How to Start a Cake Decorating Business 1-2-3
With a little creativity, you can launch your own professional cake decorating business,
even if you're working with a limited budget.
How to Get Started: Use the Cake Decorating Business
Blueprint to jump-start your business with simple cost-cutting strategies and creative money-making
ideas.
Or if you want to specialize in weddings, you can get step-by-step instructions form professional
Dede Wilson from designing to baking to decorating in her guide "Wedding Cakes You Can Make" sold at
bookstores.
Cookie Decorating is also
a profitable business, since cookies can be sold on their own - or as part of a package like a gift basket,
year round.
The permits and licenses you'll need will depend on where your business operates and what type of
food products you are selling. Each state has its own
requirements. Your cooking space will be required to pass an inspection by the Department of Health. Upon
approval, they will license you. If selling packaged gourmet cakes, you may also be required to maintain a
standard recipe for product labeling purposes.
Getting Started:
After putting together a business plan for your cake business, come up with a business name and register the name with your county
clerk. Obtain the necessary business
licenses and get a business bank account so
you can receive payments from customers to your business name.
Next, get a merchant account so you
can give customers more ways to pay you. Download a free invoice template that
you can use to bill customers and get accounting
software to track business income and expenses ro hire a bookkeeper. You'll save time when it's time to
file your tax return and be better prepared to take advantage of tax deductions.
If you plan on opening a bakery, lease
or buy commercial space for your shop. Working with a commercial real estate broker will help you find
vacancies and calculate rents that fits your budget. You can also rent commerical kitchen space or set up a baking area at home. Your cooking
space will be required to pass an inspection by the Department of Health. Stock up on wholesale cake decorating supplies and baking tools.
How to Start
Your Own Cake Decorating Business
Here is a step-by-step guide which will teach you how to get your cake decorating business off the
ground and how to run it successfully.
Expert Jennifer James shows you every aspect of this creative and fun business so you can be assured you are
taking the right steps to start your venture. Cake Decorating Business Owners share their experience so you can
minimize your risk and maximize your success in your own business.
Find
out:
How to decorate cakes - from style to assembly
to the right tools and supplies and more.
- How to start with little money, getting licensing, how to find/rent a commercial kitchen.
- What are the hottest baking industry trends now? How to find clients - and get orders. Plus
samples of business forms, pricing lists and lots more
Cake Decorating Business Blueprint
Cake Decorating Business Resources:
Many people overlook the money-saving benefits of Microsoft Office software or Office Professional. With this software
(which you may already have), you can complete many tasks yourself without having to pay someone else,
like:
- Track projects and events on a business calendar (which you can print out) so you don't miss
important deadlines
- Create professional-quality marketing materials (like brochures, newsletters and business cards)
without having to pay a designer
- Design company presentations for clients that help you make more sales,
- Manage customer databases and track inventory so you can run your company at top
efficiency
- And put together contracts, proposals, flyers, budgets, invoices, receipts and all sorts of documents
quickly with 100's of business form templates.
More Tips for Finding Cake-Buying Customers
29 Ways to Find New
Customers
Take the guesswork out of finding customers by picking up a marketing guide specifically designed for small
business owners. This complete marketing resource contains free and extremely low cost ways to attract new
clients to your business with minimal effort - saving business owners lots of money and time.
Expert David Frey shares exactly which techniques have worked for him and other business owners. Plus, he
includes shortcuts, time-saving tools and easy step-by-step instructions - so you can find lots of clients
without having to pay an expensive marketing firm. >> The Small Business Marketing
Resource
- Get Found by Local Shoppers - Online
With today's mobile devices, shoppers are turning to local online directories instead of using the yellow
pages when they want to find a local business. This can be an affordable means of reaching your local
cake-buying market, and there are a variety of resource you can use to do it.
- Postcard
Marketing
Introduce local prospects to your business by mailing them postcards announcing a sale, event or special
coupon. You can create postcard designs online for minimal cost. First, choose an offer. Second, design
your postcards online using professional postcard templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And
third, get targeted leads from a lead generation company like Resource Nation.
-
Email Marketing
Email is still one of the best techniques of reaching out to and keeping in touch with customers. No
email list? No problem. If you have a website, email marketing companies like ConstantContact will help
you build a customer list using their simple sign-up form.
They also provide email templates that you can use to design professional emails. Their
program delivers emails for you, and they include real-time reporting. You can try their service free
for 60 days, no credit card is required. Start now: ConstantContact 60-day free
trial.
- Groupon
This is a popular online coupon marketing tool that doesn't cost lots of money. Get a ton of new prospects
fast (in 24 hours) through at site called Groupon. No up-front marketing costs!
Baking Business Associations
- American Bakers Association
The leading trade association for the baking industry.
- American Society of Baking
The American Society of Baking is a professional organization that brings together individuals in the
grain-based food industry for personal development, recognition, education and leadership.
- Culinary Business Academy
The Culinary Business Academy is an educational institution dedicated exclusively to the science of
successful business in culinary endeavors.
