Thinking of selling cakes for extra cash...

NatSte

...anyone else do this and could you give me some tips? Just looking for some nifty ways to raise extra money. I make decent cakes and cupcakes, so seems like a good place to start!

Thanks

scotsbob

Valentine's day only 2 weeks away, get some ads in your local supermarkets fast and corner the market. See if your local corner stores will sell them on commission. As soon as that's over Easter is just ahead. The possibilities are endless.

I have a feeling in my bones that someone with cold water will be along shortly to drone on about health and tax and regulations. Just strike while the iron is hot, getting the cash in is the important thing. Worry about paying it out later.

Hoody

One thing to bear in mind, is that there may be a load of rules and regs that you have to comply with if doing things "Officially" A woman i used to know, used to make wedding cakes. And to comply with the local councils rules and regs she had to have extra sinks fitted, a hygiene certificate and several other things that cost her as couple of grand to get sorted.

LilacPixie

check with local council EHO. My area want you to hold a hygiene cert and to examine and pass kitchen. Neighbouing council area just wants to examine and pass kitchen. You need liability insurance incase something you make makes someone sick. I personally don't think their is much money to be made on a small scale but it can be if you develop a following and a good client base. I now some people who sent flyers to local businesses advertising 6/12/18 cupcakes delivered to offices in morning for teabreaks/meetings and they do a roaring trade but you would need transport and be availible to deliver in morning

Niv

You will need most / all of the following:

Public liability insurance
Hygiene certificate
Kitchen inspection by local council

It would be a very good idea to join the sugar-craft guild. They will offer lots of advice and they do a good deal on insurance for its members.
Niv

roobyroo07

I did a car boot sale last year and the woman next to me sold 12 dozen cupcakes for 90p each. She had a variety of different flavours and little boxes to put them in and she had sold out by 10.30!

VfM4meplse

NatSte wrote: »

...anyone else do this and could you give me some tips? Just looking for some nifty ways to raise extra money. I make decent cakes and cupcakes, so seems like a good place to start!

Thanks

The impression I'm getting is that this is a hobby rather than as a whistles and bells business. Do you have children? If so, I would start by using the circle of Mums, offer your services for children's birthdays and parties and busness will grown by word of mouth. If nothing else, you could minimise the red tape. I'm a little wary of the car boot sale idea, selling to complete strangers for profit is a bit different.

(Waits patiently for people to jump on this post for very obvious reasons, but let me ask you - what could be more innocuous than a cupcake? :whistle:).

debbie_debt

Hi there,

There's a huge thread full to brimming with people talking about making money from various types of baking here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2167151

Hope this helps!

Debbie

Niv

VfM4meplse wrote: »

The impression I'm getting is that this is a hobby rather than as a whistles and bells business. Do you have children? If so, I would start by using the circle of Mums, offer your services for children's birthdays and parties and busness will grown by word of mouth. If nothing else, you could minimise the red tape. I'm a little wary of the car boot sale idea, selling to complete strangers for profit is a bit different.

(Waits patiently for people to jump on this post for very obvious reasons, but let me ask you - what could be more innocuous than a cupcake? :whistle:).

I do not reccomend avoiding the relatively little and inexpensive 'red tape'. You may know these mums but if you poison their children they will sue you. I know that is an extreme and unlikely outcome from making cakes, but for the sake of ~£100 of 'red tape' costs is it worth the risk?

Katy_P_2

yes i would guess a good way to do this is start with people you know and build on it from there, i know if i knew someone who sold them i would purchase some, valentines day would be ideal for some customised cup cake ideas to make some quick cash

mallymal

Me & some pals do woodturning (stick with me....) and sometimes do craft fares etc.

We often see cupcake vendors, and the impression I get is that demand is hard to predict.

On one occasion, the lady on the next stall had sold a tiny number - and had the soul destroying job of taking them all back home. Fresh sponge, butter cream.... sell by date of a couple of days I bet.

She said "oh well, I just take them into work next day & my workmates buy them" ....(or should that be FEEL OBLIGED to buy them).

I just think you have to be prepared for potentially high wastage, but good luck if you give it a go.