!
Aah, cake. . .the 5th food group!!
post #5 of 95
3/18/13 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 

Aww bummer i was really hoping someone could give us a great success story.. I don't want to waist time as a business... Paying all these fee's for nothing.. I would love this to be my main source of income.. I'm only 22 so i would be able to pay rent and live off of 2,000 a month in actual profit but if that's not possible then i will remain setting my mind into expensive hobby land :)

post #6 of 95
3/18/13 at 9:39am
It's a really nice side business for me. I left a bakery mostly to have a baby. Last year was my first real year in business for myself (under cottage food law). I did 9 wedding cakes & a few small things. I grossed $3000. That doesn't seem like much, but it was all word of mouth. More importantly I showed a profit despite sinking lots into a fridge, agbay, & other tools.

I like that I have the flexibility to spend lots of one with my now 2 year old. It wouldn't have been enough to survive, but it's a nice start.

www.VeryDeliciousDesserts.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Desserts/207874222593145

 

It's never "just cake!"

 

You may get a cake for $way to little but you won't get this cake!

Groom's Cakes
(1 photos)
Other / Mixed Shaped Wedding Cakes
(3 photos)
Retirement
(1 photos)

www.VeryDeliciousDesserts.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Desserts/207874222593145

 

It's never "just cake!"

 

You may get a cake for $way to little but you won't get this cake!

Groom's Cakes
(1 photos)
Other / Mixed Shaped Wedding Cakes
(3 photos)
Retirement
(1 photos)
post #7 of 95
3/18/13 at 9:44am

It's definitely a hobby for me.  I call it my hob-business.  If you wanted to make it your main source of income, you would be exhausted doing it alone, when you consider how long each cake takes from start to finish.  Seems like those who make a true living off of cakes have actual storefronts, employees and bakeries.  It can be a very good side income, though.  

post #8 of 95
3/18/13 at 9:46am

My plan is to be solvent by the end of the summer. You should write a business plan and go for it. Just like any business, you need a plan and strategies for achieving your goals. 

 

At 22 you should have enough hustle to drum up the business you need. 

post #9 of 95
3/18/13 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norasmom View Post

It's definitely a hobby for me.  I call it my hob-business.  If you wanted to make it your main source of income, you would be exhausted doing it alone, when you consider how long each cake takes from start to finish.  Seems like those who make a true living off of cakes have actual storefronts, employees and bakeries.  It can be a very good side income, though.  

 

hob-business <3!

 

I have help, my fiance would help with mixing,making butter cream and other things, my brother would help with the artistic things as he has a degree in graphic arts, my other brother would be doing all clean up and they all said they could work for nothing for awhile because they believe it will pay off eventually... I'm afraid to take the next step but if i can reel in 2,000 a month for right now i can cover rent,food,electric etc.. I mite be broke and not able to get my nails and hair done but it would work for the time being... Does this sound reasonable? My fiance would have to quit his job in order to help which is the scary thing about this whole situation!

post #10 of 95
3/18/13 at 10:10am

We have a local shop that became well-known after winning Cupcake Wars!  She started small and actually has a very small physical location.  I guess that's one way to keep costs down.  She's also been in local newspapers, on a local cable TV show demonstrating and participates in bridal shows and community events.  Facebook too.  Marketing brings in the customers along with word-of-mouth.

 

www.adycakes.com

 

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=384705

 

That said, I am a hobby baker myself.  I work full time with a one hour commute each way.  I like to go slow and do a little bit at a time.  To run a business full-time you need lots of orders, you have to work very long hours and work very quickly.  I previously owned a different kind of business and i am now satisfied with my 40-hour job and my really rewarding hobby!  I have started to go to cake shows and enter some of my cakes, even winning some ribbons.  I wish you good luck whatever you decide to do!

Children's Birthday Cakes
(1 photos)
2011 Awesome! Magical! Sweet! Cake Contest
(5 photos)
Birthday Cake Photos
(1 photos)
Children's Birthday Cakes
(1 photos)
2011 Awesome! Magical! Sweet! Cake Contest
(5 photos)
Birthday Cake Photos
(1 photos)
post #11 of 95
3/18/13 at 11:07am
Thread Starter 

Its really annoying having ALL my long post needing to be reviewed what the heck! 

post #12 of 95
3/18/13 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 

Guess we'll have to wait for my other post to post! 

Does anyone make 2,000 in profit? As a HOB-Business

post #13 of 95
3/18/13 at 11:11am
If you have a clear competitive advantage and target a market that's willing to pay for quality (which is a challenge in itself) it shouldn't be too difficult to gross $50K. Even if you have no employees, one person should be able to handle 200 servings a week.

Of course $50K gross is probably not a living wage in most areas, but if demand is there you can increase this figure by hiring additional employees and/or pursuing wholesale opportunities.
Edited by jason_kraft - 3/18/13 at 11:18am
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The Bakery Business Perspective
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The Bakery Business Perspective
An experimental blog with new content every Tuesday!

Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
post #14 of 95
3/18/13 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 

I don't know if this is a clear competitive advantage let me know what you think... I offer the customer to pick between AMBC and Swiss Meringue butter cream... My prices are 3.00-3.50 mite change to 4.00 tops... Others are 5.00-7.00/serving in this area...Home bakers 2.00/serving but normally haven't a clue about cake decorating no offense! I specialize in custom children's cakes, there are only two shops that offer everything i do... none offer the choice of SMBC & AMBC if that even makes a difference idk yet... I offer home made Candy's and would like a candy bar if i opened shop... and much more! Something like a children's shop/couture cant really explain it as its all in my head... I offer French Macaroons, cupcakes, fudges, truffles, cream puff's etc... which not many custom shops do around my area... I have a fun "look" to my appearance as would my shop, something fun yet screams gourmet! I also make home made ice cream which i have not seen around here either... Free monthly tasting events.... I know it may all sound tacky but trust me i have some really nice ideas for my shop... And have ways to cut cost as well.. Such as buying wholesale, family members working for nothing with faith we will one day have a big name... A big name for our small town that is icon_rolleyes.gif and much more!

post #15 of 95
3/18/13 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 

Its now posted FIVE post above Jasons... 

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