How to Start Your Cake Business (DVD + Streaming)

Build a successful business that’s as renowned for its wonderful customer as it is for its beautiful cakes. To begin, business consultant Michelle Green helps you determine what going into business for yourself means to you. Then, she shares top dos and don’ts for picking just the right name. Plus, explore a multitude of places you can find startup money, and find out how to build a strong financial and legal foundation for your business. Next, prepare for your first orders and learn everything you need —and don’t need to get started. Moving on, Michelle shares her highly effective marketing methods and helps you find one that fits your business perfectly. And, she breaks down digital marketing to help attract customers to your site and keep them there. Plus, learn how to tackle the toughest part of opening your business, determining how much to charge for your cakes!

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Do I or Don’t I? (Taking the Plunge) (20:41)
Meet your instructor, former business owner and cake business mentor Michelle Green, who is here to help you start your journey to own your own cake business. In this lesson, Michelle will help you determine what going into business will mean for you and help you set your own goals for success.

Getting Started: Building Your Foundation (10:58)
Take stock of your cake decorating skills and business prowess as Michelle offers you practical advice to help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Then, start realizing your dream as Michelle shares her top do’s and don’ts for naming your business.

Getting Established (& the Legal Stuff) (15:14)
Every business needs a little startup money, and in this lesson you’ll discover the multitude of places you can find it. Learn why it’s important to open a separate bank account for your business and then take note as Michelle helps you to make sure your business is legal.

Getting Ready for Orders (8:34)
Now that the framework is in place for your business, it’s time to prepare for orders! Learn how to determine which tools are absolutely must-haves and which ones you can do without. Then, make sure you have everything in place to take your first order.

Introduction to Marketing: Building a Local Network (19:29)
Turning on the open sign doesn’t mean you’ve made it. Discover how important physical marketing is as Michelle shares highly effective methods for getting your name out in your community. From tried-and-true strategies to creative marketing, you’ll find the strategy the right for you.

Introduction to eMarketing: Building an Online Network (13:05)
Virtual marketing can lead to real results. Learn how to stake your claim online and what you need in your digital portfolio and on your website. Then learn how to evaluate whether you’re reaching the right customers and use Michelle’s handy social-media calendar to maximize your audience.

Introduction to Pricing (21:21)
Arguably the most challenging part of opening a cake business is deciding what to charge for your work. Michelle breaks down all of the elements that go into pricing cake and offers pragmatic guidance for helping you ask for what you’re worth.

Michelle Green

Michelle Green runs the Business of Baking blog and is a qualified pastry chef. She owned a custom baking company for more than 10 years, eventually selling her business to become a full-time mentor in the baking industry. Today, she consults for a number of baking businesses and contributes to publications and websites including Sweet Magazine, The Baking Sheet and CakesDecor. Michelle also teaches cake business classes around the world and is excited to bring her expertise to Craftsy.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.