How to Become a Better Cake Designer: Elevate Your Skills and Your Business
The Growth Mindset of a Successful Cake Designer
You may have known that a few months ago, I traveled to D.C. to go study with Maggie Austin for a few days and I wills say it was AWESOME!
But here’s a little secret…I knew almost all of the techniques she was teaching before taking her class.
I already knew how to make ruffles, gum paste roses, blossoms, hand painting, etc.
But I decided to go anyway because I needed to learn from someone who was BETTER than me as a designer.
One of the most important lessons I've learned as an artist in the cake design industry is that you should always be seeking to become better and never rest on your laurels. What does that mean? Well, it means never feeling like you've "arrived" at the peak of your game where you don't need to improve your skills anymore.
This mindset has helped me stay humble about my abilities and has constantly pushed me to see how I can level up my cake design game. Here's the thing – the better cake designer you become, the more your confidence grows, and naturally, the more money you make. They all correspond and relate to each other in this beautiful cycle of growth.
When you're consistently practicing and affirming your skills as an awesome cake designer, you'll naturally begin to charge more in your business. So always maintain the mentality of "I'm always learning and growing as a cake designer." This isn't just a nice thought – it needs to be instilled in your mindset and your monthly practice routine.
Today, I’m going to share with you four powerful strategies to level up your cake design skills and become a better cake designer.
1. Practice Consistently (Even When You Don't Have Orders)
To actually become a better cake designer, you need to always be practicing your cake skills. This often means taking time outside of your paid cake orders to learn new techniques that are trending in the marketplace or to refine your skills in areas like sugar flowers or cake sculpting.
Whether it's investing in premium classes or studying with your favorite cake designer, you should always be asking yourself: "How can I become better?" This needs to be part of your monthly routine.
I've found that I had to deliberately schedule time aside for practice because otherwise, weeks would just fly by. I'd tell myself I would practice, but without making it a priority, it just became an excuse. Don't fall into that trap! Block out time in your calendar specifically for skill development – treat it with the same importance as a client meeting.
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2. Create a "Dream Team Council" of Cake Design Mentors
This next strategy is something I've adapted from Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" – the concept of an imaginary team of advisors. For cake designers, this means mentally assembling the cake artists you most admire and imagining how they would critique your work.
We all have cake designers we look up to – so imagine they were looking at your cakes.
How would they critique your work?
What would they suggest to help you improve?
What would they add or change?
Try to get into their mindset and think about how they would approach your designs.
I've used this strategy to become a better business owner by imagining how my business heroes would approach marketing and client relationships. You can apply the same principle to your cake designs.
This also means you can (and should) go look at their work and compare your own against theirs – not in a discouraging way, but with the intention of leveling up. Study their cake lines, their sugar flowers, their placements, and the overall cohesiveness of their designs. Ask yourself: Is my work original or am I just copying from Pinterest because that's what customers ask for?
Now, some cake designers say they don't compare themselves to others or they "stay in their own lane." And while I respect that, I believe we naturally want to see how our work measures up. The key is to use this comparison productively to help you become better, not to tear yourself down. Let it strengthen your confidence rather than make you feel inadequate.
3. Study the Latest Trends and Techniques
To stay competitive in the cake design industry, you need to continuously educate yourself on emerging trends and techniques. The cake world is constantly evolving, with new tools, ingredients, and styles appearing all the time. Make it a point to follow industry leaders on social media, subscribe to cake design magazines, and join online communities where cake artists share their latest creations.
I like to browse social media and see what's trending in the cake world. Whether it's new texturing techniques, innovative flavor combinations, or the latest in edible printing technology – staying informed keeps your work fresh and exciting. Your clients will appreciate having a cake designer who offers contemporary designs alongside timeless classics.
Don't be afraid to experiment with these new trends in your practice sessions. Not everything will work for your style or brand, but being knowledgeable about what's happening in the industry positions you as an expert and gives you more options to offer your clients.
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4. Commit to Unwavering Consistency in Every Design
The next (and perhaps most crucial) element to becoming a better cake designer is maintaining consistency in every single cake you create. This means no rushing through orders, no waiting until the last minute, and no letting small flaws slide because you're tired.
When you notice your cake isn't perfectly level, or your fondant could be smoother, or your sugar flowers aren't quite right – but you let it go anyway – you're dwelling in what I call "low-level mediocrity." These inconsistencies prevent you from reaching greatness.
The more consistent you become in your craftsmanship – from the design to the sugar flowers, the dusting, the placement, the delivery, and even exceeding customer expectations – the stronger you'll become as a cake designer.
Consistency is the bridge that takes you from good to great. It's something many people struggle to practice, but it's absolutely essential to your growth and success. This consistency muscle is one you really need to strengthen.
The Beautiful Payoff
When you commit to these four practices – consistent skill development, learning from the masters in your field, staying on top of industry trends, and unwavering consistency in execution – you will absolutely earn more money with your cakes. As you stretch beyond your creative comfort zone and explore new possibilities, your business will transform.
The better cake designer you become, the more confidence you'll have to charge premium prices. Your portfolio will showcase exceptional work that attracts discerning clients who value quality and are willing to pay for it. Your reputation will grow, leading to a fully booked calendar of exciting projects.
Ready to be a Better Cake Designer? Start Now, not Later!
If you're serious about taking your cake business to the next level, I encourage you to start implementing these strategies today. Block out practice time in your calendar, identify the cake designers who inspire you most, and make a commitment to consistency in every creation.
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 right here.
Remember, becoming the best cake designer you're destined to be isn't about overnight success – it's about consistent growth, practice, and elevating your standards day by day. Stay committed to this journey, and you'll be amazed at how far you can go.
I can't wait to see what incredible designs you create as you implement these strategies.
What have you implemented in your cake business to help you become a better cake designer?
Comment down below, I’d love to know!
Until next time, happy baking and creating!
