First time cupcake business... need help to make a good start?

Question

My wife has recently started her home based cupcake business and is participating in an exhibition.....the organisers say that based on last year’s data they are expecting approx 2000 to 3000 people. She is planning to make 900 cupcakes for this event. The sales of the cakes would break even here costs only just and giver her little profit. It is important to mention here that she is the only person who would make cupcakes and frosting and will do the decoration as well....although she has two other family members who will be assisting her including me.

Is it reasonable here to expect that out of 2000 people at least 900 will buy her cupcakes?
Does anyone know how early she can freeze cupcakes and buttercream frosting in order to save time? After defrosting what is the expected life of a cupcake?

She does feel that this is a great opportunity for her business to really take off and the vibes she is getting from her heart are 'do or die but at the same time she is a little scared as well. If it goes well, I plan to quit my job and give my full time support to her in the business. Any advice would be much appreciated. She is rather nervous

Answer 1

I would be nervous, too!

It is a great idea, cupcake shops are getting quite popular, best of luck to your wife and you.

The other answers have sort of spurred some ideas that I would sum up for you.

One out of four buying a cupcake is a safe bet, maybe you guys can reduce the number to 600-700?

Depending on how soon the expo is, perhaps a test batch would tell you how long you can freeze those puppies... that, or do a web search. There is a lot of info out there!

Another idea I had is searching your community for a community kitchen that may have access to larger facilities, in terms of the oven sizes and freezer capacity. You can research that in your phonebook or the internet, too.

I don't know if this helped, but I just wanted to offer some ideas.

Again, good luck!!! Just thinking about cupcakes makes me hungry for them!!

Answer 2

Personally I think this is something that she should persue since the cost of producing 900 cupcakes is relatively low compared to the starts of some other businesses, but expecting to become "big time" is a little too optimistic at this phase in the business.



My friend for example, she makes pound cakes in the south, in Georgia to be exact. They're crazy over poundcakes there I guess. Anyways, she takes orders every few weeks then bakes a big batch. She has regular, lemon and chocolate. She makes an extra few hundred dollars a month doing this. It is definitely not something she can live off of.



To make it big time, you have to imagine that you would need to have something much different and better than every other cupcake maker, so what makes your wifes cupcakes so special? (lol I just realized that sounds funny, anyways..) If she has a good feeling, then go with it but don't go quitting jobs over it or expecting a huge profit. Unless she really has something special and word of mouth gets the news out that shes the best cupcake maker around, she will be lucky to make a few hundred bucks.



PS...my aunt works in a bakery and to speed things up and become more efficient they started getting their cupcakes and sheet cakes in frozen. Not sure how they process them at the factory before sending them to the bakery but they are always good. I agree with the garlic comment though, you don't want to use the same freezer that could add nasty flavors to the cupcakes. Thats as bad as having onion flavored ice cubes :P blah Anyways I also know that you can refrigerate well-sealed icing for 1-2 weeks depending on the kind so that would help I'm sure.

Answer 3

You cant freeze cupcakes cakes go hard in the freezer and are easily contaminated by other food in there...you don't want a garlic taint, I know what I'm talking about as I make cakes for the W.I. ..also there are food hygiene issues here, she wont need a certificate for a one off event, but will for a regular thing...so...she'll have to make them all in a night...this can be done...cup cakes are now old fashioned, she needs to consider that one in four may buy and provide napkins, plates etc...and has she thought of the eggs...she must use free range eggs otherwise no one will buy, people with children will not buy cakes with artificial colouring...I'm afraid I cant see this being a viable business that can support two people...perhaps just a sideline type of thing.

Answer 4

dude, are you seriuous,





a cupcake business, you have to sell much more than that like have a bakery, i don;t like the sound of this one at all.