Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Booked to make cupcakes for a baby shower!
Ok, so I was asked by my neighbor last night to make cupcakes for her baby shower in April! I'm so pumped! I've never made any baked goods for events other than work parties before, so I'm also pretty nervous. She definitely wants devil's food cake, and the filling and frosting combo is still being decided. So I was wondering if any of you bloggers out there had any cool ideas for decorating for baby showers? I've seen some stuff while browsing online, but nothing I've been thrilled with so far. Also, I'm not exactly sure how to go about "charging" her... should it just cover the costs of the ingredients? And how should I determine the cost if I'm using some of the ingredients I already have in my pantry? Ugh! Please speak up if you have any advice! I'm clueless.. Thanks!! :)
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I've been to regular cupcakes and cupcake bakeries, and they charge anywhere between $2.50 - $4. I know professional baking caterers charge $2-$2.50 per cupcake. Personally, I'd charge $2 per cupcake, and perhaps a little discount if she orders several dozen.
ReplyDeleteNow since you're new, you may feel like you should charge a little cheaper. Just be careful because if you go too cheap and start picking up more business, you will then have to raise your prices.
Make sure you will profit enough (or come out even!) with ingredients. If you have to buy fruit out of season, make sure you factor in that cost as well.
It is possible to factor how much each cupcake will cost, but it's a lot of math. How much for the ingredients. How much did you use in the recipe? Then divide by however many you make.
Thanks! Yeah, I was actually thinking about $2 each. But I need to factor in the fact that I'm making 2-4 different fillings, and 1-2 kinds of frosting so that means even more ingredients. Plus I'll need to buy some kind of cupcake decorations... Thanks for the tip about the ingredient costs'. Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteMaybe $2 for regular and $2.50 for filled?
ReplyDeleteThey're all going to be filled, haha. She decided on the raspberry and banana fillings with vanilla buttercream frosting. Thanks for the idea for the banana! Should I just keep receipts of what I spend on the decorations and charge her accordingly for that?
ReplyDeleteYes keep the receipts, but I would factor it in to the overall price more so than charge her for the decorations separate. To me, toppers are included in the price. Like if you spent 1.99 on 24 toppers (2.11 with tax), that is .09 per topper. At that point, it's just included in the price. If I'm ordering cupcakes, I expect toppings (whether it's sprinkles, little fondant flower, whatever) to be included.
ReplyDeleteNow if she is really specific, like she wants baby rubber duckies, that is going to cost a little more. If you spend say $5 on 12 ducks (5.30 tax), that is .44 per duck. Maybe at that point, explain that the cupcakes will be $2.50 but since the decorations are whatever, they will be $3.00. So play it smart and don't cheat yourself!
What I mean by paper toppers (but think blue or pink for babies) - https://www.google.com/search?q=paper+cupcake+toppers&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=g2Z&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=xuQhT_vCBs3sggf157iFCQ&ved=0CJABELAE&biw=1280&bih=637
I'm not sure what your computer talents are like, but it is possible to make your own and print them on cardstock. I did that for a friend's birthday once of her favorite actor.
Oh and word of advice - make a contract and have her sign it. I know a cake decorator through work, and she agreed to make this (expensive) wedding cake. She was a friend of the family, so they didn't have an official contract. Well a few days before the wedding (after buying all the supplies), things changed. I can't remember if she changed the design or canceled the cake, but she lost a ton of money on it. It was bad. They didn't even go to the wedding as guests (since it was a family friend).
The most important thing is to get it in writing. Send her an invoice and make her sign it. Even if it's just a Word document, have the date she wants the cupcakes, specify the flavors and fillings, how many, how much you are charging, and something along the lines of "You have until one week before the event to change your order. If you change it after, additional fees may apply." (I can't figure out how to word it right now, but you get the point). When it comes to business, never take someone's word for it without having it in writing (even emailing back and forth will count since it's written documentation, but of course an invoice with a signature makes a better case).
Not that I expect anything to happen where you get cheated and have to fight it with lawyers, but I've done some freelancing with video, and trust me. You want a contract when you are doing any type of business.
Another thing to think about - when to receive payment. I don't have any advice on this, but either ask for a down payment (if it's a big order, like $50 or more) or ask for the money at the event, but I wouldn't hand over the cupcakes without leaving with the money. Maybe you can put that in the contract too "Payment must be completed before receiving the order." I wouldn't accept checks unless you know the person. Or if it's for a huge amount, like $100+. Hey you'll never know when you are asked to make that many cupcakes ;)
Can you tell I want to start a business? Lol
I should proofread more often haha in my last paragraph when I said I don't have any advice, it's more of I don't have any experience because obviously I am giving you advice..
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks Carla! You have been BEYOND helpful, I can't thank you enough! Those are all great ideas and I'll definitely be referring back to this page to make sure I'm doing everything right, haha! You're awesome!!
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