Orgination Management | Course Paper

Start your own cake or cupcake business!

Jennifer James

FabJob Guide to

Become a

Cake

Decorator

Visit www.FabJob.com

FABJOB® GUIDE TO BECOME A CAKE DECORATOR

by Jennifer James

ISBN: 978-1-897286-23-4

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Contents

About the Author …………………………………………………………………10

About the Experts ………………………………………………………………..10

1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 11

1.1 Welcome to Cake Decorating ………………………………………………11

1.1.1 A Typical Day …………………………………………………………….12

1.1.2 The Market for Custom Cakes and Cupcakes …………….13

1.1.3 Benefits of this Career ………………………………………………..14

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator

1.2 Inside This Guide ……………………………………………………………….15

2. Designing and Decorating Cakes ……………………………………………..17

2.1 Cake Styles and Occasions ………………………………………………….17

2.1.1 Creative Cake Styles …………………………………………………..18

2.1.2 Wedding Cakes ………………………………………………………….19

2.1.3 Cakes for All Occasions ……………………………………………..20

2.2 Baking Your Foundation …………………………………………………….21

2.2.1 Baking Equipment and Tools ……………………………………..21

2.2.2 Pantry Supplies ………………………………………………………….24

2.2.3 Baking Up Success ……………………………………………………..25

2.3 Cake Design and Decorating ………………………………………………27

2.3.1 Design and Assembly ………………………………………………..27

2.3.2 Piping Tips and Techniques ……………………………………….30

2.3.3 Fondant and Gumpaste ……………………………………………..32

2.3.4 Sample Cake Decorating Projects ……………………………….36

3. Designing and Decorating Cupcakes ……………………………………….41

3.1 Why Cupcakes? ………………………………………………………………….41

3.1.1 The Trendy Cupcake ………………………………………………….41

3.1.2 The Appeal ………………………………………………………………..42

3.2 Cupcake Tools and Supplies ………………………………………………43

3.2.1 Baking ………………………………………………………………………..43

3.2.2 Decoration and Storage ……………………………………………..44

3.2.3 Transportation and Display ……………………………………….45

3.3 Baking and Decorating Cupcakes ……………………………………….46

3.3.1 Baking Cupcakes ……………………………………………………….46

3.3.2 Decorating Styles and Techniques ……………………………..48

3.4 Cupcake Decorating Ideas ………………………………………………….49

3.4.1 Hi-Hat Cupcakes ……………………………………………………….50

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator

3.4.2 Cupcake Bouquets ……………………………………………………..50

3.4.3 Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes ………………………………………….51

3.4.4 Cupcake Cakes …………………………………………………………..52

4. Developing Your Skills …………………………………………………………….53

4.1 Skills You Will Need …………………………………………………………..53

4.1.1 Interpersonal Skills …………………………………………………….54

4.1.2 Business Skills ……………………………………………………………55

4.1.3 Other Skills ……………………………………………………………….58

4.2 Learning on Your Own ……………………………………………………….60

4.2.1 Work for a Cake Decorator or Bakery …………………………60

4.2.2 Get Volunteer Experience …………………………………………..61

4.3 Learn From Other Business Owners……………………………………62

4.3.1 Talk to Cake Decorators ……………………………………………..62

4.3.2 Join an Association …………………………………………………….64

4.3.3 Go Ahead and Practice ………………………………………………66

4.4 Educational Programs ………………………………………………………..66

4.4.1 Certificate Programs …………………………………………………..67

4.4.2 Workshops and Seminars …………………………………………..68

4.5 Resources for Self-Study ……………………………………………………..69

4.5.1 Books and Magazines ………………………………………………..69

4.5.2 Online Baking and Cake Resources ……………………………70

5. Starting Your Cake or Cupcake Business …………………………………72

5.1 Defining Your Niche …………………………………………………………..74

5.2 Options for Starting a Cake Decorating Business ………………..76

5.2.1 Working from Home ………………………………………………….76

5.2.2 Buy an Existing Business ……………………………………………79

5.2.3 Franchises ………………………………………………………………….86

5.2.4 Open a New Business ………………………………………………..90

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator

5.3 Choosing a Name for Your Business …………………………………..90

5.4 Writing a Business Plan ………………………………………………………92

5.4.1 What To Include In a Business Plan ……………………………93

5.4.2 Start-Up Financial Planning for a Home Business………99

5.4.3 Start-Up Financial Planning for a Retail Shop …………..103

5.4.4 Sample Business Plan for a Retail Cake Shop……………112

5.5 Start-Up Financing ……………………………………………………………127

5.5.1 Getting Prepared ………………………………………………………128

5.5.2 Equity vs. Debt Financing ………………………………………..130

5.5.3 Borrowing Money …………………………………………………….131

5.5.4 Finding Investors ……………………………………………………..133

5.5.5 Government Programs …………………………………………….136

5.6 Legal Matters …………………………………………………………………..137

5.6.1 Your Business Legal Structure ………………………………….137

5.6.2 Business Licenses ……………………………………………………..144

5.6.3 Taxes ………………………………………………………………………..145

5.6.4 Insurance ………………………………………………………………….147

5.6.5 Food Service Regulations …………………………………………151

6. Setting up a Retail Shop …………………………………………………………. 154

6.1 Finding a Location …………………………………………………………….154

6.1.1 Possible Locations …………………………………………………….155

6.1.2 Points to Consider ……………………………………………………157

6.1.3 Signing Your Lease …………………………………………………..160

6.2 Store Design ……………………………………………………………………..172

6.2.1 Outside the Shop ……………………………………………………..173

6.2.2 Inside the Shop …………………………………………………………175

6.2.3 Shop Security……………………………………………………………179

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator

6.3 Displaying Merchandise ………………………………………………….180

6.3.1 Maximizing Sales ……………………………………………………..181

6.3.2 Creating Window Displays ………………………………………181

6.4 Retail Equipment and Supplies …………………………………………184

6.4.1 Items You’ll Need …………………………………………………….184

6.4.2 Cake Shop Suppliers ………………………………………………..187

6.4.3 Other Suppliers ……………………………………………………….190

7. Running Your Business …………………………………………………………..193

7.1 Shop Operations ……………………………………………………………….193

7.1.1 Developing a Procedures Manual …………………………….193

7.1.2 Areas of Operations Checklists ………………………………..195

7.2 Inventory Software ……………………………………………………………197

7.3 Pricing Your Products ……………………………………………………….199

7.3.1 Guidelines ………………………………………………………………..199

7.3.2 Retail Pricing Formulas ……………………………………………199

7.3.3 Profit Margin vs. Percentage Markup……………………….200

7.3.4 Factors that Affect Pricing ………………………………………..202

7.3.5 Ways to Charge ………………………………………………………..205

7.4 Getting Paid ………………………………………………………………………206

7.4.1 Accepting Debit Cards ……………………………………………..207

7.4.2 Accepting Credit Cards ……………………………………………207

7.4.3 Accepting Payment Online ………………………………………209

7.4.4 Accepting Checks …………………………………………………….209

7. 5 Taking Orders …………………………………………………………………..209

7.5.1 Meeting with Clients ………………………………………………..210

7.5.2 Getting it in Writing …………………………………………………212

7.6 Financial Management ……………………………………………………..216

7.6.1 Bookkeeping …………………………………………………………….216

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator