melissa_lost:  Well you want to make sure your cakes are good enough to sell by giving a few to friends and relatives. But remember, they may not come out and say "this isn't good" because they don't want to hurt your feelings. Make cakes for all occasions and if your at a party and someone asks who did the cake, take credit and hand them a business card.

Do you have a local cake decorating supply store in town that sells cake supplies (pans, tips, pillars, coloring, etc) - if so see if they allow your business card or a cake picture you've done w/ your business card and any professional classes you may have taken or experience. Once you get a name for yourself you won't need all this, but if your new, word of mouth is best.

Ask a grocery store to allow you to set up a table with pictures but a cake you made, and can give out samples, using their products of course. only if they don't do cakes themselves!

Price by the job - regular 9 inch b-day cakes -1 price, 2 layers - another price, sheet pans- another price etc.

Good Luck, hard business to make a name in, but can get good money if doing wedding cakes.
2006-04-02 05:56:36

anchan:  I started by making cakes for friends and family as gifts, then on request. I then started to charge at cost, and when I started to get calls fro complete strangers, I began to charge double to cost (professionals are usually triple the cost!). My name is starting to get known now, and I have just been asked for my 4th wedding cake! Always take photos of finished cakes and build a portfolio to show people what you are capable of!

All the best with your business!
2006-04-02 06:07:49