The Business of Cake Making Podcast

On this weeks episode we are talking all about Bake Diary and it's demise. Sammie has always been a huge fan and is now looking for a new app to use. Here she talk about the research she has done to swap to something different. We are also taking Questions from our listeners and answering them as best we can. We talk about everything from bulging cakes, to cream cheese frosting, to Paperwork for your food hygiene inspection. Don't forget to send us you suggestions for The Friday Afternoon  Bakelist - listen along here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3U3mVw08Wakd5bODeaLxEq?si=8ZXmBDS4TEO6dPEsiLCdKA Join The Baking Club here: https://daisycakeandco.com/membership-levels-2/ And listen to a Bigger Slice of the Podcast over on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week both Sammie and Bronya were inspected for their Food Safety by the Environmental Health Department. They chat all about it on this weeks podcast - what they did before hand, what they were asked, what the EHO looked at etc. For the Bigger Slice Episode head over to patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership   For a free Month in The Baking Club visit here: https://mailchi.mp/daisycakeandco/y1bwe0xick

Today we catch up on Sammie's new venture - her Waffle Horsebox. She talks us through everything that's been going on recently as she progresses with her plans. If you want to follow her on Instagram you can do so at https://instagram.com/waffleygoodevents If you want to hear more including Product of the Week and Top Tip head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheBusinessofCakeMakingPodcast

Apologies for the sound quality in this podcast. We, unfortunately, had very intermittent internet reception which effected the recording. This week we return with more Baking Hints and Tips. Last episode we re-released an episode from 4 years ago. We have learnt and grown a lot since then, and are coming back with new and updated hints and tips for you. If you would like to listen to a Bigger Slice over on Patreon follow this link: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week we are re-releasing an old episode. We decided we wanted to do an updated episode of baking hints and tips, and in the process listened back to Episode 29. We both enjoyed it so much, and know you can't get hold of it on Spotify anymore, that we thought a re-release was needed. Our updated episode will be released next week. For access to our Patreon Episodes follow the link: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week, after a little chat and catch up, we are talking abut ways that you can be more productive without too much effort. There are times when it all seems like a little bit too much like hard work, so listen to some of hints and tips to make your baking and business life a little easier. To sign up to The Baking Club with the discount code WAITLIST00 before March 31st for a month free follow this link: https://daisycakeandco.com/membership-levels-2/ Sign up to a Bigger Slice on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast

This week Bronya and Sammie chat to Cake Business Coach, Kate Tynan.  After being a successful cake maker in her own right, Kate has now moved onto helping other cake businesses to thrive. In this episode we chat through everything from how The Cake Business Club works, to pricing and salaries, to her new Foundations course, competition and awards and so much more in between. For more information about her Foundations course click here: https://thecakebusinessclub.myflodesk.com/foundations The Cake Business Club: https://www.thecakebusinessclub.co.uk/ The Cake Business Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecakebusi nessclub/ To listen to our Patreon episode, The Bigger Slice, head to: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBusinessofCakeMakingPodcast

This week Bronya and Sammie celebrate International Women's Day by highlighting some amazing women in the Baking and Cake industry. To here the full episode on Patreon follow the link: https://www.patreon.com/TheBusinessofCakeMakingPodcast   The Baking Club Waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/a9021b33d2af/the-baking-club-waitlist   Nadiya Hussain: https://www.instagram.com/nadiyajhussain/   Kitty Tait https://www.instagram.com/kittytaitbaker/ https://www.instagram.com/the_orangebakery/ https://www.instagram.com/breaducating.britain/ https://www.breaducatingbritain.com/ https://glutenmorning.substack.com/   Luminary Bakery https://luminarybakery.com/ https://www.instagram.com/luminarybakery/   Molly Robbins https://www.instagram.com/mollymakescakes/ https://mollymakescakes.co.uk/ https://www.mollyscreaturecreator.com/   Sylvia Weinstock https://www.instagram.com/sylviaweinstock

This week's episode is with Carol from Cakes by Carol.   Bronya and Sammie have met Carol a few times and have wanted to get her on the podcast for a while.   Carol has been in the business for a while, is the mastermind behind The Straight Edge Smoother, and has a thriving community of cake makers all supporting one another.   Hang around after the music to hear when Bronya and Sammie realised who Sammie was looking like this week.   For extra info about her community as well as our Product of the Week, and Top Tip, head over to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership   To follow Cakes by Carol head to: https://www.cakesbycarol.org.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/cakesbycarol/

This week Sammie and Bronya are chatting about their favourite Instagram Accounts. From accounts to less than 2k followers, to those with a couple of million, they describe who they follow and why they follow them. In this Bigger Slice episode over on Patreon they also chat about how to get your feed back to showing you what you really want to see. There are also 2 bonus Instagram accounts to follow as well as the Product of the Week and Top Tip. To get the Bigger Slice Episode join here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership Instagram Accounts Mentions: @mattadlard @thepurplecupcake_ @cakeinnovations @minetterushingcakes @lenniescakes @servingcakebristol @cbcakedesign @jessicasalecakedesign @yolanda_gampp @numberninecakedesign

This week Bronya and Sammie review their favourite books.  From cake decorating books, to cookbooks, to business books, these are our go to books. Bronya reviews: Sift by Nicola Lamb The Kew Book of Sugar Flowers by Cassie Brown The Digital Marketing Handbook by Alice Benham Sammie Reviews: The Art of Royal Icing by Eddie Spence Book One: Sugar Flowers and Book 1 1/2 Colour by Natalie Porter In the Patreon Bigger Slice Bronya reviews the Get Baked Cook Book by Rick Myers, and Sammie reviews Start a Cake Business from Home by Alison Mcnicol. To listen to a Bigger Slice, sign up with 7 days free here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership    

This week we are chatting about our top 10 and bottom 10 cakes to bake. Why we like to bake them. How they fit into baking for business. And which ones we love to eat! We'd love to hear your top and bottom bakes, please let us know! We've also got some interesting discussion points about how to bake sustainably, and seasonally. If you'd like to listen to a Bigger Slice on Patreon sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week Bronya and Sammie are talking trends in 2025. But they're not doing the usual, what's in and what's out. They're looking at other ways to sell your bakes and what bakes to sell, and how they see that going in 2025. They talk about viral bakeries, mail order, shop fronts etc. They do, however, talk about what's and what's out in the Bigger Slice over on Patreon. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This episode was recorded before Christmas, but the sentiment is still the same. Happy New Year!! It has become traditional the Sammie and Bronya review their goals for the previous year and set new ones for the coming year. In this episode they go back over what happened for them in 2024. There were some hits and some misses. Listen to see if they think they thought 2024 was a good year for them. They also chat about what they want to get done in 2025. there are lots of new things ahead in both of their businesses. Listen to see what's in store. If you want to listen to Sammie's Product of the Year, and Bronya's Tip for 2025 head over to our Patreon Membership. There is a free 7 day trial available: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

Here to wish you a very Merry Christmas, If you would like to sign up to our Patreon Membership and get a Bigger Slice Episode you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

In this weeks episode we are chatting to our podcast pal Natalie Stanton. Natalie is a Chartered Environmental Health Officer. We chat about her 2 courses Level 2 and Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene in Catering. We also asked you, the listener, to submit your questions, which we put to Natalie. It's always great to have her on the Podcast and get the facts from a real life EHO! For the extra Bugger Slice Episode head over to Patreon to sign up for our monthly membership: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week we are at The Cake and bake Show. We interviewed Matty Edgell (GBBO 2023 winner), Farley Berry from Lady Berry Cupcakes, Eric Lanlard, KitchenAid, Amy from Sweet Stamps and David from The Happy Pear. It was a great show this year with lots to see on the demonstration stages - including us!! If you would like to listen to The Bigger Slice of the episode sign up to our Patreon membership: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership  

This week we are chatting about Bronya's Cake Shed. She talks about what a Cake Shed is and how it's transformed her business. The Cake Shed is an honesty box attached to the side of her house. She talks about why its such a refreshing change from other things she's done in her business. She has recently launched a 'Start Your Own Cake Shed' course and chats all about what's in the course and where to find it. If you want to listen to more sign up to A Bigger Slice over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week we are chatting about getting your cake business ready for Christmas. Christmas is a busy time already, so how can you make things easier with your business. We chat about everything from planning your supplies, social media, marketing and scheduling. If you want to listen to the extended episode 'A Bigger Slice' become a member at: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership In The Bigger Slice we also talk about whether you should charge extra over christmas. Sammie brings you a Product of the Week, and Bronya presents a Tip of the Week. We also catch up with Sammie's trip around Europe.

This week we are catching up with Sammie and all the things she ate whilst she was travelling in Europe. This episode also includes a great interview with Emma from Madame Spoons.  

This week we are at the 2024 Cake International. It's the shows 30th anniversary and it did not disappoint.   Below are the time codes for each interview if you want to skip to anyone in particular. However, we recommend sitting back and taking in everyone we chatted to.   2.23 - Natalie Porter, Immaculate Confections 6.50 - Karen Davies 12.21 - Dummies Direct 15.17 - Cakes by Carol 22.09 - Emma Jayne Cake Design on Elizabeth 1st 28.25 - Renshaw 34.47 Suzanne Thorpe, The Frostery 41.15 - Sandra Farmhouse 44.04 - Jenny Chambers, Sugar Screams 53.56 - Miriam Pearson, Sweet Creations 56.46 - Christina Georgiou, Tasteful Cakes 1.01.10 - Molly Robbins 1.06.28 - Emily Hankins

We are having a few weeks off, whilst Sammie is travelling around Europe. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Sammie's Choices - Running a Cake Business from Home. In this episode we talk about the practicalities of running a cake business from home. Running your own business is hard enough - running a cake business can be next level with the amount of space that is needed. Sammie and Bronya talk about their experiences and how they make their working lives easier by  being organised, setting a routine and most importantly helping their families understand the pressures on them and their work.

We are having a few weeks off, whilst Sammie is travelling around Europe. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Sammie's Choices - Eric Lanlard This week Bronya and Sammie are very excited to speak to world renowned patissier Eric Lanlard. After baking in the French Navy he came to London to learn English and never left.  He has many TV appearances to his name, as well as 8 books, and regularly teaches at his South London Boutique Bakery and School, Cake Boy. He is still very passionate about his craft and is always looking for new and exciting flavours. We chat to him ahead of his appearance at the Cake and Bake Show at The Ideal Home Show Christmas. Buy your tickets to the 2024 show by following the link below https://cakeandbake.seetickets.com/tour/cake-bake-show?OfferCode=CABCAKEMAKERS

We are having a few weeks off, whilst Sammie is travelling around Europe. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Sammie's Choices - Google Analytics 4 (GA4) This episode is NOT our strong point, but we have tried to tackle it anyway. We are talking Google Analytics Today! As a cake maker what are the analytics you need to look at and how do you get there?  Google Analytics changed from Universal Analytics to GA4 on July 1st, 2023. So what do you need to be doing to get the best out of your website.

We are having a few weeks off, whilst Sammie is travelling around Europe. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Bronya's Choices - The Ultimate Guide to Putting Flowers on Cakes.  It's a topic that we are all a bit fuzzy around the edges on, so we went straight to the experts and got our information from the Food Standards Agency! The email we got back was from @food.gov.uk - you can't get much more official than that! Who's responsibility is it if you get given a toxic flower from a florist? Who responsibility is it to put the flowers on the cake correctly? What happens if you do it wrong? How do you do it right?  Also, rumour has it that there is a food safe florist tape on the market - we investigate. This is a crucial episode for anyone adding fresh flowers to their cakes!

We are having a few weeks off, whilst Sammie is travelling around Europe. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Sammie's choices, and she brings you Maddy Shine, the Visibility Queen. Getting discovered by your customers always feels so hard. Maddy chats about how and what we should be putting out on our marketing, and encourages us to be authentically us. So many tips, so much information, and so much enthusiasm, you're gonna love her!  

We are having a few weeks off. Sammie is travelling around Europe, and Bronya is having a couple of weeks in Scotland. We thought it would be the perfect time to dip back into our back catalogue, which after 4 and a half years is quite extensive. This week is one of Bronya's choices, and she brings you the most recent episode that we'll be re-listening to from this time last year. Cake International is an important event in the cake calendar and we were delighted to have Organiser, Melanie Underwood, and Head Judge, David Close on just a couple of weeks before last years Show. This is a fascinating episode with so many hints, tips and behind the scenes insights.

This is the last in our 6 part mini series bout Cake Business Fundamentals. This week we chat about the journey you take your customer on from when they first find you to when you deliver their cake. How so you communicate with them, what language do you use, how do you manage their expectations and do you follow up after they've had their cake. We will now be taking a 2 week break.

This is the penultimate episode of this 6 part series on Cake Business Fundamentals. This week Bronya and Sammie chat about Branding and Marketing in your cake business. They talk about the breadth of both topics and how they both very closely relate to your ideal client.   There are also 2 great top tips this week!

We continue our Cake Business Fundamentals Series with Part 4 all about pricing and financials. We talk about paying yourself a decent wage, deciding on your profit margin, Making sure you put money away for tax and national insurance, as well as taking deposits and family and friends discounts. This is a very important subject that so many people shy away from. Don't it's why you're in business!

This week we continue our series on cake business fundamentals with Ideal Client. Who are you selling to? And why being specific with your ideal client is incredibly important if you want to be making the cakes you love for the price you need to be charging. For more information on Niche Market and  Ideal Client take a look at our Audio Workshop with workbook: https://daisycakeandco.com/product/aw1-niche-market-and-ideal-client/

This week we continue with our 6 part series about Cake Business Fundamentals with finding your Niche.  Having a Niche and really leaning into it will bring you confidence and custom as you will be seen as the expert. We chat about what your niche can be, what niche's we've had mistakes we've made by not having one. Next week in Part 3 of our series we chat about Ideal Client.

This week we start a 6 week series on Cake Business Fundamentals. These are the things that will set you up for success in your business. They provide focus and direction and help you to keep your business on track. This week we are chatting about having a Business Plan. We're not talking the scary type you take to a bank manager with graphs and pie charts. We're talking about a clear plan with defined goals for you to follow for business success. Next week we'll be honing in on Niche Market.  https://daisycakeandco.com

This week we do our irregular feature where we answer your questions. We have all kinds of questions from baking brownies, to wedding fairs, to getting your home kitchen registered. This is the last episode for a couple of weeks. We will be back on July 29th 2024.

In this episode Bronya and Sammie chat about feat of success. Obviously, this isn't something people plan on having, as when you go into business, you plan to succeed. But the human brain is a dark and foreboding place and can  sometimes develop irrational fears.  The fear of success can be debilitating and cause self sabotage or procrastination to set in.  We chat about our experience with fear of success, and talk about how we and others have overcome it.

Following Bronya's recent success on Instagram, this episode is all about marketing on Social Media. We chat about when and what to post, and the things that's Bronya has found successful when posting about her cake business on Instagram. She talks about the algorithms, the times to post, why you may not be getting engagement and what happens to your reach when you don't get engagement. Follow Bronya on instagram at @DaisyCakeCo, and follow the podcast at @TheBusinessofCakeMaking

We are very excited to be chatting to Marketing Expert, and soon to be published author, Alice Benham. Alice talks about marketing in a way that is straight to the point, but not intimidating. She understand small businesses need to move forward and in our chat she talks about what a marketing strategy is but how it's not a scary business thing. She talks about, in her words, taking messy action. Alice also talks about her book, The Digital marketing Handbook, which is published June 20th - this coming Thursday. 

This week we revisit a topic we did back in Episode 28 - Time Management. things have moved on a lot in the world since we last talked about this and we have got better at planning our time. We talk about planning, preparation, boundaries, routines, distractions and being tidy.  

This week we are talking about how to SAY NO!! Cake Makers, as a group, are notoriously bad at saying no. We chat about why you should say no, when to say no, and how to say no. Saying no is empowering and will definitely reduce the stress levels in your cake business.  

Today we chat to Suzanne Esper - or we should say Doctor Suzanne Esper! Scientist and highly acclaimed cake maker and teacher - hear how she changed her life, pivoted her business to make it right for her, and what she is doing now. It was such a wonderful chat it could have lasted for hours. Also, listen out for the competition she has set for our listeners.

This week we chat about our favourite apps to use in our Cake Business. #From graphics, to videos and photography, to finance and taxes there is an app for everything. Here are our top 10.

Summer is coming and for cake makers it's often the busiest tie of the year. Are you ready? In this weeks episode we chat about preparing for summer, going to fair, markets and festivals and fitting all that in around your usual baking schedule. We share hints and tips about how we've done markets in the past and what we've learnt along the way.

This week we tackle the subject of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity within your cake business. Many of us are sole traders who aren't sure how we can address this topic in our businesses. Just because we don't employ anyone, doesn't mean we shouldn't be thinking about it. Martin talks us through what it means to be inclusive and how we can show our customers we are taking things seriously. He mentions a calendar at the end, and as promised here is the link: https://www.gottabeethnic.co.uk/resources/2024-ethnic-calendar/

This week we are tackling a subject that often trips us up. And to prove a point we did get a little confused but get it all sorted in the end! We talk about Revenue, Gross Profit, Net Profit, Break Even Cash Flow and many many more. These are all terms that big businesses use, and often confuse us as smaller business owners. In this episode we relate all these terms back to running a small cake business.

This week we are chatting about the different Sales Models there are for your business. These can include 'on demand' such as bespoke cakes and 'stock holding' such as fairs and markets. Hear how we've done a bit of both. Find out the Pros and Cons and which ways we prefer to sell our cakes. We also have an update of the proposed Guidelines for attaching Fresh Flowers to cakes from the FSA. This podcast is available to view on YouTube

This week it's Easter Monday, and the clocks have just changed so the world is a bit snoozy! We have just and 2 weeks off the podcast and have been super busy. Therefore we catch-up and fill you in on all the things that have been going on. Back to normal transmission next week. Find this episode as it was broadcast LIVE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/8rEU_2kzJdA?si=GqkBu8Lt8c9iiFjD  

Sorry - sadly we have no episode today but we will be back in a couple of weeks. Have a great Easter and see you soon.

We love a good Q&A and this week that's what we've recorded!! We asked the listener for their questions. They are a mix of cake business queries, questions about our cake businesses, questions about what we've learnt and how we work together.

This week we chat about being yourself and why it's important in your cake business. In the week when Iris Apfel passed away, a lady who was 100% herself and nothing else, we use her as inspiration as to why you should follow in her footsteps. Being yourself in business will keep your creativity fresh, will help from becoming burnt out, will attract your ideal client and will generally make your business more sustainable.

This week Bronya and Sammie chat about doing a business audit. Are you doing things in your business because you've always done it that way, or have you thought that there may be another more efficient or cheaper way? Bronya and Sammie chat about some of the practices you can audit to check your running your business as efficiently as possible.

This week Sammie quizzes Bronya about Styled Photoshoots. Sammie is arranging a photoshoot for her cake business and other sustainably friendly wedding suppliers. Bronya has attended and been a part of many (over 15) photoshoots. Today they chat about what they entail and how they can benefit your business.