The Business of Cake Making Podcast (thebusinessofcakemaking)

Back in May 2020 we released episode 5 all about cake consultations. The world has changed hugely since then so we thought we should do an update episode about what we do now, post-covid.

Sammie and Bronya chat through their process of consultation, design and booking, including supplying sample boxes and whether they invite clients to their houses or not.

Next episode is episode 100 and we want to hear from you. Voice note us, message us, come and chat. We want to celebrate you and your business while we celebrate ours!

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 changes for Universal Analytics to GA4 in July 1st. So what do you need to be doing to get the best out of your website.

For anyone who's finding it a little confusing, this episode will be made into a blog post. Join our mailing list to be informed of when the post is live on our website: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j7z9q9

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 Sammie and Bronya chat about how you can use you cake making skills to make money in other ways.

You have skills that people want, and that doesn't always include making wedding or birthday cakes. What else can you do in your business?

In this episode we are delighted to chat with Kate Tynan, founder of The Cake Business Club. We touch on all the business basics as well as talk about pricing, confidence and social media.

If you would like to join Kate's free Facebook group you can here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3106920142867780

For more Podcast Episodes or to check out our blog visit: http://daisycakecompany.co.uk/

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 is a super quick episode this week because Sammie it off having fun somewhere Greek and gorgeous.

Bronya is talking you through a few affirmations that can help in your cake business. Running a business is hard and we should all look after ourselves. Affirmations are a way we can be kind to ourselves and positively move our businesses forward.

Back to normal next week, see you then.

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

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!

Happy New Year!

We're starting the new year with an episode on Learning and Courses. 

The New Year is a time when we evaluate our business and set goals. At this time we may realise that we are lacking knowledge in some areas that would be beneficial. In this episode we chat about the courses we have done, why we did those at that particular point in our businesses, and how we chose the ones we did.

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.

For more information go to https://www.thebusinessofcakemaking.co.uk

This episode Sammie and Bronya discuss setting Goals and Intentions in 2023. Listen as they chat about what intentions they have for the coming year and what they've learnt about how to set goals since being in business.

This week Bronya and Sammie chat through the cake trends we're seeing for 2023. From Comic 2 D cakes to tall structural wedding cakes, from colours to flavours, they chat through everything they se as being popular this year.

They also explain what to do if a trends isn't your 'thing' and how to make them commercially viable so you're not out of pocket.

Also, the cake maker that uses stencils that Sammie couldn't remember the name of is Angela Morrison!

Visit the blog for more cake maker business information and recipes: https://www.daisycakecompany.co.uk

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.

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

This episode Sammie and Bronya chat about Routines. We know, it may sound a bit boring, but it's good to have routines in your life! They are good for your mental health, for your stress levels and they help to keep your business on track.

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 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 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 episode Bronya and Sammie chat to Michelle from the Sustainable Wedding Alliance. 

This episode is very long overdue, but Michelle is fantastic to chat too about being more sustainable in your business.

She chats about the Sustainable Wedding Awards and the Sustainable Wedding Alliance Summit, as well as giving great hints and tips for your business.

Useful Links:

Membership info: https://sustainableweddingalliance.com/membership/

Scholarship info: https://sustainableweddingalliance.com/membership/scholarship/

Conscious Vault - Sustainable business blog: https://sustainableweddingalliance.com/for-businesses/

Conscious Couples page (that also includes the member directory): https://sustainableweddingalliance.com/for-conscious-couples/

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.

We are inviting back one of our first ever guests to the podcast this wee - Rachel Emma Waring.

Rachel is a Creative Consultant and an expert in Content Marketing. Bronya has often raved about her and her work, so we are delighted to get her on to chat about the great things you can do with your content.

From tips with video, finding your style and bringing joy to your content, Rachel is here to help.

For more information go to https://www.rachelemmawaring.com/

For more about The Business of Cake Making go to https://daisycakecompany.co.uk/

We're back this week with another great guest. 

We first met Christina at the Cake and Bake Show last year, and then Sammie went to one of her classes and we said we just had to get her on for a chat.

She talks about how she got into cake making, and more importantly model making. She is passionate about her art and believes that everyone can and should be able to make models.

Hear about all the new things she's got coming up.

Today we interview Enrique from Have Some Cake. After listening to one of our episodes after Bronya said his work 'wasn't romantic' he proved her wrong with an instagram post with some of the most beautifully romantic cakes you've ever seen. However, his cakes are not 'classically' romantic. He describes his style as anti-romantic. 

His cake are striking, structural, flowing and organic all at the same time. He explains his background and how he developed his style. He tells us about is favourite flavours. He also tells us about the classes he'll be teaching this year.

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.

We return after out 2 week break with an IN PERSON interview with Rob from Mr Baker's Cake School.

Rob invited us to his stunning school in Fareham in Hampshire and we sat and talked about how he got into the business and how his cake career has developed to owning and running his own school.

He's had an interesting journey, different from most cake makers, which with a lot of hard work has got him to where he is today.

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 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

We are THREE!! And so are The Sugarcraft Junkies. 

In this, slightly chaotic, episode we chat with Sam and Erica of The Sugarcraft Junkies about having a podcast and what it's taught us. It's a slight move away from the usual episode, with a lot of laughs and a lot of fun - just like a birthday party should be!!

This is part 2 of a 2 part collaboration - Part 1 can be found at The Sugarcraft Junkies: https://shows.acast.com/the-sugarcraft-junkies/episodes/happy-3rd-birthday-to-us-with-the-business-of-cake-making

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 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

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 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 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.

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 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!

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 Episode, Bronya and Sammie finally tackle branding with Aiza from Studio Coya.

Aiza is an expert in branding food businesses, so was the perfect person to chat too. They talk about everything from the foundations of Brand Strategy to what your clients see with your visuals.

It's taken a while for us to get here, but we're pleased we finally did. Branding is such an important part of your business and this is a great episode to get your started.

Sorry, due to a family bereavement there is no episode today - 22.5.23.

Be back next week

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 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!!

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

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.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thebusinessofcakemakingpodcast/membership

This week we are talking about a very big subject - should you get Premises for your cake business?

Having a little cake shop is a lot of peoples dream, as it was for Bronya. Although she no longer has her shop she, did have one for nearly 5 years and she definitely has the experience and knowledge to be able to talk about it and give you lots of information.

Bronya and Sammie chat about everything from havning staff, the legal requirements, expenses and generally what to expect from life when running a cake shop.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Today we chat to Brette, from Hobblecreek Cake Company and The Out of Home Baker about how she changed her mindset around money to really charge her value and worth.

Brette decided to become the resource that she never had when she was starting her cake business, and she now coaches people to price their cakes correctly - and it's not just about the numbers. Hear how she talks about being able to serve your customers well, whilst still making a good living.

Also, listen to the story around the delivery of her most expensive cake to date - which she took up a mountain!

Get a special listener discount to her Pricing Masterclass by quoting BCM15 when you check out.

https://theoutofhomebaker.gumroad.com/l/uroig?_gl=1*dcxjqt*_ga*NTQzMDE2OTQyLjE2NTUyNjUwMzE.*_ga_6LJN6D94N6*MTY2NDIxODk3NS4yNi4xLjE2NjQyMTg5ODAuMC4wLjA.

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 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 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.

This year Bronya and Sammie were privileged to be invited to podcast live from the Cake and Bake Show. Held over 3 days they interviewed loads of guests. These are the Guests from Day 1

It was a busy and noisy show, and they have done their best in the edit to muffle some of the background noise. If you wish to jump to a specific interview just follow the time codes below:

2min, 30secs - Richard, Wrights Flour 15min, 05secs - Rosemary Schrager 27min, 55secs - Christine Jenson, Black Box Cakes 55min, 55secs - Karen Davies Sugarcraft 1hr, 0min, 45secs - Cherish Finden 1hr, 14min, 0secs - Britt Box, She Who Bakes 1hr, 29min, 54secs - Julian, Plamil Chocolate 1hr, 45min, 49secs - Rosie Cake Diva 2hr, 02min, 55secs - Natasha, No Cakes R Better and Bakeulator 2hr, 14min, 05secs - Guy, DTM Print

https://www.thecakeandbakeshow.co.uk/

This week we're chatting about making cakes. Specifically, what happens once the cake has come out of the oven and we're ready to fill and decorate.

We chat about everything from ganache, buttercream, using a dam, centre dowels and we have a long chat about flowers.

Visit our blog for more baking and cake decorating tips: https://daisycakecompany.co.uk/the-business-of-cake-making-podcast-player/

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

For 2 totally un-technically minded people, Bronya and Sammie did a good attempt about using AI in your cake business. It's a rollercoaster but keep with it.

AI isn't going anywhere soon, and there are actually lots of tools that can help you in business. Sammie tried loads, Bronya tried a few, and here are their opinions of what was good and what was bad.

This week we are talking about putting fresh 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!

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 episode we are chatting to SEO and Visibility Queen, Maddy Shine. 

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!

If you want to grab her amazing 'Does Google Know I Exist?', follow the link below:

https://maddyshine.co.uk/does-google-know-i-exist/ 

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.

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 week we are answering your questions. Questions asked on Instagram, Facebook and Emails are all answered as honestly as we can.

If you ever have a question for us please send it over. We will be doing a Q&A every 6 months.

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

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.

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 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 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.

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/

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

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!

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/

In this episode Bronya and Sammie chat about things that could make your life easier in your cake business. From knowing how to make buttermilk if you haven't bought it, to using Google Maps to see where the traffic jams are on your delivery route. We've been in this business a long time and have learnt a lot of tricks to make our lives quicker and less stressed. These are the things that if you don't know them, who is going to tell you? Us, that's who!!

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.

In the last couple of weeks Bronya has done a 180 on her decision to stop making client cakes. In this episode we discuss why she's made this decision and what she is having to do to become a Cake Business again.

This is the last episode on this 6 week series. See you in a couple of weeks.

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 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, 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 talk about why you shouldn't be scared to put your prices out there. 

They talk about how it will save you time, how it will position you in the market and how it will help to make you value yourself.

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

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 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!

This episode is long....that's because we've done a LOT of things wrong and learnt a lot of lessons!

This is out 3rd anniversary episode. When we started we wanted to bring you a podcast to help you in your business so you don't make the same mistakes we did. So this is very definitely a full circle of learning from our mistakes.

We chat about the small stuff to the big stuff. The nightmares we've had and the things we've learnt from them. Lot's of scary flashbacks later, we hope we can help you on your cake business journey

To finish the year we are doing something slightly different this episode. Wwe are doing reviews of the products we've been sent over the past year. Listen to what we thought of them, where you can get them, and if we'd buy them again. Products include: Magic Sparkles, Karen Davies Sugarcraft Marshmallow Fondant, Wright's Flour Cake Mixes, Plamil For Professionals Chocolate, Sugar Valley Stencils, Magic Colours Choco Colours and Magin Icing, Sprinkles from CAke Craft by Charlotte and May, and Cherries by Luxardo.

Thank you for listening this year. We'll be back on Jan 9th 2023.

This year Bronya and Sammie were privileged to be invited to podcast live from the Cake and Bake Show. Held over 3 days they interviewed loads of guests. These are the Guests from Day 3

It was a busy and noisy show, and they have done their best in the edit to muffle some of the background noise. If you wish to jump to a specific interview just follow the time codes below:

4mins, 19secs - Chigs Palmer, GBBO 18mins, 55secs - Freya Cox, GBBO 28mins, 43secs - Paul A Young 46mins, 25secs - Paul Wayne Gregory 58mins, 37secs - Christina, Tasteful Cakes 1hr, 09mins, 05secs - Holly Stringer, Visiting Member of the Public 1hr, 10mins, 39secs - Product of the Day 1hr, 17mins, 10secs - Jemma Melvin 1hr, 30mins, 45secs - My Baker 1hr, 42mins, 19secs - Ashprint 1hr, 47mins, 00Secs - Cake Craft by Charlotte and May 1hr, 51mins, 50secs - Sugar Valley Stencils

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 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 Bronya and Sammie chat about how you can continue to have a thriving cake business even though there is an economic crisis looming on the horizon. Both of them have lived through recessions before and come out the other side. With a bit of careful planning, targeted marketing and working smart with your customers there is no reason why you should have to close your order books.

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.

Fresh from winning Best at the Show at Cake International 2022, we are chatting to Jenny Chambers.

She chats about her whirlwind of a year including travelling to Canada to be in a TV Cake Competition, and just a month ago winning Cake International with her sculpted cake.

We find out why she chose the design she did, how she made a hole in a cake without any supports, and if she'll be entering again next year.

And on top of that, she is just the loveliest person and we could have chatted all evening.

This year Bronya and Sammie were privileged to be invited to podcast live from the Cake and Bake Show. Held over 3 days they interviewed loads of guests. These are the Guests from Day 2

It was a busy and noisy show, and they have done their best in the edit to muffle some of the background noise. If you wish to jump to a specific interview just follow the time codes below:

3mins, 14secs - Lisa Marley 10mins, 27secs - Sweet Doris 17mins, 57secs - Eric Lanlard 27mins, 34secs - Paul Jagger, GBBO 35mins, 47secs - Phil Thorne, GBBO 42mins, 20secs - Kendra Groves, Wild Child Cakes 56mins, 55secs - Oli the Choc 1hr, 10mins, 30secs - Bell, Bella Sugarcraft 1hr, 22mins, 35secs - Product of the Day 1hr, 28mins, 52secs - Molly Robbins 1hr, 40mins, 09secs - Skinny Slabs 1hr, 52mins, 40secs - Lilium Cakery

The working title for this episode was actually - What to do when life goes tits up!

We've all been there, we're trundling through life and business quite happily and then something happens that wasn't planned. What can we do to protect ourselves and our business when things don't go as we excepted it to?

Sammie and Bronya chat through their recent experiences and how they dealt with things, and if there was anything else they could have done differently.

Join us for our first LIVE podcast. You can also watch it, if you feel that way inclined, on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAXnP3KGfd/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

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!

No-one is taught how to run a cake business, but don't let that stop you. Life, it's experiences and your other/previous jobs will all give you skills which will help you going forward.

In this episode we chat about the jobs we have done and how they have helped us. Some have been in catering, some have been in hospitality, some it would seem would have no relevance what so ever, but we chat through how they have all helped!

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 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.