What To Do BEFORE You Raise Your Cake Prices
Before you raise your prices in your business, you must think about what I am going to share with you below.
Raising your cake prices should be a quick and easy decision to do, right?
Well, yes. However, if it were so easy, then why are cake business owners still struggling in their business?
If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm passionate about helping cake designers build profitable, sustainable businesses that bring them joy AND creating financial security.
Today, I'm tackling something super important that I see cake designers struggle with constantly - what you should actually do BEFORE raising your cake prices. This is such a crucial conversation because pricing is where so many talented artists get stuck in their business journey.
I can't tell you how often I see this scenario play out: A cake designer realizes they're working too hard for too little money, so they decide to raise their prices. They update their website, create a new price list, and wait for orders to come in... only to watch their inbox go quiet. Panic sets in. "Did I aim too high? Will anyone pay these prices? Should I go back to my old rates?" And just like that, they're caught in a painful cycle of doubt and uncertainty about their worth and value.
But here's what I want you to know right from the start - price increases don't have to be dramatic or painful! With the right approach, mindset, and preparation, you can grow into higher pricing naturally and confidently. I've helped countless cake designers in my programs double their income while working with clients who value their artistry and time.
Today, let's get into the juicy information about what you need to do BEFORE you raise those prices!
Understand Your "Why"
First and foremost, you need to understand WHY you're raising your prices. It's not enough to simply say, "I'm tired of charging $3 or $4 per slice, so I'm going to charge $8 or $9." There needs to be a solid business reason behind your decision.
When you have a strong "why," it helps justify and strengthen your belief in charging more for your cakes. All successful businesses do this! Think about when you go to a store or fast-food restaurant and notice that prices have increased - the business has taken the time to evaluate their costs and made adjustments accordingly. They have realized they can no longer offer the same products and services for at their old rates.
Your "why" might be:
The cost of ingredients has increased
Inflation across the country
Needing to financially support yourself and your family
Your time and expertise are worth more than your current prices reflect
I have found that when I have a deeper "why" to making a critical business change, there's a steady and firmness to the decision I have made. The inner confidence of knowing I am worthy of charging more for the cakes I am making coupled with the multitude of businesses decisions for why I am charging more makes it easier for me to trust I am making the best decision for me and my business. This foundation gives you confidence when communicating your value to customers.
Analyze Your Current Pricing Structure
If I had to guess, you're probably undercharging for your cakes right now. If you're charging $3, $4, $5, or even $6 per slice, chances are you're not charging enough to sustain a profitable business. When you truly understand your pricing - all the math that goes into calculating your costs, time, and desired profit margin - you'll likely see that you need to raise your prices to properly support yourself and pay yourself a fair hourly rate.
Many cake designers decide to raise their prices because they see others charging $1,500 to $2,000 per order. While it's great to be inspired by others' success, simply copying their prices without doing your own calculations and mindset work won't lead to sustainable results.
Align Your Beliefs and Mindset
This is perhaps the most crucial step: you need to truly believe that you are WORTHY of charging more for your cakes. You can say it out loud, but do you really believe it deep down? Some cake designers think they believe they're worth higher prices, but they haven't ingrained that belief into their subconscious mind. There's a disconnect between what they consciously think and what they subconsciously believe.
You don't get in life what you want. You always get what you believe you deserve to have.
How can you tell if you truly believe in your worth? Look at the clients coming into your business. If you're consistently attracting clients who balk at your prices or try to negotiate them down, your belief hasn't fully transformed yet. Your reality reflects your true beliefs - that's a powerful law of attraction principle you can apply to your cake business.
You need to reinforce this belief daily until it becomes your truth. Tell yourself frequently throughout the day that you are worthy of charging premium prices for your exceptional work. When this belief becomes deeply rooted, you'll start attracting clients who value your work and willingly pay your prices.
Money Mindset Work Is Required, Not an Option
A lot of this transformation involves internal mindset work, but it's absolutely essential if you want to successfully charge more for your cakes. This isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the foundation for everything else in your business. I've seen incredibly talented cake artists with stunning portfolios struggle to make a living wage simply because they haven't done the inner work to believe in their value.
Let me be totally honest with you: this mindset work is often the hardest part of building a successful cake business. It's much easier to learn a new piping technique or master sugar flowers than it is to overcome years of conditioning that might be telling you "people in my area won't pay premium prices" or "who am I to charge that much?"
Without this solid mindset foundation, you'll find yourself caught in that painful cycle I mentioned earlier. You'll raise your prices because logically you know you should, but then when the first potential client questions your rates or chooses a cheaper competitor, you'll spiral into self-doubt. You'll think, "Maybe I'm not good enough yet," or "Maybe I should lower my prices until I get more experience." And just like that, you're back where you started, undercharging and overworking.
I see this happen with cake designers who have 5, 10, even 15 years of experience! It's not about your skill level — it's about your belief in your worth and your ability to communicate that value to your ideal clients.
Your beliefs and mindset must completely align with your business goals and the prices you want to charge. When there's alignment, you show up differently in every client interaction. You will speak confidently about your prices without apologizing or justifying. You attract clients who respect your art and your time. You make business decisions from a place of abundance rather than scarcity.
This alignment creates the confidence and conviction needed to stand firm in your value, even when faced with objections or rejections. Remember, not everyone is your ideal client, and that's perfectly okay! When you truly believe in your worth, hearing "no" becomes much easier because you know it just means that person wasn't the right fit for your business.
The good news is that mindset work gets easier with practice. Start by becoming aware of your self-talk around pricing. Challenge negative thoughts when they arise. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your value. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. And most importantly, take consistent action that aligns with the prices you want to charge — create high-quality work, provide exceptional service, and show up professionally in every aspect of your business.
Embrace the Transition Process
When transitioning to higher prices, consider these practical steps:
Give current clients advance notice of your price increase
Explain the value they'll continue to receive
Start applying new prices to new inquiries immediately
Focus your marketing on attracting your ideal clients who value quality over price
Showcase your best work to justify your premium pricing
Consider creating different tiers of products if you want to maintain some more accessible options
Remember that it's normal to lose some clients during this transition. Those who truly value your work will stay, and you'll attract new clients who appreciate quality and are willing to pay for it.
Your Path to Profitable Pricing Starts Today
Raising your cake prices requires more than just changing numbers—it demands preparation, mindset work, and strategy. When you understand your "why," analyze your current pricing structure, and align your beliefs with your worth, you create a foundation for charging what you truly deserve. The clients who value your artistry will stay, and you'll attract new ones who appreciate quality.
Today's message is just the beginning of your pricing transformation journey. I hope these insights help you rethink your approach to pricing and give you the confidence to value your amazing cake artistry appropriately.
Remember: you ARE worthy of charging premium prices for your exceptional cakes. Your talent, time, and expertise deserve to be properly compensated!
What's your biggest mindset block when it comes to raising your cake prices?