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 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.

This week we bring you the guest that every cake maker running a business wants to chat too.....The Safety Expert, Natalie Stanton.  Natalie is a former EHO and a Chartered Food Safety Expert. We ask her as many food safety questions as we could fit into 1 episode. We talk about hand washing sinks, fridge temperatures, pets, certificates and much more. Let's face it, if you're not a cake maker you probably won't understand our excitement.

This week we've mixed it up a bit by having the guest at the end of the episode - all will become apparent when you listen. We chat about Seasonal Baking, specifically Valentines, Mothers Days and Easter. We are then joined by Eric from the cake supplies wholesale business, Cake Craft Group. We hear insights as to how they plan their products, new products that are coming in and a special Guest Product of the Week! This is our last episode for 2 weeks.

This week Bronya and Sammie are delighted to chat with Cassie Brown this week. Cassie started her cake career when she was young at The British Sugarcraft Guild. She is now a flower and airbrush expert who is a teacher, published author and has many videos on YouTube. For more episodes visit https://daisycakeandco.com/the-business-of-cake-making-podcast-player/ This episode is also available to watch on YouTube

This week Bronya and Sammie chat to the wonderful Keith Barron from the 2023 Season of the Great British Bake Off. He share his experience of the interview and audition process, what it was like meeting Prue and Paul and how his life has changed since being on the show.

Happy New Year for 2024!! This episode is all about Goal Setting for the new year. We are reviewing the goals we set last year. What we achieved, what we didn't achieve and why? We are then setting Goals for 2024 to make ourselves accountable.

This is our final episode of the 2023. We are chatting all about planning our social media content. We are well know for being a bit rubbish on Social Media, so we are chatting about our Social Media Goals and plans for 2024. Come back in a couple of months to find out how we got on!

This week Bronya and Sammie are chatting to 2023 Bake International, Best in Show winner Miriam Pearson. Not only did she win Bake International Best in Show, she also won gold for her flower entry for Cake International. Hear how she designed her pieces, transported them from Ireland and set them up on the black table clothes in Birmingham.

This week we have a 2 part episode. Bronya and Sammie had a ball at the Cake and Bake Show and were tucked away in the Press Office where they chatted to lots of wonderful cake and baking friends.  Listen to Part 1 straight before this to hear more from the Cake and Bake Show 2023. Below are the timecodes for Part 2 so you can jump straight to your fave guest if you'd like. Cake and Bake Show 2023 Part 2 00.00.55 Isabelle, Zaza Marcelle Cakes 00.14.34 The Ingredients Bar 00.17.09 Jane Ushbrook 00.29.22 Molly Robbins 00.43.23 Richard from Wright’s Baking 00.46.56 Christina Georgiou, Tasteful Cakes 01.05.12 Cake and Bake Show Round-up  

This week we have a 2 part episode. Bronya and Sammie had a ball at the Cake and Bake Show and were tucked away in the Press Office where they chatted to lots of wonderful cake and baking friends.  Listen to Part 2 straight after this to hear more from the Cake and Bake Show 2023. Below are the timecodes for Part 1 so you can jump straight to your fave guest if you'd like. Cake and Bake Show 2023 Part 1 00.02.11 Eric Lanlard 00.11.19 Lisa Marley 00.15.22 Em’s Bakehouse 00.19.47 Cherish Finden 00.25.17 Kendra Groves, Wildchild Cakes 00.37.39 LissieLou 00.47.10 Natalie Stanton, The Safety Expert

This week Bronya and Sammie are podcasting from Cake International 2023.  Timecodes for the following features: 00.06.45 Cakes by Carol 00.11.15 British Sugarcraft Guild 00.14.39 David Brice from CakeFlix 00.19.19 Cassie Brown 00.23.33 Christina Giorgiou from Tasteful Cakes 00.30.34 Emma Jayne Cake Design 00.36.41 Fractal Colours 00.40.19 Inspired by Gabrielle Coco Chanel with Mish Pattinson 00.50.41 Emily Hankins on Inspired by Gabrielle Coco Chanel 00.56.09 Noreen from Katie Sue Designs 01.00.11 Natalie Porter from Immaculate Confections 01.03.45 Zoe from Zoe's Fancy Cakes 01.06.18 Paul Bradford Demonstration on the Colour Mill Stage 01.07.25 Shelley from Devon Maid Cakes 01.09.33 Sam from Sugarcraft Junkies with Gwen talking about their collaboration competition piece 01.12.35 Our thoughts and favourites from the competition

Sammie and Bronya have been to Cake International. This episode is short and sweet whilst they grab a coffee in Birmingham. Sammie chats all about entering this year and how her prep went. And they chat about a few of the products they've bought. A fell episode with interviews and observations will be available next week.

This week Bronya and Sammie are chatting through their cake decorating processes. They have been baking and making cakes for a long time and have developed their techniques through wisdom, experience and making lots of mistakes. Listen and learn as they share their secrets to decorating in the easiest and stress free way.

This week Bronya and Sammie are excited to chat to Cake International Organiser Melanie Underwood, and Head Judge David Close. They chatted about all things Cake International, from how the show started, to competing, how the judges are put through rigorous training, to how feedback is given, and all the features that will be at the 2023 Birmingham Show in a couple of weeks. Bronya and Sammie will also be there with Microphones, so if you see them tap them on the shoulder and say hi!

What is a policy and why should you have them? Policies are there to set out your business operations. Together they are your values, principles and mission statement. Bronya and Sammie discuss the policies they have in their businesses and where they are written. Some are in their terms and Conditions, others are verbal, and others are in their marketing. From pricing policies, payments policies, returns policies, friends and family policies, sustainability policies and everything in between. Listen to how you can introduce different policies to your business to get a clear understanding between you and your clients.

This week we are celebrating our 100th episode, with not 1 but 3 guests!! We invited you, our listener, to write in or even come onto the podcast. We have had an amazing 100 episodes and wanted to celebrate with you and your businesses. Thank you for sticking with us and listening for 100 long episodes. We look forward t the next 100!!