One of the most common questions I get asked is how I came to start my own business.
How did I start making cakes?
I would say that nearly all Cake Decorators start as a hobby and I was no different. I had just finished studying for my post graduate qualification in Human Resource Management and still wanted to carry on learning but had had more than enough of essays and exams. My Auntie, who used to make cakes suggested I went to her friend, Sharon, who ran cake decorating classes in a workshop at her home.
And then the fun started! I nearly didn’t get there – I got very lost on the way and was thinking what the hell am I doing going to some strange woman’s house on my own.
But I did go and Sharon was lovely as were the other two cakey people that were there. I was shown how to make a leaf on a wire and history was made. I LOVED it! I couldn’t believe it looked like a leaf and when I made a flower petal, oh I was hooked!
How did that turn into a business?
Fast forward 4 years and the odd order has turned into repeat orders and requests for wedding cakes and more elaborate cakes. I have by now had a new kitchen with 2 separate ovens as we could never make a meal due to cakes in the oven.
I had just had my second little girl and my goodness, am I juggling! With one daughter in reception, one daughter just starting nursery, a husband that works 6 days per week, my work not budging on full time hours during term-time and a steady stream of cake orders, I didn’t know if I was coming or going.
So we had a chat (well, actually I did a lot of crying about how I would never be able to see the children and Derm tried to do a lot of reasoning) and a decision was made – Aardvark Cakes would be born and my life as a Training Officer would end. This was in 2007 when the financial climate was healthier and there was a good chance that if the cakes didn’t work out that I could find another training job.
Thank God though, he looked after me and I have never looked back. Yes, it has been incredibly hard work to build the business up and there have been a LOT of late nights and tight deadlines, but it is really good fun and very rewarding.
The Good Bits About Running A Cake Business
- Orders are varied and hardly ever boring – If I feel like having a baking day one day, I can, leaving the decorating for another.
- I can pick the girls up from school, I don’t need childcare during school holidays and can be there when they are ill. This is a BIG one!
- Customers are mostly lovely – the nature of the business is that people are planning celebrations so are ‘normally’ happy. I’ve met some amazing people.
- My kids always have the BEST birthday cakes!
- I don’t just ‘potter’ around the house doing the washing, watching Jeremy Kyle, popping the odd cake in the oven as one lady asked my husband.
- We do not always have an abundance of cake hanging around ready to eat and as such, we love it when people bring us cake! Please do!
- We cannot provide every event with a donated cake just for a ‘bit of exposure’
- We will get narky if people ask us to tell them our recipes – would you go into Greggs and ask for their pie recipe?
- We do not know every single kid’s programme inside out (actually I do know quite a lot!)
- We cannot knock up a two tier birthday cake in a couple of hours.
- I cannot charge the same price as Asda for a birthday cake.
This was a great post. I have been hemming and haaaing about making the jump… currently I stay home during the day with kids, and go to my pastry job either really early in the morning or really late at night. I also teach for Fairfax county cake deco and such. But people have been saying I should just open my own cake decorating business. I just have not made the leap.
Hi I highly recommend it. You sound like you are very used to hard work already. The rewards are many (unfortunately, not always monetary!) Don’t think I could go back to working for someone else now though. Good Luck x
Good for you, and I’m glad it’s working out – was there a shed load of hassle to do with environmental services and fridge hygiene certificates and all the other tedious healt and safety stuf which is off putting?
Spent a morning, a few of us at a friend’s house. She’s a cake decorator, but as a hobby. Is forever being asked to “knock up” a cake for a wedding and she’s happy to do it, but will say it’s her present to them and they can look askance as if somehow it doesn’t take hours of work and is a par with a £25 John Lewis voucher. We had a blast sitting round doing the leaves and playing with the carnation press things. Loved it. But a a lot of work.
*smile* I am new to wordpress. I subscribed to your blog. Still learning this system. Can I ask? Who you went with to host your website? Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Fabulous post. Its motivating, funny and challenging at the same time. When I imagine you doing a balancing act so beautifully, I feel mighty encouraged to get going myself.
My best wishes,
Anita
Aw thank you – if only you could see my ‘balancing act’ some days, you would laugh your head off! Thanks for commenting – so pleased to have encouraged you x
Hi Helen, you’re further along the road than me and I don’t really decorate cakes, I bake “homemade looking cakes” alongside my afternoon teas. I like your myths and plus points, all so true. Have managed to turn around an order in three hours from taking the order to delivery but cooling things down to ice them just can’t be rushed! I also receive numerous requests for free cakes and raffle prizes (funnily not from friends, they always pay) and just do what I feel like now.
3 hours!?! Are you mad or just amazing? Good on you for doing what feels right x
Yay great post. I really enjoyed my cake decorating day with The Pink Whisk – I just want to learn more now!!
Have just been reading about your day with Ruth – cakes looked fab! x
What a truly great inspirational story. Wishing you continued success with your business Helen. You sound very happy 😉
Thank you – i’m very grateful for being able to do what I do – it makes the hard work worth it! x
Doesn’t sound that bad, when you read it fast! Do you remember that HR meeting I came with you to? *shudders* You forgot to say what a ‘piece of cake’ setting up websites is too ;0)
Did you see Amy Lane’s post about the cost of bespoke cakes? A real education for the Asda cake customers in seeing that original cakes are actually great value.
Well Done, Helen…
Takes a lot to go out and start something new – especially when you have a family. Sounds like you are doing well and enjoying it. Best wishes to you and yours…
Thanks John-James, its good to catch up with you again after all these years. x
i love the post.n it inspired me too……i was also planning to start my own business of making cakes as i love make cakes n i love decoration too any kind of whth home or cake any…..cAn u plzzz hlp me in startin up my business ?can u plzz send me a mail written all detail of how can i strt my business n what all i need? i would b thankful n greatful to u!!
Hi I really loved your post 🙂 you sound like you could get a gold medal in multitasking 🙂 I have recently started making cakes myself, although they are no way as good as yours. I was wondering if you had any information on how I would start up a cake topper business from home. mainly how to price them up, package them for posting, and bulk making (how long will they last – how to store them) any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated 🙂 Thanks again for your time and the witty and informative post. Your an inspiration. Deb xx 🙂