4 More Cake Orders You Need to Decline ASAP
A few months ago, I chatted with you about 4 cake orders you need to decline ASAP and it was one of my most popular newsletter topics ever! You can read that article here: Please Decline these Cake Orders Part 1.
I have MORE cake orders you need to decline in your cake business.
I love talking about this because I've been there MULTIPLE times. Not just once or twice, but over and over again throughout my cake journey. And I bet you've been there too.
You want to make more money, you want to grow your business, you want to get your cake orders booked... but you just aren't sure about some orders and if you want to take them on in your cake business.
We've all been there — your intuition is SCREAMING at you to say no, but you ignore it because "business is business," right? And then you find yourself working on a cake order you are absolutely dreading. You're counting down the minutes until you complete it and hand it over to the customer, just so you can breathe again.
Why We Take Orders We Hate
Let's get real for a second. Why do we start businesses taking on orders that make us feel like crap, that aren't in our zone of genius, or that we take just because "I need the money"?
When we do this, it sounds like we hired another job and we are becoming the boss we are starting to loathe. You didn't start a cake business to feel trapped and resentful, did you? I know I didn't!
I'm here to tell you, you don't need to take on every cake order request that comes through your door.
You can say NO.
And yes, I totally get that you want to make more money in your business. Why should you turn down money when the goal is to make money?
You can graciously decline and EXPECT more cake orders you want to make to come into your business.
That's the thing that took me years to understand. You have to think that what you want is out there, not settle for what you get. You have to believe — really BELIEVE — that turning down orders that don't align with your business vision makes space for the ones that do.
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Whenever I settled, it was always the scraps and bottom of the barrel. And while I was grateful for every cake order I booked (because let's be honest, in the beginning, we're all just happy someone wants to pay us for our craft!), I knew deep down that I created a business to do EXACTLY what I loved instead of something I just tolerated.
It's all a decision. A mindset shift.
Make the decision to focus your energy on booking orders you love instead of giving your attention to orders you don't want to create. When you put that intention out there, the universe listens. I promise.
Okay, let's dive into the next orders you should decline.
1. SUPER DUPER LATE ORDERS
This one does vary depending on how busy you are in your cake business and if you have the time and space to take on another cake order. Just due to my personality, I can't stand anything last minute. I like knowing 'things' beforehand. I like my calendar organized and my week planned out.
We've all had that call or message: "Hi! My party is next weekend and I need a cake. Can you do it?"
Insert eye roll here
If you truly don't have the time to work on a cake order at the last minute, just decline it. It's doing yourself a favor and saving the stress of trying to complete yet another order in your already booked-up schedule.
Last-minute orders usually come with their own unique brand of stress. The customer is often anxious, which means more texts, more calls, more changes. You might have to scramble for supplies. You'll probably be up until 2 AM the night before delivery.
Is that extra money really worth the bags under your eyes and the stress in your heart?
If you feel you can fit it in, and you genuinely want to, go ahead and take the order. Listen to your intuition. But never feel guilty for protecting your time and your sanity by saying no to last-minute requests.
Remember: Poor planning on their part doesn't constitute an emergency on yours!
2. CAKES AGAINST YOUR BELIEFS
Oooooh touchy subject! And yes, some cake businesses have been sued for this... but here's my take. There are some cakes that just go against what you believe outside your cake business, and I feel you don't need to take those orders just because a customer asked you to.
For me, those are the nasty bachelorette/bachelor cakes. I would feel SUPER uncomfortable creating a cake like that, and that's just how I feel about it. If an order goes against your beliefs, involves ingredients you don't favor, or makes you uncomfortable, I say decline it.
Your business is an extension of YOU. It should reflect your values, your style, your comfort level. Don't compromise that for a one-time order that will leave you feeling icky.
But then again, the choice is up to you! No judgment here — you know what's best for your business and your peace of mind.
3. THE CUSTOMER WANTS A DEAL OR DISCOUNT
We've all heard it:
"But I'm ordering for a friend of a friend!"
"It's for a really good cause..."
"My budget is only half of what you quoted..."
"Can't you do it cheaper just this once?"
From friends of friends, to customers with a low budget, to situations where you know you are undercharging for that cake order, I'd say it's best to decline.
Most of the time, when we book a cake order and we know we aren't charging our worth, we start to resent the cake order. Every hour spent becomes painful because you know you're not being properly compensated. And it's showing the universe that you are completely okay with not charging your worth.
Here's what happens when you take underpriced orders:
You resent the time spent
You might cut corners to make it "worth it"
Your creativity suffers
You set a precedent that your prices are negotiable
You train clients to undervalue your work
There's a cake designer out there who will charge $1.50 per slice; let them go there. (And that better not be you! *wink* )
4. CAKES AND 'THINGS' YOU JUST HATE MAKING
We all have these types of orders. You loathe making them. Or you mentally roll your eyes for some cakes.
Maybe it's pregnant belly cakes, or cakes with alcohol bottles in them, or dessert tables, cake pops, mini-cupcakes, carved cakes, or buttercream cakes. Whatever makes your soul die a little when you get the request — just decline them.
Why? Because you created a cake business you want to LOVE... which should be filled with doing what you LOVE to do.
Life is too short to spend hours creating something that makes you miserable. Adding negative energy to your cake business makes your cake business a drag, and that's not what a business should be about.
When you learn to decline orders you can't stand, you are drawing the line in the sand and saying yes to MORE orders you want to book! You're creating space for the universe to bring you what you actually want.
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Creating the Business You Love
Don't create a business where you really aren't excited about what you're doing. It's like creating a job you don't want to go to on a daily basis. Create a business you love filled with what you love, not a job with stuff you tolerate.
I spent years saying yes to every order that came my way, afraid that if I turned anything down, I'd never get another order again. Know what happened? I burned out. I started dreading checking my emails. I considered quitting altogether.
But then I started saying no. I started being selective. I started focusing on the types of cakes that made my heart sing.
And guess what? More of those orders started coming in. The universe has a funny way of giving you more of what you focus on.
To fill your cake schedule and have a Booked Solid Cake Business, your business needs strategy, confidence, and marketing to fill your schedule with committed customers who want to book their cake with you!
You deserve to wake up excited about the cakes on your schedule. You deserve to feel proud of every creation that leaves your kitchen. You deserve to build a business that feels like a blessing, not a burden.
So start saying no today. I promise, the right orders are on their way to fill that space.
What cake orders do you need to start declining?
I’m loving the conversation on cake orders to decline! Any more cake orders I need to add to the list?
Drop a comment below and let me know!
