It’s your business, you are the boss. You get to set the rules.
I too work a full time job, other then baking. I have realized that time is money. And since MY time is so scarce these days, my time is a premium.
I now charge for wedding consults. I take that fee and should the couple decide to use me as the baker, I put it towards the price of the cake. Should they not decide to go with me, It goes towards the baking, mixing of icing, set up and clean up, etc…..
I have done too many complimentary ‘tastings’ and ‘consults’, only to get skunked in the long run. Not only was I out the ingredients and prep time, but I had spent about an hour, entertaining and feeding someone who never purchased a cake from me.
I do not hand over designs, personally. They are my planning drawings. Often, they are just quick sketched out line drawings, just so I have a direction of where I am going with the cake. Sometimes, I really have to get detailed with the drawing so I have it set in my head, which direction I am going with the cake. I keep these sketches in my personal sketch book.
Please don’t sell yourself short. I looked at your webpage. You are making some very nice cakes. I know what it is like to work a full time job, have a family and decorate cakes on the side.
Your time is worth money.
People can only take advantage of you, if you allow it to happen.
Good Luck!
Donna T.
Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
