Cash from Baking??

skintbint_2

well done tasha, i have had 3 cakes this week and a fourth to do for saturday so am struggling but dont want to say no as this is really the foundation for the future , also got order for a 3 tier wedding cake for july - woohoo cant wait to do that one. 2 tiers madiera and 1 chocolate charging £150 as i will have to but tins as they want heart shaped but may try with templates and carve the hearts.
will have a look at the book you recommend, hope you handed out business cards - you can get adult themed books for cakes am sure they would be interesting!

Dulcie88

Hi all,

Just found this post and this is something I have been looking at doing for a while now! I just had a quick question for Skintbint - do you not have to do your h&h course before you can start selling cakes? I thought you had to do this and get your premises checked by environmental health before you can even begin to start selling and advertising?
Just wondered because I am currently waiting to do my course but already have people wanting cakes and have had to say no as I don't want to get in trouble with any authorities!

Thanks

skintbint_2

Dulcie88 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just found this post and this is something I have been looking at doing for a while now! I just had a quick question for Skintbint - do you not have to do your h&h course before you can start selling cakes? I thought you had to do this and get your premises checked by environmental health before you can even begin to start selling and advertising?
Just wondered because I am currently waiting to do my course but already have people wanting cakes and have had to say no as I don't want to get in trouble with any authorities!

Thanks

at the minute only do for friends, but am looking at getting everything in order for the start of the financial year then turning it into a business.

Dulcie88

Hi Skintbint

That's cool it's good to see your so organised!!! I work full time and am studying for a masters at the mo so i'm kinda waiting a bit until I finish my masters which will be in May before I fully set things up!! There is so much to think about!
Do you think you will do farmers markets etc? or just advertise online?

skintbint_2

there are not many farmers markets around here and the ones that are are all stitched up! i also work full-time and part-time and do ebay as well as the cakes so i never have time to call my own at the minute - i only thought i'd get one every now and again boy was i wrong so now i am being asked for others - like the wedding cake for a friend of a friend i need to get everything in order. i dont think i'll really have to advertise very much as i think most of my work will be word of mouth but will just have to see how it pans out.

Dulcie88

That sounds excellent. I think its a great thing to do as and when you can for people. I was wondering are you going to be doing it all from home? and if so are you getting your kitchen checked by environmental health? Some things say I should and others say not to worry for a small business so i'm not sure really!!
I can't wait to start up properly although think I will need to start making more time for the gym as putting on weight from eating all these cakes!!!

makestuffnotmoney

Hello!
Just chippin' in as I do earn a bit of cash from baking and chocolate making. I have found it hard to find outlets, I have a website through Mr Site which is great if you have postable stock, and can be advertised locally if your stuff is hand delivery only, but factor in the delivery costs.
My local farmers market was not that good for me because it was run by a silly old bat who was of no help and had no idea about publicity etc and also we tended to get low income types, not the middle class foodies, which is fair enough but no good when they moan on about Cadbury's being cheaper etc. I mostly sell now through events where I can get a cheap price stall - try events such as classic car meet-ups, small local music events, student nights, foot ball leagues, the sort of places where people meet and food is an after thought but appreciated - vintage fairs, collectors and sci-fi events - and you can theme goods accordingly.
I do find you often have to do two or more of the same event before people expect you to be there and come prepared; and so wasted can be a problem, try and make long life stuff or stuff which can be frozen for future events.
I want to find more online work, pre ordered is always better, and personalized stuff is good as it carried a premium. Oddly, rude things sell well, something about a pretty cake with an f word on amuses people but pick the right crowd!
I got a certificate but it's limited to what I can use, to use meat and fish I'd have to do a traning course and have more space/equipment to have dedicated storage etc; but the process of getting it was very easy and the inspector very helpful.
I'm trying etsy, and applying for not on the hight street as well, will post if that goes ok, or not.
I also make childrens clothes, will be setting then up also soon, something has to work!

TashaC

skintbint I didn't give out any cards... missed opportunity I think! I'm half way through the cake course and have said to myself as soon as I finish I will start looking in to developing this whole cake thing! recently spoke to a friend who owns an evens management company... he said he wants to learn as he is having to out source all his cake work whilst knowing theres a lot of money to be made!

Mickey247

What you need is a niche.

There's a great example where I am where a young guy started making jam in his parents kitchen, it's now in the supermarkets and he's well on his way to being a millionaire I think.

The product was Superjam and the unique point was it was sugar free and made with grape juice.

Just find something unique for your product and keep looking for new opportunities to sell.

zippy99

Saw this story on the daily mail site today about a lady faced with financial disaster due to drop in her husbands income.

She started a cup-cake business:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1251860/Cupcakes-saved-home-How-I-cooked-plan-bake-family-bankruptcy.html