If you’re so good at baking that you think you could spend all your days in the kitchen surrounded by sweet aromas coming from the oven, then maybe starting a cake business could be a job made just for you. Being a good baker with an eye for decoration can become very profitable—you just have to start a cake business from home and voila! But how does one just start such an endeavor? Here are a few tips on how to start a cake business and how to become successful at it.
Check the laws
Before you start buying new mixers and bowls for your baking business, check whether running such a business from your home is legal in your state or country. In some cases, people are not allowed to have home-based businesses. However, if you’re allowed to run such a business, you’re still not in the clear, because some areas require people to get a business license and permit. The health department might also have certain requirements regarding equipment, tools, hygiene and inspections. After all, you work with food that can go bad and you don’t want to give your customers food poisoning.
Register your business
It’s crucial to register as self-employed so you can pay taxes through an appropriate system. This is important even if your cake business is your part-time job or a side hustle. The simplest business structure you can choose is a sole trader, so register your small business.
Pick your niche
Before you start whipping out goodies, it’s important to know your target audience and settle on a niche. Many people in your area probably already bake cakes, so you need to stand out by focusing on specific things. For instance, you can specialize in raw cakes, vegan cakes, gluten-free treats, mini cakes or wedding cakes. And since you can only do your business locally (cakes don’t travel well), do some good research on your market before you choose your niche.
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Invest in professional gear
While it’s more than possible to create stunning cakes with your amateur mixers and molds, your job will be much easier and better-looking with a few professional tools. A mixer is your most important thing, as well as a micro bakery oven and a cooling spot. Also, to make your cakes stand out with their taste but also with their look, consider investing in top-notch decoration. Something beautiful like unique edible rose petals can make your cakes attractive and Instagram-ready. And these are 100% edible with a mild sweet and floral taste, require no refrigeration and give out the ultimate sense of luxury.
Introduce your brand
Start by setting up social media accounts for your cake business—most people today look for products on social media. And since your job is so visual, you must provide your customers with plenty of photographs and lavish descriptions to enjoy. Keep your followers updated with your new creations on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and don’t hesitate to share little anecdotes from your life as a home-based cake artist. Social media also allows you to interact with your customers, so make sure to comment, like and share relevant posts.
Customer interaction
Today, it’s more than possible to run a successful business without live interaction with customers. Many bakers today post photos online, reach customers, take online orders and deliver their goods to the customer without any contact. So make sure to consider your customer interaction when it comes to delivery methods and cake pickup. It’s also crucial to see whether you’ll be taking custom orders or have people come in, try your samples and pick something out. Will you be selling to cafes and shops for resale?
Having a home cake business can be a great way to turn your hobby into a career or just get some money on the side. With these tips, you’ll satisfy all the law requirements and attract the right customers that will make your business successful.
