1.
Pricing Too Low
Accurately pricing your baked goods is a very important part of owning a home bakery business. Pricing too high can keep customers from buying and pricing too low can create problems for you in the long run. You want to find a price that is good for you and your customers.
2.
Focusing on Vanity Metrics
A lot of people focus on likes and views when it comes to Instagram, but those only look good on your profile. But what you should be focusing on are the people who are coming to your profile and purchasing your goods. A lot of that will be local people who are searching for local hashtags and searching for baked goods in your area.
3.
Taking Too Many Orders
You never want to sacrifice quality. As a new baker, it is very easy to keep saying, “YES!” to anything that comes your way. It makes us feel good and that we are doing well. But when it comes to actually take the time to bake, it is easy to burn out or feel overwhelmed about the time you are spending in the kitchen. So when it comes to baking, make sure that you are setting aside time for every order before you allow another order to come in.
4.
Offering Too Many Products
I would really recommend only offering a few products and then perfecting them before offering more. First I would really nail down the process to try to reduce the timing and make yourself efficient. You can also get a better idea of ingredients, pricing, and packaging.
This can also help you have quality goods. Focusing on too many things can also make you feel burnt out and can cause issues when it comes to pricing.
5.
Feeling Guilty About Charging
We all have those friends and family who we love dearly. But that does not mean that you should sacrifice your time and income. I have talked to people about a small friend and family discount before, but you have to remember that most real friends are not going to ask you to do something for free.
If someone were to go up and say, “Hey Joe, I need a strategic financial analysis… by this weekend for free because we are friends.”…. on a Thursday. You would think that is crazy.
At least charge for supplies and realize that you are still working for your business. You are taking the time and money to make a product for your customers whether they are friends or family.
6.
Don’t Forget to Take a Deposit
Always take deposits for your orders! Not taking one is almost guaranteeing an unsteady paycheck and an opportunity for people to back out of orders.
I would normally have people pay a 50% deposit to keep their order date and assure that they will have the product on the day they requested.
Also, do not be afraid to collect the rest of your payment! Even if you know the person and you think that they are reliable, again, you are running a business. The best thing that you can do is make sure that you are getting paid the rest at least by the day before pickup.
7.
Not Getting Enough Details
This is something a lot of first-time bakers do not take into consideration! It is so important that you and your customer are on the same page. I would ask for images of colors and decorations to assure that you get everything that you can correct.
If a customer says that they want pink, that may be true. But asking about a certain shade or image can assure that you will be on the same page and expectation. You can also ask for them to confirm that image by putting it on their invoice.
And if you know that you cannot get that exact colors, just make sure to be upfront and honest with them. Maybe even offer a similar color suggestion for them.
8.
Not Buying in Bulk
This can become a big cost issue, especially with macarons. Not only are the ingredients expensive, but also the packaging. Buying in bulk can help you save money, and even if you are starting out and have an idea that you do want to make this a business, I would buy in bulk right away. Packaging, almond flour, sugar, and powdered sugar can start to cost a lot if you are buying small bags at your local grocery or craft store.