Home Based Business Cake Decorating

Create a profitable home based business from your hobby. Making and decorating cakes is a creative expression. If you enjoy doing this as a hobby for special occasions for family and friends, you can turn it into a home based business.

This home based business is simple to start. First, you should check your local licensing and zoning and health department laws. You need to be sure you can use your home kitchen for baking.

If you cannot use your home kitchen, you will want to check other alternatives, such as your church or other places that have kitchens. You may be able to rent one for a small fee when it is not in use.

If you can use your home kitchen, make sure you have the necessary equipment.

Decide on whether you will make cakes for one particular occasion, such as weddings or if you will offer cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, and so on. You can start with a basic recipe and add to it as you gain experience and skill.

You can take your inspiration from pictures, but to carve out a niche for your home based business, you will need to develop your own creative designs. You must be flexible. You have to meet the desires and expectations of your customers.

It seems that this would be an easy business to work. But you actually need to have physical stamina. You need to be able to handle the weight of your batter while mixing and pouring and be able to load and unload the cake from your vehicle without damaging it.

Home baked items are a favorite to most people. This home based business allows the customer to personalize their confection. With people so busy these days, they do not have the time to bake but want to be able to enjoy such delectable goodies. Your cakes must taste as good as they look.

What does it take for this business?

This home based business requires that you have some experience in cake baking and decorating. This skill can be acquired by having done it for a number of years at home, by taking courses, and/or by working in a bakery. You should be creative and be artistic. A way to gain experience is to make cakes for friends and family. You need to be knowledgeable of health regulations in your state.

What do I need to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office. The start-up cost for this business can be low, depending on whether you have any of the equipment or supplies needed.

Basic equipment and supplies include:

• Commercial oven (if required by law)
• Baking pans
• Cake pans
• Utensils
• Ingredients
• Cake decorations
• Cake boxes
• Cake platforms
• Accessories
• Vehicle - Van or truck

You can find resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

As a professional cake decorator, you will provide your customers with a customized food item.

Your customer should be able to choose

• Flavor of cake
• Decorations for cake
• Number of layers
• Color of cake
• Type of icing

You should provide delivery of the cake at an appropriate time and place.

What are my potential earnings?

$5,000 to $25,000 annually, depending on whether you pursue this as a part-time or full-time business.

How much do I charge for my services?

Price is usually based on the number of servings, typically $3.00 per person. You should charge as much as your local bakery or a little more. Prices generally range from $15 to $1000 and up for elaborate cakes, such as wedding cakes.

How do I bill for my services?

You present your client with an itemized bill. You may want to take a deposit (half of the cost) up front and collect the remainder on delivery.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• Purchase an ad in your local and community newspapers.
• List your home based business services in the Yellow Pages.
• Place flyers on community bulletin boards.
• Develop relationships with florists, caterers, and photographers that specialize in weddings.
• Place brochures in bridal shops.
• Place brochures and flyers in community centers.
• Place brochures in party shops.
• Donate cakes to charity events.
• Sell slices of your cakes at fairs and flea markets.
• Display your portfolio of cakes at trade shows.
• Issue a press release about your home based business to your local and community newspapers.
• Purchase ads in Bridal magazines.

Online

• Create an informative Web site and list your home based business services.
• Display pictures of your cakes for various occasions.
• List your Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related businesses.
• Link your Web site to local Web sites in your community.
• Publish client testimonials on your Web site.

This home based business requires creativity and stamina. To stand-out, you will need to create your own line of specialty cakes. Review resources for this home business here.