5 Things of What I wish I knew Growing my Cake Biz
Following My Dream: How Starting My Cake Business Changed My Life
Making the leap into entrepreneurship and starting my cake business was the best decision I ever made. It wasn’t just about making cakes; it was about following my passion, embracing creativity, and building something that truly belonged to me.
For years, I dreamed of becoming a cake designer and it took a few years to actually take the leap into going to cake design school and starting my own business. Looking back, I can confidently say that starting my business was life-changing. Creating a business is exciting, however you will learn so much about yourself that you never thought you needed to know. It was far from easy.
You find out what fear really feels like. You learn about your personal and business boundaries. Customers will upset you. You will make mistakes. You will have to face some things about you that you must change in order to become successful.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned so much about pricing, business operations, marketing, customer service, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with being an entrepreneur. The lessons I’ve gathered could probably fill an entire book (hmm… maybe that’s my next project!). But for now, I want to share some of the most valuable golden nuggets that I wish I had known when I first started.
1. It Takes Time to Grow a Business
When I started my cake business, I wanted success immediately.
I mean, who doesn’t right? We are in the age of instant gratification!
I had this vision of being booked out with orders, making beautiful cakes every day, and enjoying financial freedom. But reality hit me fast—it takes time to build a successful business.
We live in a world that glorifies overnight success. Social media is filled with stories of people skyrocketing to fame, making six figures, and living a glamorous life. But what’s often hidden behind the scenes is the hard work, sleepless nights, unable to pay certain bills, your friends and family questioning how long this “cake business thing” will make it, and years of experience that will pave the way to the success.
I used to look at successful cake designers with envy, wondering how they got there so quickly. But when I got to know them, I realized that their journey wasn’t overnight. Many had been in the industry for years, honing their craft, making mistakes, learning, and putting in their 10,000 hours. Some of those cake designers worked full-time while growing their business on the side. Some have been making cakes for years until they became “Instagram Famous”. Honestly, we really don’t know the true story behind a lot of entrepreneurs journey. We only see what social media chooses to show us.
If I could go back, I would remind myself that business is about growth, and growth takes time. You can speed up the process by learning from others, taking courses, and avoiding common mistakes, but patience is key. The more you embrace the journey and appreciate the lessons along the way, the more fulfilling the experience becomes.
2. Expect Unexpected Expenses
When I graduated from Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts in Toronto, I was ready to start my business. I had the skills, the passion, and the drive. But one thing I wasn’t prepared for? The expenses. The money. The unexpected costs. The investments.
Starting a cake business isn’t just about baking cakes. There are so many hidden costs that add up quickly—ingredients, tools, equipment, packaging, classes, website hosting, marketing, permits, and rent if you’re using a commercial kitchen.
At first, I felt blindsided. I’m pretty known that I am a prepared person yet I felt grossly unprepared when the expenses kept filing up.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to budget carefully and plan for unexpected costs. If you’re just starting, take time to research all potential expenses and create a financial cushion. Investing in quality tools and resources early on can save you money in the long run. And don’t forget to price your cakes properly to cover all these costs—undervaluing your work will only hurt your business.
If you have the luxury of keeping a budget for unexpected expenses, create one. An emergency fund is always a great idea and your future self will thank you for creating one, now.
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3. Invest in Yourself
I’ve always believed in education, which is why I invested in attending a prestigious cake school. However, while I learned a lot about cake design, I didn’t learn much about business. And that was a huge gap in my knowledge.
At first, I tried figuring everything out on my own—marketing, pricing, customer service, branding—but it was overwhelming. I had so many questions, and trial and error was costing me time and money.
Eventually, I realized that investing in business education was just as important as mastering cake techniques. I took courses on marketing, learned how to attract high-paying clients, worked on my branding to attract the customers I wanted to work with, and worked on my mindset around money. That’s when things started to shift.
Too many cake designers believe they can do it alone, but the truth is, growth happens faster when you invest in yourself.
“But Kristina, I don’t have the money. How can I invest in myself?”
Look I 100% understand. You can invest in yourself in so many different ways.
Whether it’s a course, mentorship, or business coaching, a business book, more cake design classes, listening to a business podcast consistently, investing in knowledge pays off. When you take your business seriously, others will too.
And if you're looking for more resources to help you build an amazing cake business, charge premium prices, and maintain a fully booked calendar, I've created a comprehensive Cake Business Library filled with ebooks, templates, guides, and so much more. You can get access to all these resources by clicking the link here.
4. Stop Listening to Everyone Else
In the beginning, I made the mistake of listening to everyone’s advice. Friends, family, fellow bakers—everyone had an opinion on how I should run my business.
“You should sell cupcakes!”
“You should lower your prices to get more customers!”
“You should do wedding cakes only!”
I even had a wedding planner tell me to charge low prices to a certain demographic because they won’t be able to pay my prices and I need to be nice to them. Which was extremely frustrating and humiliating to hear.
All this advice pulled me in different directions, and I found myself running a business I didn’t even love. Eventually, I had to stop listening to others and start trusting myself.
The moment I started making decisions based on what felt right for me, everything changed. I let go of products I didn’t enjoy making, focused on the niche I loved, and built a business that made me happy. And guess what? That’s when my business truly started to thrive. And, I started to love the cakes I created. I didn’t have to work on certain orders that didn’t bring me joy.
If you’re feeling lost in your business, take a step back and ask yourself: What do I truly want? Listen to your gut, not the noise around you.
That may mean dropping wedding cakes from your menu and only focus on cool party cakes. That may mean offering opening a bakery and selling baked goods 80% of the time, with cakes at 20% of the time. Only you can answer that question.
5. Growth Can Be Overwhelming – Be Prepared
When my business started booming, I was thrilled! Orders were pouring in, and I finally felt like I had “made it.” But soon, I realized I wasn’t prepared for the workload. I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and barely keeping up.
I had to learn the hard way that success isn’t just about getting more orders—it’s about handling them efficiently. I didn’t have the right systems in place, and I wasn’t delegating. I tried to do everything myself, and it nearly led to burnout.
After hitting a breaking point, I knew I had to make changes. I started planning ahead, organizing my workflow, and even outsourcing some tasks. I also learned to say no to orders that didn’t align with my goals. Once I created a sustainable system, my business became much more enjoyable and easier to grow in to.
If you’re aiming for growth, prepare for it. Set up efficient systems, get the right support, and don’t be afraid to scale at a pace that works for you. You won’t get it all right at the beginning, you will find out what works for you and what doesn’t. But, as long as you are moving forward and preparing for the business you want, the business success will follow.
Enjoy the Journey
Growing a cake business isn’t just about baking and designing—it’s about continuous learning, evolving, and overcoming challenges along the way. Social media often paints a picture of effortless success, but the reality is that behind every thriving business is a story filled with trial and error, persistence, and resilience.
The key to lasting success is not just reaching milestones, but appreciating the journey itself. Celebrate small wins, learn from setbacks, and embrace the process of growth. Every mistake is a lesson, every challenge is an opportunity, and every step forward is progress. The more you focus on enjoying the ride rather than just the destination, the more fulfilling your journey will be.
If you’re just starting out, remind yourself that every successful entrepreneur was once a beginner too. Keep learning, stay passionate, trust the process, and most importantly—enjoy the ride.
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CONCLUSION
Starting and growing a cake business has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys of my life. Every lesson I learned shaped me into the business owner I am today.
If you're in the midst of building your own cake business, remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow. Stay patient, trust yourself, and don’t be afraid to invest in your craft and business knowledge.
The journey may not always be easy, but the reward of doing what you love every day makes it all worthwhile. Keep going, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
What’s one thing you wish you knew while you were growing your cake business?
Comment down below, I would love to know!
