If you enjoy my tutorials, I'd be so grateful if you could Buy Me A Coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/KarolynsKakes

Yes, I agree on the "I will give you so much business," it never happens. The other thing I have noticed is, my business cards never bring me business either but people expect you to have them. Go figure 🤔 🙄

Hi, Karolyn, you are sooo right about people promising business that never comes - I always go over and beyond to make my customers happy, but I am also aware of red flags. When that happens, I respectfully bow out of making the cake. Right now I have a "potential" customer who seems very concerned about a particular shade of pink - from her questions I am getting the funny feeling that if she doesn't get the exact color she's envisioning, she may not be happy. I will make very sure that she understands that I cannot (and will not) guarantee an exact color match - especially when I'm working from pictures sent on an email - what I see on my screen is not necessarily what she sees on her end! Making cakes is very rewarding but also very stressful, but in the end, we love what we do and wouldn't change it for anything else. Once again, thank you for all your tips and tutorials - I've learned quite a bit from your expertise.

100% agree on feeling people's energy. The rude responses I've gotten to a price quote definitely irk me, but I could tell from their first request they weren't actually going to order a custom cake at any realistic price-they were just "fishing". Their big dreams meet up with harsh reality and they get a grocery store cake like they always have. 😉

I love all your tutorials, but I really enjoy the business stuff!! Thank you for sharing so much!! 💖💖💖

I love you.. You always make me laugh! "Take an Uber 🤣" . Love your NJ girl. 💜

Thank you so much for making this video. Especially the part about paying a deposit. I had someone for several weeks. Tell me that they wanted a cake made, but couldn’t tell me what they wanted, how many people, or for when. They kept telling me oh, I’m going to talk to the person at my church to see what they want. However, when the Monday rolled around for them to tell me what they wanted, they never did. Finally, I just told her that I stopped baking for a while. I know it was a terrible thing to do in terms of lying to her, but I just really didn’t want to bake her cake or honestly bake anything for her at all, because she just was so flaky.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

You went with your gut, which is what you need to do! I have found, in my experience, that when you take on an order from someone like this, it's nothing but problems. They don't reply to your messages, you're chasing them for money, they criticize your work. It's worth your sanity to walk away!

Loved this video. Setting boundaries is sooooo important, not only in business but in life. It’s hard to do when you’re just starting out, but I know if you don’t your business will ultimately suffer. Boundaries define you as a professional right from the start.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Exactly! It's hard at first, especially if you're a people pleaser. But there's something refreshing in saying "no" and sticking to it!

that's right, ain't nobody got time for that. Also, your hair looks great

"What can I get for $50?" How about a great cake from your local grocery store?!? 😂

You are amazing! People always want to wait till the last minute and want a custom cake within 5 days, no way this will happen.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Right?! The last minute requests have been insane, especially since 2020.

Omg😂 The comment what can I get for $50 you can get an Uber and go to Sam’s Club lol 😂

@reneeshellman6840

Жыл бұрын

I loved that too.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I'll never say it, but I'll think it allll day LOL!

@jen9216

Жыл бұрын

@@KarolynsKakes I showed my husband just now and he spit out his drink laughing 😂

@MyLittleHomeSchooling

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂 I wish she can cut this part of the video so I can share it.

Yes! After I gave them the quote all deposit info. That’s it

Loved everything you said in this video. You were spot on

Thanks, Karolyn!

Thanks for u share ! Absolutely loooove u work and feed back ! Thanks 🙏🏻💖

I love listening to you you give me so much ideas

Well I just wanted to say that I love your energy. I do not have many friends where I live and you (to me ) are like a friend that I invite into my home. I love your tips and tricks and I just love watching the process of what you do. I check everyday for your videos because I do love the energy you put out and you just seem so kind. You are very talented and I just wanted you to know that I really (as many others here do) appreciate what you do and for sharing it with us. I hope you have a wonderful day and much success :)

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, I needed this. You made my day! I appreciate you!

@Brandi_the_Baker

Жыл бұрын

She really is like a good friend.

This is such good advice thank you. I feel people will take advantage if you let them❤

Wow I can relate to all of this, I work alone at home making cakes and have no one to relate to about customer problems etc so these videos are amazing.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

You need local cake friends who you can talk to. It's very therapeutic! 😂

Another great video!

I have learned sooo much from you! I love your videos they are so helpful so glad I found you KZread channel!

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Awwww I'm glad you found me! 😊🙌

I have advised would be customers to make their own when my prices have been out of their budget. Non cake makers are often out of touch with how much cake ingredients and materials cost, nevermind the amount of time that goes into making a cake. One such lady wanted me to make her a large cake in the shape of a London Underground train for £50 (the price that I had quoted for a cake one sixth of the size). I told her that the price of the cake board and box for a cake that size will cost me £10.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

OMG right?! I think they equate custom cakes to grocery store cakes. And they are WAY different! That's insane. I hope you wished her luck in her search 😂

YES I can feel people's purpose behind their words 😭😭👏🏼👏🏼 Amen to that, thanks for the advice

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I know! I'm so grateful that I can pick up on those things. I think everyone can do it if they listen to their gut!

@lolomaqbool

Жыл бұрын

@@KarolynsKakes absolutely

@evegar4528

Жыл бұрын

True. Just say no if you are not comfortable doing their cake.

❤ you I get so stress out

I had to come back to this video this morning. I just decided to block the customer. I have only had one problem with a customer and her sister, both of them nitpick every single thing that I make. Both of them are always late with their deposits I have to hound them for the balance. Just not worth it. I ignored her a few months ago and she just wrote back to me again so I have decided with the blocking method. Customers will also complain to try to get something free out of it. Even if it’s just delivery. Not with your sanity even if it’s a 1000 cake!

In addition I can't tell you how many time I donated cakes and or gift certificates for cakes to charity with the hope of building my client base. While worthy causes that I don't regret supporting, I never once recieved an order as a byproduct of a donation.

Thanks for the advice on the "3 choices"... I saw this video doing a home repare talking about his service was quality and the people who say it's to expensive are not your potential clients...

It happened to me this week. A lady who had ordered with me before, wanted another 8" football theme cake. After agreed to a price, she texted me back saying if I could put less icing and more actual cake as she had to throw away most of the cake last time. I was shocked and said I cant put more cake if she wants an 8" or less icing, that she wasn't happy with the last cake, she could look into other bakeries. She said she had another lady who bakes for her who really appreciates criticisms and blah blah, I trust my vibes and didn't accept the order. I'm not sure she was looking for a discount or something. Customer who's never happy.

@KarolynsKakes

11 ай бұрын

Good to trust your gut on that one! When people are picky like that, I don't even want to deal. Let her go to someone else who "appreciates the criticisms". (Which means she's picking everyone apart and that baker probably didn't kick her to the curb yet LOL)

your brilliant, same thing's we all experience, I've got someone driving me insane at the moment over a three tier cake 😡😀xx

My response is short and forward “ I would like your business but, I don’t need your business” then proceed to offer local business that might be in their price range 🤷🏻‍♀️

So far, I haven’t had any bad customers. Most of them have been people I know though. I have just recently started charging more for my work. I am not a full time cake artist though. I love your videos. You give me confidence.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I love this! And I'm grateful for you! 💜🙏

Thank you so much for all of your amazing content! I do have a video request if you're up for it! I would absolutely LOVE to know how you stay in shape and manage your time so well during very busy times like wedding/graduation season. I feel like I am going to drop working all of those hours and you still find the time to workout and clearly eat properly! ❤️

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I’m making a note of this for a future video, thank you!

You forget the customer who calls you the day before to make a big cake for next day like they think you put the ingredients in the oven and uou have the cake done. 😅

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Right?! This isn't Costco! 😂😂😂

It was horrible and I was upset because she’s my friend but I feel since I started my business, she’s changed…

I got into it last week before Valentine’s Day with a friend because of this. She feel’s because she’s my friend, she can pay whenever she wants and I should know that. I had to set the boundaries, she was so insulted by me saying that. After all the disagreements, she claims that she will pay me on time for now. I’m not sure but after all that, I said I don’t want to deal with her and money anymore….I dunno. I hate that kind of stress…

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

It's hard when you deal with friends and family. But I will say this...they would never want to go to work and not get paid. So they shouldn't expect that of you either! Here's a video where I talk about it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKetw9SGktq_p6g.html

@chea591

Жыл бұрын

@@KarolynsKakes you’re are right. Thank you. I see so many bakers post on Instagram all day that our family and friends aren’t our ideal customers. It began because of me baking for them for fun and holidays. Then I decided to make it a serious business.

Lol. My brother is the type that always says "you're gonna get so much business blah blah blah" .. lol. And I know first hand it's bs. Like I recently made him some eagles cookies (what a sad time 😢) and he says I'm gonna get kelce to sign one, I'm gonna give your card out to everyone at the stadium, try to give to players, and food trucks . Lol. I'm sure none of that happened 🤦‍♀️

I have specific charities in my area that do dessert auctions that I donate to. They know that they don’t tell me or request specific donations. I will give what I have time to put together that week. Difficult customers, if I catch even a whiff of I want it “just like… (a pic they send)”, or if they use, “it needs to be exactly like” I’m looking for a way out of that order. I will respond with “I’m not sure that design is within my skill set”, or maybe “let me check my calendar and get back with you, I’m so sorry I’m booked” We’ve dealt with someone like that.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Yes! I've done the same. I can't even replicate my own designs exactly, let alone someone else's!

@maggieburris1081

Жыл бұрын

@@KarolynsKakes SAME!!! I have made cakes then had someone ask I want this design. Since then I’ve grown and learned and their cake looks better. Then the original customer of that design will say “hey mine didn’t have… this or that” lol I want to reply with well, “I also charged them more, get over it, be happy” I just explain no two cakes are exactly alike, I’ve learned so much since the did that cake for you… good to hear from you… 🤷‍♀️

Love this video! I struggle with boundaries. Do you have a rule about following up with the customer after the event? I spent a lot of time on a recent cake (which ended up bigger than planned) and did not hear back. I'm leaning towards 'no news is good news' but in the interest of customer service, should I reach out to check that they were happy with the cake (or is that a bit too Needy Nelly)?

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I go with the "no news is good news" theory. When people pick up their cakes, I always ask them to send me a picture of the recipient with their cake. When I get that picture, I know it went well! I don't always get pics, but I have found that people will really only contact you if something goes wrong!

I am wondering if anybody has experienced this when I make cake for myself nothing go's wrong. But when I do a cake order, all go's worng . 😢 my day was all hell. I ended up crying.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

Oh no! Unfortunately, we've all been there. What happened?

@almarice5506

Жыл бұрын

@Karolyns Kakes, I believe that my refrigerated didn't get cold enough to solidify the better in my buttercream frosting in-between decorating, and I kept taking off frosting. I chilled the cake in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then I also did sugar cookies, and my cookie dough kept on spreading out. So I had to make more. I just had to step away and work on it the next morning. I was in my kitchen for 15 hours without having nothing eaten all day. So I was Hungry . I really enjoy all of your tips and advice, and reply me back big hugs and thanks 😊 🤗

❤

How do you take orders?? Do you have a template that customer fill out of what they want? What would you advise to do?

How do you advertise?

Sam's club🤣🤣🤣

I don't play any games with customers and payment. You must book within 24 hours of the final estimate by paying for the non-refundable deposit. No matter what, I tell them that this is first-come, first-serve; the first person to give me a deposit gets booked and if you're slow on confirming, then you need to go somewhere else. They know about this right away, so I don't accept excuses. It's not fair to others also requesting that date. I require at least a 14-day advance notice, and that's clear from the beginning too. Finally, I must have full payment 14 days before the event/delivery date. If they do not pay me 14 days ahead of time, no cake/desserts (I also do dessert tables). I don't do things for exposure, but I will donate if asked and if the request is within reason. Some people will take forever on everything but they must work within your requirements, not you working within theirs. Everyone is busy, and everyone gets sick, but I have never made someone wait on me if that happens--I communicate asap, and understand that my lack of planning does not make whatever it is an emergency for someone else.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

OMG yesssss!! I totally agree with you regarding the sickness / being busy. It takes 2 seconds to text or email an update. And with the deposit, venmo literally takes less than a minute. If they want the cake, they will send it right away!

@Mairiain

Жыл бұрын

@@KarolynsKakes Exactly!

Love your videos I've asked twice now if you ever made a Spider-Man 2 D figure on a cake I'm going to make a cake for a individual that I work with and he likes Spider-Man we're just trying to get some ideal on how to make this 2D figure sorry I don't have no money right now but when I do I'll buy you a coffee

@sweetsanddandy8639

Жыл бұрын

Refer to any of her many 2D figure tutorials and sub in a Spiderman picture.

@KarolynsKakes

Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry I'm just seeing this, with 2D figures, the process is the same. Print out the picture you want to have on the cake, the size you want it to be. Roll out the fondant (mixed with Tylose powder) and trace the picture onto the fondant. Cut the pieces out and assemble it. I show the process in this video, just change the picture to Spider man! kzread.info/dash/bejne/qYN_z9KDoMu0fbw.html

@maryvanwinkle3900

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for answering me I'll give it a go 😊