10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Cake Decorating Business

[@ruthnodecker7759]

Karolyn probably won't like me saying this but I am going to. Karolyn gives alot to us with her knowledge from over 20 years of experience. She responds to our questions and gives us recipes and detailed instructions. If you can buy her a coffee please do. I'm sure that will help her to keep the videos coming. No one on KZbin gives as much as she does. Please try to show your appreciation, if you can.❤❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

Thank you so much Ruth, you're so sweet! Love you girl 💜🙏

[@marisoldarriba9639]

Wonderful suggestions, thank you!

[@sombrerocordobes2256]

Yes! It feels great when you give back.

[@Glamourgal85]

She definitely deserves it. She gives her all on top of being a yoga instructor as her second job and making content. When do you have time for yourself Karolyn!!! I'm sure you enjoy what you do though even though it can indeed get stressful at times but still. Do you get "me" time Karolyn!

[@jennifer87303]

Thanks for the advice. I’m just starting my cake business and I needed to hear all of these tips . You’re always so helpful and informative ❤

[@1843allen]

Awesome awesome awesome information! Thank you so much

[@woohoo987]

I love this video!! Especially point 5, not needing to do EVERYTHING but having your own speciality!!

[@KarolynsKakes]

It's one of the main reasons my business has been successful! 🙏

[@maggieburris1081]

I started selling cakes in 2019 and did everything from scratch. Because “we’re suppose to”. Along comes 2020, we remember what a great year that was 🤦‍♀️. I struggled to get ingredients, so I switched to dr’ed cake mixes. Everyone loved them! The clear vanilla is back in stock. But I actually started using Watkins when I couldn’t get Wilton and I like Watkins better, you might give it a try. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom with us 🤗

[@veronicastephens5408]

Hello. I hope all is well. Where did you find the Wilton back in stock? I've also tried Watkin's as well, but recently ordered the McCormick brand, due to Wilton not being available at Walmart. Thank you in advance.

[@maggieburris1081]

@@veronicastephens5408 I’ve seen it at JoAnns and Michaels.

[@KarolynsKakes]

I've tried Watkins but didn't love it. I prefer McCormick as a Wilton substitute. But I do hear that quite a few people love the Watkins. So these are 3 good brands to consider!

[@veronicastephens5408]

@@KarolynsKakes 💜

[@brandihathaway5408]

On of the best outlooks I've come across came from another creator - hair budda - that failures aren't failures. They're First Attempts In Learning. I think that's a great way to look at it. 😁

[@KarolynsKakes]

Yes! Literally everyone fails on their way to success. It's how we grow! 🙏

[@Glamourgal85]

Everything you are saying is so true! The main thing I have learnt during my cake journey is there is not one way or a certain way to do things. There are different ways to do certain techniques. We gotta do it the way that works for us. Also, realizing I am allowed to make my own rules about what I feel comfortable with making. There is no one shoe fits all in cake decorating.

[@KarolynsKakes]

Exactly! You don't have to take on every order that comes your way. If I'm miserable when I'm making a cake, it never turns out well!

[@ninibren]

You forgot washing all the darned dishes!!! 😂cake baking and decorating is such hard work! If you care about the product you're selling there's a lot of education required, too. Hours of reading, researching and watching videos to learn new techniques. Love you Karolyn ❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

OMG YES!! Cleaning up takes SO much time!

[@ruthnodecker7759]

Yes, yes, yes!! You nailed it😁

[@traciw71]

All the cleaning and hair nets lol

[@ruthnodecker7759]

@@traciw71 yes, the hair nets and numerous rolls of paper towels.😁

[@traciw71]

Sure glad I watched the whole video. 😊

[@KarolynsKakes]

💜💜

[@melissajones6920]

I soooooo love you!!! Thank you for taking your time to help me be a better caker. ❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘

[@KarolynsKakes]

Love you back! 💜💜

[@louiselemon9717]

I just love how real you are & I agree with getting payment 1st❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

Once you get burned you'll never do it again!

[@karatefella]

Hi Karolyn ! I'm just a hobby baker but I love baking and decorating cakes ! You talk about putting cakes in the fridge. At Christmas, I made a fondant covered cake and put in in the fridge. When I took it out, it became very sticky. It took about two days to dry out enough to touch it ! It was only for us, so it didn't really matter 🙂

[@KarolynsKakes]

It's most important to have a cool space to bring your cake into from the fridge. If your house is hot and humid, then refrigerating your cakes may not work. In the Summer, I have my air conditioning ON BLAST (I wear sweatshirts inside) so the cakes don't sweat.

[@smitabrito6001]

Thank you. It was very much useful. I am a beginner in Cake industry and I also experienced some of the things which you told and I am also learning to adopt all the things you told. Thank you once again.

[@KarolynsKakes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MelaninQueen93]

I just love you Karolyn ! Your the best and I love how confident you are in you doctored cake recipes I use one as well and I made a scratch cake a week ago just to play around and it stayed moist however the flavor just wasent as powerful it was cookies and cream but it just taste like vanilla no matter how much cookies I added it just didn’t hit the same lol I’ll stick to what the people like !

[@KarolynsKakes]

Exactly! Once I switched to doctored mix recipes and got all the rave reviews, I knew I'd rather stick to what they like!

[@chocolatehoney8181]

I love your openness ❤❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

Thank you love! Hopefully it helps others out 💜🙏

[@kimgaddatmakeitsweetyeg5820]

I wish I knew that sooooo many local and even well known bakers refuse to run the math on their numbers and are willing to go into crippling debt just for hype and/or the sale. Still blows my mind. Thank you for changing this narrative and truly being an industry leader.

[@KarolynsKakes]

Exactly! And that was so sweet of you, I appreciate you!!

[@kmbn1967]

Thank you very very much. I've been considering expanding my cake sales to include vanilla chocolate iced cakes. I really sell batches only once sometimes twice per year. This is a real eye opener. Appreciate you opening your heart to us

[@KarolynsKakes]

You're welcome love, I'm glad this was helpful!🙏

[@coraq6000]

Great tips!!!!! I used to believe the one about fondant in the fridge. Thanks to you I’ve abandoned that thinking and its worked out fine!!!

[@KarolynsKakes]

Right?! It's all about how you handle the cakes once you take them out!

[@MzNesi50]

This information is very helpful.....thanks for sharing

[@ceirasimmons1996]

Girl, I just love you! I love that you keep it so real about everything 💯❤️ your videos are so easy to follow!

[@KarolynsKakes]

This makes me so happy, thank you so much! 💜🙏

[@JenniferM0531]

Doctored cake mix is the best imo

[@KarolynsKakes]

It's really SO good!

[@temigold9655]

Hi Karolyn, thank you for all the your videos they have helped me a lot. 💖💖💖

[@cindys2995]

YES to all of these. People take kindness for weakness! I would add that anyone starting any business should take at least ONE business class to learn the basics of counting cost, bookkeeping, time management, etc. I took 2 accounting classes YEARS ago because I worked at the IRS and they paid for it. I never went further, but it has served me well.

[@KarolynsKakes]

This is a GREAT tip, thank you Cindy! 🙏

[@cindys2995]

@@KarolynsKakes Thanks for sharing your wealth of info. I really appreciate you!

[@bernadettebaptiste5561]

You're so good in teaching will be joining soon thank you so much

[@SweetTreatsBy_Marie]

I love Wilton clear as well

[@veronicastephens5408]

Gd morning. You're amazing! Thanks for sharing. Btw, I ordered the McCormick. Love your NJ girl. 😉💜

[@KarolynsKakes]

It's really good!!

[@veronicastephens5408]

@@KarolynsKakes Thank you so much. I will definitely try it because I trust what you say.😉

[@jogrant3851]

Found in USA online Wilton Clear Vanilla 8 Oz Bottle 5.99. It's a place called joann.

[@soniareyes9099]

I appreciate your honesty and tips🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Love your videos and u work , 💖thanks

[@luigiahodge9018]

Thank you for sharing!!!!!

[@DennieRiley]

You’re the best, Karolyn!!

[@KarolynsKakes]

😊💜🙏

[@mariahutter7081]

Excellent list👍

[@gaillggl_collage6391]

I really hope to order a cake from you some day soon! My boyfriend turns 65 this summer so I just may be in touch!! Love your cakes so much!! (I also love that Eagles shirt!!)

[@KarolynsKakes]

Yayyy!! I look forward to it! (And go birds 😊💚)

[@lolomaqbool]

Thanks a lot Karolyn ❤ I've learnt so much from you ❤❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

💜🙏

[@ruthnodecker7759]

Great KZbin!! You are the Best❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

Love you!!

[@lxus4u]

Ur amazing

[@KarolynsKakes]

Thank you love!

[@denecefrisbie9578]

I just LOVE your videos 💞💞I’ve been doing cake since 2010. Self taught LITERALLY from AMAZING gracious people like you!! I’ve silently been learning from you for a long time now, and I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned, and improved. I’m definitely no where’s even close to your talent though. I just don’t have the time to invest. The problem I have is customers willing to pay the price of my cakes. My niche is dessert and birthday cakes. I only charge a base price $35.00 for an 8” 3 layer cake. All made from scratch, with Swiss meringue buttercream… including 1 filling! Everyone always raves about how “it’s the BEST cake I’ve ever eaten” , however, very few people go through with the order because “it’s too expensive” Have you had to deal with these types of problems? And how can I combat this issue?

[@unadeliciadepastel]

I know you are not asking me but I can share my experience which is very similar. When they say your cakes are "too expensive" it is because we need to understand what customers already know: we sell commodities. In this case, the war is for price not for specialty or value. That's why. Just like water, flour or oil, cakes are like those. Any cake will do regardless who makes it. If they can find it cheaper and just as delicious and beautiful as you do that potential customer is gone (unless they love to do business with you because of your personality or the way you run your business that makes ordering easy). Therefore, unless you really specialize in something that no other bakery can do, or your work is not comparable to other cakes you see out there, or something that sets you apart and no other baker offers, or just like Karolyn who became an expert at designing and executing her style like no other then you can pretty much command those $$$ and people will pay. That is why I try everyday to stand out with this craft since nowadays many things commoditize quickly. Hope that helps; and again in my 12 years doing this this is the theory that has more relevance.

[@KarolynsKakes]

You're losing money by only charging $35! That's probably less than a Sams Club cake! Think of the cost of ingredients and the time you spend making these cakes. You're losing money! The people ordering from you would never work for free, so why should they expect you to? If they want a cheap cake, send them to the grocery store LOL! And people are spending over $50 on a freakin Stanley cup. They can afford custom cakes! 😂

[@KarolynsKakes]

love this!!

[@jogrant3851]

Thanks Karolyn. People can really be like herding cats. I started a graphic design business but couldn't deal with the people side of it, haha. I know now that having strict ways of doing business is the only way to go. I just noticed a 240ml bottle of Wilton Clear Vanilla Extract on Amazon Australia for AU84. OMG. There are quite a few cake making supply stores here that have the Wilton clear vanilla (59ml and non-natural) for AU5.95.

[@KarolynsKakes]

McCormick Clear Vanilla is a good substitute! Do you have that down there? amzn.to/48Ubxrk

[@2LuvMe55]

I am a novice baker just learning to bake for fun. I have purchased 3 of your ebooks so fare. My question is: is there a good alternative to Sweetex shortening. Since I am not baking for commercial use I do not need 50 pounds of the Sweetex and I can’t seem to find it in any other quantity. Thank you in advance.

[@KarolynsKakes]

Yes! I do mention that in the notes at the end of the books! Scroll all the way to the end, there are tons of tips to help you. 😊

[@2LuvMe55]

@@KarolynsKakes thank you.

[@geanabartley8118]

Where can I find the recipes books to download

[@KarolynsKakes]

Here ya go! I have everything linked in the description as well. 😊 www.buymeacoffee.com/karolynskakes/extras

[@unadeliciadepastel]

I loved this video so much Karolyn thank you thank you for sharing! what do you say if a potential customer asks you if your cakes are from scratch??

[@KarolynsKakes]

I never lie! I confidently tell them about my doctored mix recipes. Most people are cool with it when they see how confident you are in your product. I've had a handful of people not order because of it. But not many. To be honest, hardly anyone asks. But I don't hide the fact that I use a doctored mix recipe, so that info is out there!

[@vpardo53]

I'm curious! Have you had someone not come to pick up their cake between your scheduled pick up times? If so, what did you do with the cake?

[@KarolynsKakes]

Maybe a handful of times, I don't really remember because it hasn't happened in a while. I probably stayed at home and waited for them. I never left a cake outside for someone to pick up. This is another reason why I always stress that I will be leaving at a certain time and if they are late they won't be able to get their cake!

[@victoriasmith2965]

I still haven't been able to find the vanilla !!!

[@KarolynsKakes]

This is a really good substitute, it tastes VERY similar to the Wilton! amzn.to/3Sels5K

[@victoriasmith2965]

@KarolynsKakes thank you. I actually bought that one the last time you mentioned it's a good substitute!!! Lol. Hopefully they will have the wilton clear back in stock soon.

[@magikdust2095]

I worked with my mom at her bakery, but she would always price her cakes far too low, and then she'd end up not making much, if any, money on them. She did this because SHE wouldn't want to pay that much for a cake. She grew up in a different time, when cakes were a lot cheaper, and when people wouldn't have thought to pay today's prices for a cake. She made gluten-free cakes, and she didn't even want to charge $100 for a custom cake order. This would leave her (and myself, the cake decorator) making little, if any, money off the cakes because gluten-free ingredients are far more expensive than regular ingredients. I tried multiple times to tell her she needed to price her cakes higher, but she just wouldn't listen. Meanwhile, all the other bakeries in the area who do gluten-free cakes price their cakes much higher, and that's not even for custom cakes. Learning how to price cakes is one of the most important lessons for running a cake business.

[@KarolynsKakes]

It really is! I think all of us go through that phase where we don't charge enough. Until we do the calculations and realize we are working for $3 / hour.

[@dvaldes6985]

Hi Karolyn. I am new in this and i know i should have a contract with customers. Are u able to share yours? Do you send it electronically for signing? Just wondering on that process. I also did buy your doctored cake recipes and loved them. Please let me know if you have some form of payment i can make for the copy. Thanks again 😅❤

[@KarolynsKakes]

Email me at [e-mail]!

[@rachealjohnston5025]

I hate it when customers try and guilt me into a lower price. I now ask them...... How would they feel if thier boss came to them saying I really don't feel like paying your agreed wage?

[@KarolynsKakes]

Exactly!! They would never want to work for less, so why would they expect you to?

[@Pray_for_israel_]

I really need your help on family and friends that just expect the cakes to be free. They say can you do this cake and it can just be my gift. My gift is usually around the $50 mark but now I’m giving away $100 in cake supplies plus all my time when I have 5 kids under 8. I’m feeling like I should just stop making them and giving up my dream because I’m so stressed about it. Please help. Also you made another mine craft cake lol you said no more mini squares haha

[@kanais]

Ask them if they ask the light bill company or cable bill for a discount !

[@Pray_for_israel_]

@@kanais Thankyou I know. I’m just a single mum and I’m losing money at this point. I’m just not strong enough to say no.

[@kennethwinks2199]

Make a list of all the ingredients hours electricity and everything else that you use and ask them to pay and tell them your time and hours spent is your wedding gift to them:to keep costs down having them transport cake to venue;be strong if they say no you’re not out of pocket

[@KarolynsKakes]

I talk about it in this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTckqWDl9yMrac

[@Pray_for_israel_]

@@kennethwinks2199 I really really love your response! It makes so much sense! Thankyou so much

[@lornafranklin]

Pricing of cakes is always a headache

[@mrsbrockgabby]

The reason your Wilton Clear Vanilla isn’t in stock is because everyone on your channel is now using it because you love it. 😅

[@KarolynsKakes]

Touche! 😂