Cash from Baking??

maisy_daisy

Just checking in here after spending all day reading this thread!

I'm hoping to start a cake decorating business; I've made a few cakes for family and friends which have gone down very well, and have started to get enquiries for real, paid cakes :j

Got my environmental health inspection tomorrow morning (eeek!) - I'm a bit worried as I've only got 1 sink, no downstairs toilet, and my washing machine is in the kitchen - all of which seem to cause problems for some EHOs. I've spent all day scrubbing though , got my "safer food better business" pack filled in, and completed a food hygiene course so I'm as ready as I'll ever be!

Wish me luck :j

stardrops42

Question for all you ladies who are running/starting a cake business

How long were you making cakes for family and friends before you felt confident to go into business?

I've made a few cakes for family and friends (pics on my blog/homepage) and people keep telling me I should go into business but I'm not sure if I feel confident/good enough and just wondered how others felt before they made the decision :think:

Moominmamma

Good luck with the EHO maisy_daisy - they seem very random, looks like some are very Kim and Aggie-esque, mine came unannounced while the kitchen looked like a bomb site but pretty much just has a cup of tea and signed me off!!

Stardrops, judging from the pics of your cakes you should have gone into business ages ago - go for it!!

hayley11

Hi Stardrops, I only started making cakes in March when I decided I wanted to make my own wedding cake. I've made around 15 cakes now. I'm still really nervous and don't have much confidence in myself but I do get a lot of positive comments from people so it spurs me on.

If you really don't feel confident, just carry on making for friends and family until you do. Or bite the bullet and set up a business, you've got nothing to lose Good luck x

hayley11

AronS wrote: »

Oooh, thanks for that info Rince. I'll pop into there when I'm next in town

Also, on the subject of logos, can anyone recommend a cost-efficient company for logo design? I have seen Ella Announcements mentioned but does anyone else have any suggestions? I'm currently looking at logodesignguaranteed.co.uk - does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks x

I've read some bad things about logo design guaranteed, linky here.

I'd be wary of using them to be honest.

It's hard finding a logo designer, I searched for ages and only found Ella Announcements because somebody recommended her to me and I loved her designs and her price.

Do you have any friends or family that have a logo designed?

Also I wouldn't pay out for a logo until you've had the EHO round, if they say no then your money is wasted.

karenccs67

College was good last night, weve each got our own workstation, oven and sink, so lots of room to make a mess !!! We made "pulled flowers" much harder than I thought it would be, we were also able to try a couple of different makes of flowerpaste but we will be making our own after Xmas. Next week we will be putting our flowers on to wire stems, will post pics if any good, dont hold your breath ! off to buy some equipment that I need for next week.

nat21luv

oh im sooooo pleased! ive got my first order! trust me though-my first order is for an ann summers party and they would like pink cupcakes with a willy or two stuck on top! ha! some advice for people if you want to get your name out there...ive just volunteered to supply table favours for 300 people at a charity event for help the heroes where the high and mighty of torbay and exeter will be attending! yes i might have to fork out a bit but you've got to speculate to accumulate! so excited!

maisy_daisy

congratulations nat21luv, how exciting! :j

Well the EHO inspector has just left - and he says I can go ahead :j:j:j

He was here for literally 10 minutes, he didn't even look in my gleaming cupboards or fridge, didn't ask to see my food hygiene certificate or painstakingly filled in safer foods folder, it was a doddle!

He didn't have a problem with me only having the one sink, as he said, I've got hot water and soap so not a problem. I've got a dog, he just said to make sure he's out of the kitchen while I'm baking, and to wipe down the kitchen surfaces when I'm done - common sense really. As he said; "No one has ever died from eating a cake!"

I'll get a certificate with my "scores on the doors" rating - 5*!

Right, off to research websites and business cards

nat21luv

yay maisy!! so exciting-im buzzing!

hayley11

karenccs67 wrote: »

College was good last night, weve each got our own workstation, oven and sink, so lots of room to make a mess !!! We made "pulled flowers" much harder than I thought it would be, we were also able to try a couple of different makes of flowerpaste but we will be making our own after Xmas. Next week we will be putting our flowers on to wire stems, will post pics if any good, dont hold your breath ! off to buy some equipment that I need for next week.

Oooh that sounds really good! Glad you enjoyed it Look forward to seeing your creations

I thought we'd have our own workstations too but we there are just four big tables between 20 of us, was a tight fit for 5 of us last night once we'd got all our equipment, dummies out etc.