How to Make Money Baking (As a Mom With a Full-Time Job)

“How to make money baking as a mom with a full-time job?”, if I had a dime for every time I was asked this question I’d be a very rich woman.

Baking is something that comes naturally to me, I remember the first day I decided to start baking, do you guys remember, the movie Steel Magnolias yes, I know I’m dating myself and you will surely know how old I am from this classic move, for my millennials you may have to google the name.

Anyway, not to get off topic but do you remember at the beginning of the movie they had a big ole armadillo cake and Wheezy aka Ouiser cut the tail off and gave it to the bride’s dad, well the inside of the cake was red velvet and I was intrigued.

I didn’t even know cake could come in that color. As coincidence would have it, later that week on Paula’s Home Cooking, Paula Deen was making her favorite red velvet cake on her latest episode and I had to try this recipe for myself. 

From there I was hooked, I made it for family and friends and they kept coming back asking for more. It wasn’t until my soon-to-be sister-in-law at the time suggested that I could sell my cakes and make a little profit.

In the beginning, I never thought baking could be a profitable business. I did it because it was fun and I enjoyed being in the kitchen. I love creating things with my hands and trying out new recipes.

“I never thought baking could be a profitable business. I did it because it was fun and I enjoyed being in the kitchen. I love creating things with my hands and trying out new recipes.”

The joy I see on others’ faces once they eat my cakes or cupcakes is payment enough but as a mom, with a full-time job, it’s nice to get paid for a job well done.

As word of mouth, is a very powerful advertising tool and things began to snowball, I decided to turn a hobby into a new venture as we build our legacy through cakes.

Preparing cakes for all special occasions is one of my favorite money-making activities, being able to make money from my home through decorating and baking cakes is a true passion.

I’ve been baking cakes on and off since 2005, it wasn’t until recently that Rodney and I decided to make this business an LLC (Legal Limited Company). While an LLC may not be necessary in the beginning we do recommend you get one as your business grows and you continue to make more of a profit.

Here is a picture of a check from one of our cake orders

It’s a little weird posting a check for all of our friends and family to see, but that’s the tradeoff that we accept for the transparency that it provides to our readers.

We never publish to brag but only to show our readers just what is possible with a small home-based baking business.

While there are several steps you need to take to ensure that your home-based baking business is considered legal, laws can vary from state to state, so be sure to do your homework regarding what is legal in the area you live. 

How to Make Money Baking and Decorating

In this post, we will discuss, how I make money baking and decorating at home while being a mom of three boys and having a full-time job.

I will walk you through some of the items you will need to get started, give you different ideas for what to bake, plus simple marketing tips for growing your own home-based baking business to the next level. 

I decorate and bake cakes for the simple fact that friends should never let friends eat bad cakes, but really, I do it because I can control what ingredients are used and the consistency of what’s being baked.

I do my best to use top-quality materials and ingredients and I am truly driven by what I create and bring the knowledge of what I’ve learned throughout the years into every cake/cupcake design.

What You’ll Need to Start to Make Money Baking

In all honesty, it doesn’t take a lot of money or equipment to start making money from home decorating and baking. Most of the equipment you may need are items you may already own or could get at a low price. Here’s a short list: 

• Equipment  
• A working oven 
• A Mixer (standing or hand)  
• Bakeware-Mixing Bowls, Pans, and Utensils 
• Refrigerator 
• Storage  
• Table 
• Recipes 
• Be confident in your prices  
• Certifications, Licenses, and Health Requirements 
• Marketing Strategy
• Baking courses  

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Equipment  

You don’t have to buy anything fancy, just a small, affordable hand mixer will do when you’re starting out.

If your budget can permit a standing mixer, I would highly recommend a KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer you can find on KitchenAid As you make money in your baking business you can invest in better equipment later.

As a baker, the most important piece of equipment you’ll need is an oven. Starting out with your oven at home is fine but as your business grows you’ll most likely eventually need a full-size convection oven. These ovens are a great option and are easy to rent using a commercial kitchen or culinary incubator space.   

Depending on what you want to bake look into purchasing at least two of everything to cut down your cooking/baking time. While size may vary buy what you need in the beginning more than what you want.

As space may be limited, also look for a tabletop or surface that you can roll, kneed or cut any baking item on.

If you have a built-in island that is great or if your kitchen can permit a stainless steel stand that can roll and has shelves or draws for extra storage would be ideal. For extra protection against contaminants, and to keep dust off, look for plastic containers to hold your items.

Some of these items are even insulated for better proofing results. Bins for ingredients are ideal for storing dry ingredients like flour and sugar. 

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Picking a Great Recipe 

Choosing great recipes is the foundation of your business, I do my best to focus my recipes on making moist, sturdy cakes that can hold up under most climate conditions.

It’s very important to use real ingredients and in this day and age incorporate gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and also vegan recipes into your menu.

The point to remember is you don’t want to gear your cakes only toward looking good, it also has to taste great as well and that’s where a lot of commercial bakeries fall short. A good recipe is not hard to find as the internet is a great place to start.

When I first got started with Red Velvet cake I used a recipe Food Network had on their website from Cake Man Raven in Brooklyn NY, now I incorporated my own style and flavors to that recipe to make it my own.

With that being said, your best bet is to find a good recipe use it as a starting point, and add your own twist to it to make it your own. As your recipes are the cornerstone of your business it’s the key element needed to make any bake good fantastic.    

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Be Confident in Your Prices 

Once you determine your prices, you may think you have priced your items too high and nobody will pay for them and you are absolutely WRONG!

This was something I had to learn, not everybody will be willing to pay the price but many will, once you know your worth and the quality of work you bring to the table the prices you are charging are never too high.

You can also price-check your competition in your area, but remember you are bringing something different to your clients.

Remind your clients that you are making top-quality custom work, that are expensive to make and requires your time, patience, and attention. It is up to them to decide, as you know your baked goods will be far better than any wholesale discounted store.

Plus, it’s ideal to make a profit from every order as you can’t stay in business too long without turning a profit on every deal. Remain, confident in your prices and focused on your end goals, the individuals you bake for now are the stepping stone to higher clientele. 

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Certifications, Licenses, and Health Requirements 

There are several rules and regulations you may need to research on prior to investing in your home-based baking business. The first place to start is with your state and local government to find out what certifications, licenses, and health regulations are required.

Check with your state and local governments to see if home-based bakeries are legal in your area, and then find out what kind of licenses are required. Some states do not require licensing for small-scale businesses under cottage food laws, but some states do mandate that you acquire certification and a business license. 

According to pickyourown.org – Cottage food laws, allow a person to legally bake and prepare certain foods in their home kitchens and sell them on a small scale.

Cottage food laws regulate whether or not you can produce low-risk foods in your home for sale. They are designed for very small businesses as states place a cap on how much revenue your business can make from a legal standpoint.

These items typically include baked goods, candies, pickled products, and dry and canned goods. Not only do these laws limit your sales but they can also limit where you can sell your products. Home bakers in certain jurisdictions may also be restricted.

So, it is important to check your local zoning laws when trying to sell baked goods in an area solely zoned for residential residence. Keep in mind you may need to bake in a registered kitchen, registered for a number of food handling and business permits.  

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Marketing Strategy to Make Money Baking

Once you have all legal matters sorted out, it’s important to do marketing research and choose your niche. To get your home-based business off the ground, people need to know you are open for business. Here are a few marketing strategies you can use for your home-based baking business.  

Word of Mouth 

has been an essential marketing tool for my business, by engaging with your community and building relationships, you are not only marketing your business but yourself. If customers love what they bought they will definitely return and bring you more clientele by spreading the word.   

Online Marketing and Social Media

Develop a website (We used Weebly for Legacy Cakery) or create a Facebook business page to drive interest in your bakery operation. 

You can Tweet about upcoming specials and post Instagram pictures of your latest product to gain followers and potential sales.

You can also start a YouTube page showing your journey or teach others how to bake!  

Sell or Sponsor at Local Events or Venues

Take this time to open your business to new areas by selling or sponsoring local events and venues. The more you make your products visible the more potential client base you can build. You can do free samples and take email addresses to add to your mailing list.

Once you figure out your target market and the type of products you want to sell and bake, be sure to you comply with the local and state restrictions in your area. 

Attending Baking Trade Shows and Expos

Attending a baking trade show was a fantastic way for us to gain valuable experience in the baking industry.  

By attending these events, you will have the opportunity to meet and network with other professionals in the field, discover new products and trends, attend educational seminars and workshops, and even grow your own business.  

Attending baking trade shows and expos is a great investment for anyone in the baking industry, so be sure to check out the next event in your area and see what opportunities await! 

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Benefits of Online Baking Classes 

In recent years, the popularity of online baking courses has soared, and it’s easy to see why.  

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, online baking courses provide a wealth of benefits that can boost your skills, knowledge, and even your earning potential. 

Despite having many years of experience in baking, I decided to enroll in several courses to further enhance my skills. These courses included Wilton decorating classes, online courses, and even private cake-decorating lessons with Chelsweets!  

My husband was also impressed with my progress and decided to take several Wilton classes himself. We both firmly believe in the value of continuing education to continually improve and master your craft. 

Here are some of the top benefits of taking online baking courses: 

Flexibility: Online baking courses are incredibly flexible, allowing you to study at your own pace and on your own schedule. This makes them perfect for busy individuals who want to fit baking into their hectic lives. 

Access to Expertise: With online baking courses, you’ll be learning from seasoned professionals who have years of experience and expertise in the field. This means you’ll gain access to valuable tips, techniques, and tricks that you might not have learned otherwise. 

Variety of Courses: Online baking courses come in a variety of formats, including video tutorials, live webinars, and written lessons. This means you can pick the format that suits your learning style and preferences best. 

Cost-effective: Online baking courses are often much more affordable than traditional in-person classes. You won’t have to pay for travel, accommodation, or materials, and many courses offer affordable pricing plans. 

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5 Ways to Make Money Baking

Now let’s talk about how to make money baking. Baking is not just a hobby; it can also be a lucrative business opportunity. Here are some tips on how to make money baking: 

1. Start a Home-based Bakery

If you have a passion for baking, starting a home-based bakery is a great way to turn your passion into a profit. You can start by selling your baked goods to friends and family, and then gradually expand your customer base through word-of-mouth and social media marketing. 

2. Sell Baked Goods Online

With the rise of e-commerce platforms, it’s easier than ever to sell baked goods online. You can set up an online store and sell your baked goods through platforms like Etsy, Amazon, or your own website. 

3. Offer Baking Classes

Sharing your baking knowledge through teaching is a great way to make money. You can offer in-person or online baking classes, or even create and sell your own online baking courses. 

4. Catering

Catering is another way to make money baking. You can offer your services for events like weddings, birthdays, and corporate events, or even partner with local restaurants and cafes to supply them with baked goods. 

5. Baking Influencer 

Becoming a baking influencer can be a profitable way to monetize your passion for baking. To get started, identify your niche, build your social media presence, engage with your audience, and monetize your content through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services. Stay true to your brand and values to build a loyal following.  

For example, Amy Droubay (@neuroticmom) is a former professional ballerina who has successfully transitioned into a baking influencer. With over 104K subscribers on YouTube, over 773K followers on Instagram, and over 588,000 followers on Facebook, she has established a significant following in the online baking community. In addition to her passion for baking, Amy is a wife, a mother of five, an avid tennis player, and a ballet director.  

Amy’s baking journey has taken her to new heights, and she is now a renowned YouTuber who shares her passion for baking with her audience. Her delicious recipes, fun tutorials, and engaging personality have captured the hearts of many, making her a beloved figure in the baking community. 

On top of creating amazing baking content for her followers, Amy also offers aspiring bakers even more value. She sells premium memberships for her online baking school through her social platforms.  

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Conclusion

Making money from baking is not just for professional bakers, but also for moms with a full-time jobs.  

With a little bit of planning, creativity, and dedication, you can turn your passion for baking into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time business.  

From starting a home-based bakery and selling baked goods online to offering baking classes, catering, and baking influencer there are many ways to monetize your baking skills.  

The key is to start small, experiment with different ideas, and gradually build your customer base.  

As I usually say to my clients, “Making people happy is what I do, and bringing joy to others, without a doubt, brings a smile to my face.“

Remember, baking is not just a hobby but also a lucrative business opportunity, so why not turn your passion into profit today? 

I try to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting to make the process as easy as possible for all of our clients.

You can expect that every time you contact us for whatever the occasion, in addition to quality homemade baked goods our job is to make it a little sweeter through Legacy Cakery.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog, until next time, Happy Reading.  

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