Starting a cake business
Starting a cake business
and applying mindfulness
How do cake decorators need to apply mindfulness when starting a cake business?
I was inspired by Paul Lemberg’s post on Mindfulness in Simple Action. I was struck with the following thought.
How is mindfulness applied by the cake decorators? There are several ways to do this.
And they should definitely be doing it too – for their business to stand a chance.
Starting a Cake Business – 5 of 10 Golden Rules.
1. Set Short and Long Term Goals
Many sugarcrafters make one big mistake when starting a cake business (or even continuing it for that fact) . The mistake being thinking of only a distant goal. And that is if they have any at all! And the goal is to make a full time living as a cake decorator.
There is a problem with a sometime in the future goal. And this and doesn’t reward you for progress you make on a yearly, monthly, or even weekly basis.
How can you be sure you’re getting closer to the target when it keeps moving?
Instead, try setting 90 day, 6 month, and 1 year goals in addition to your ultimate goal – whatever you decide that is.
2. Treat your Business Like a Business
Take items like branding and marketing seriously. That is if you want your potential customers to take you as a professional baker.
Creative types like sugarcrafters have to be reminded from time to time. Although they get to make money doing what they love, it is still a business and should be treated as such.
Take items like branding and marketing seriously. That is if you want your potential customers to take you as a professional baker.
3. Be Excited
Sometimes you may be having a bad day. Your business is not going as well as you had planned so you’re feeling a bit disillusioned.
It’s important who you share those negative thoughts or emotions with. Especially when you talk to your potential customers.
Don’t pass on negative thoughts to your customers – or they won’t stick around for long.
You can complain or be sad with family and close friends. But never let anyone else consider your business as anything other than spectacular.
You want them to be happy when they think of you as their decorator of choice. You don’t want to be seen as a “downer!”
4. Define Your Target
Decide early on the type(s) of events and customers you would like to work with.
Specialise and hone your decorating, services, marketing, and even pricing for that group.
Being seen as a specialist in one area is a good way to stand out from the crowd. It sets you apart from your competitors and be able to charge higher prices for your goods.
Once you set your target audience, do not water it down by accepting orders outside of the target.
For example, if you want to specialize in birthdays, do not accept office party cake orders.
5. Make Yourself Known
Do not be shy to let everyone know who you are and what you do any chance you get.
This does not mean spamming people on and offline. But a sometimes conversation turns towards what you do.
Or when possible cake events are mentioned, be sure you never miss an opportunity to drop a business card. (Do you have any by the way?)
Keep an eye out for more ‘Start a Cake Business’ Golden Rules – coming soon.
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If you want to start treating your business as a business and begin with pricing cakes – why not check out our Cake Calculator?
CakeCoachOnline Cake Calculator
Or check out our product page here
