Hi, Everyone

I'm still trying to figure out what wedding-related business I should get into (I posted a while back about custom gum paste flowers and have gotten great advice and feedback from you guys ... thanks!).

Here's another idea I had ...

Instead of renting out your cake stands, would you consider buying a "disposable" cake stand or plateau that is custom made to match the design of your cake? Of course, you would have to mark this up for your brides/customers, but with the right customer, this should be a nice upsell, right?

This is the service that I'm thinking about providing to local custom cake makers in my area. This way, you wouldn't have to worry about getting equipment damaged or having to pick up the stand or following up with the bride to return the stand. I'm only planning to sell to businesses, not to brides and hopefully gain repeat clients that way.

thoughts?

thanks again in advance!

AIt is already pretty easy for decorators to cover cake drums in fondant to match an existing cake, so I'm not sure there would be a market for this (unless you have another type of disposable cake stand in mind).

Jason...she's talking about cake "stands"....not cake "drums"...big difference.   Not sure OP if there is a need...I like my fancy ornate plateaus.   I have not one not get returned (yet)...knocking on wood.

My ignorance is showing again. Cake plateau? What is it?

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I'm aware of the distinction. When our customers did not want to rent a stand we offered a disposable plateau made from cake drums covered in fondant, this is what I assume is meant by a disposable stand.

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A cake plateau is basically a short cake stand, like this: http://ariescompany.com/images/TrayPlat-CkPlat221.jpg

I was thinking more like a foam base covered in fabric with rhinestones/flowers/other embellishments (like in the picture attached) or, with twigs, branches, moss, whatever the theme is, really. So, I guess what I'm trying to sell is a styled cake table/decor set-up? Still not a viable business?  

disclaimer: I got these photos by searching on Google.

AThese are definitely examples of a stronger product with more of a value proposition to cake decorators. It still might be a tough sell though, since your customers would by definition already have the skill necessary to produce something similar, and I'm not sure how the logistics would work if you matched each stand to a custom cake design...you could work off the specs but to ensure a match it's safer to work off a final product, which would leave you with very little turnaround time.

Market research of local cake decorators should give you a better idea of the feasibility of your business, you are already in an affluent area so that will work in your favor.

AThere's a company that does exactly that, can find them by Googling, I forget the name. But they wrap fabric around foam dummies and attach brooches, bows, etx. Pretty neat.

Ahttp://www.raisethecake.com/about.html. There they are.

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That's a very well done implementation of this idea, I like the ability to design your own stand and have it shipped.

Coincidentally they are also located in OC (Laguna Hills).

I've seen these on Etsy too....

Yes, I'm aware of those companies/products on Etsy. It seems though that they are more on the generic side and are geared towards selling directly to the brides.

What I'm asking is would you, as a custom cake maker, be interested in providing this type of service/product (a custom stand that exactly matches the design, not just colors with generic brooches) to your customers BUT without actually having to do any of the work (I will be providing the stand, but from the background ... your client won't know that you're not making it).

 I'm doing my market research/feasibility/survey through you in this forum, in other words.

AWell I guess not, you said local decorators in your original post. Maybe ask the decorators that are in your area?

Well, I'm hoping that a few Orange County, CA cake makers are also active members on this site. At the very least, your opinions (esp. those who are in the affluent areas) can be representative of the opinions of the local bakers in my area. I just wanted to get a general feel before I start formally introducing my half-baked ideas to the businesses around me.