KNOW YOUR WORTH
“The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone.” ― Ayn Rand
This post may be sensitive to some eyes, but it’s the reality of our business.
As bakers we receive calls/e-mails for cake/dessert quotes. Once the quote is given, the outcome may have a few different scenarios. The client is good with the quote and wants to move forward with their order. The client says your prices are too high. The client requests a discount, or wants to play the price negotiation game. Or we never hear back from the potential client. We appreciate the cake inquiries, but we are in business to make money, not bake free cake.
Some, not all, may not realize the hard work and especially love that is put into each and every dessert, whether it’s a cake, cupcake, cookie,, or cake pop. Bakers want you to enjoy the desserts, but we have to be also have to be compensated accordingly.
A lot people are under the impression that if you are a home baker your prices should be less than a brick and mortar bakery. Why should a home baker’s prices be any different from what you would pay at a brick and mortar bakery, or any retail store? Discounts are not asked for and negotiations are not made at Target, Longhorn Steakhouse, or when purchasing a $400 purse from Coach. Why would a home baker be any different? We use water to sanitize and clean our equipment, electricity and gas to bake, internet to manage websites and respond to emails, fuel to drive to the store and purchase supplies, purchase cake education classes to keep our skills sharp and up to date with new cake trends, and the list goes on.
"It's just a cake, why does it cost so much?" It's really not just cake. Included in the cake price is:
The Baker's Time: It can be a simple cake. It can be an elaborate 6 tiered wedding cake. Remember that every step of the process takes time and vision. Time spent consulting with clients to get an idea of what they want, time to research cake ideas, sketch/design the cake, shopping for supplies, baking the cake, decorating the cake, photography/social media, and cake delivery.
The Baker's Expertise: Expertise on baking a delicious and beautiful cake, creating custom gum paste flowers, cake techniques, getting razor sharp edges, and creating custom fondant cake toppers.
An Experience: Lastly and most importantly, a cake is an experience, which can make or break an event. Clients and their guests have a visual experience when the cake is first viewed and a sensory experience when the cake is tasted. If the cake that is provided for the event meets the client's expectations, it adds to the success of the event. If the cake is not good, and the client is not happy with the cake, it results in a poor experience for all involved. People will always remember that the cake was good, but will never forget that dry crusty wedding cake.
I say all of this to make a point. Bakers know your worth. Value your expertise, time, and talent. Everyone cannot bake and design a cake. That's why we exist. There are several price points out there for clients. Everyone is not your customer. Stop the undercharging, and price negotiations. Be confident in your talents and charge accordingly. It helps our industry as a whole.
Charge your prices. You are worth it.
Thinking about following curiosity through everyday information, I find the smaller practical questions more interesting than a quick conclusion. A clear question can turn a casual interest into something easier to explore. It is the kind of question I would keep in mind when thinking about 2welve and 2welve learning ideas. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. How do you decide which detail deserves a closer look before moving on?
I keep coming back to the everyday side of exploring scientific questions through clear examples, where a simple detail can lead to a wider question. A useful explanation shows how an observation connects with the question being investigated. That practical perspective helps me frame science learning ideas as a theme for Stemcellwanglab. It leaves me curious about the steps between understanding an idea and putting it into practice. What simple comparison would help someone understand why a result matters?
I like thinking about communicating ideas to the right audience through small observations rather than trying to reach a conclusion immediately. A clear explanation of a practical benefit can be more useful than a string of enthusiastic claims. I would connect Seamonstermarketing with digital marketing ideas through an ordinary example rather than a broad claim. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. What would make a short message feel relevant rather than intrusive?
What interests me about building confidence through manageable learning goals is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. A clear first step can make a difficult subject feel more approachable. It is the kind of question I would keep in mind when thinking about Practicalresources and practical learning skills. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. How do you decide what to practise when a topic initially seems too broad?
I like thinking about following curiosity through everyday information through small observations rather than trying to reach a conclusion immediately. A clear question can turn a casual interest into something easier to explore. It is the kind of question I would keep in mind when thinking about Neshawonderland and Neshawonderland learning ideas. I am still thinking through the practical side, because the context can change what seems useful. How do you decide which detail deserves a closer look before moving on?