Cheryl covers why the urge to buy new tools and equipment is so strong for cake makers, and why acting on it too early works against you. She shares her own experience of buying things she barely used, explains what you actually need when you are starting out, and gives you a simple way to decide whether a purchase is worth making right now.

The episode also connects equipment spending back to pricing. When your pricing is structured to generate profit, that profit becomes the fund you draw from for future investment. It is a cycle that builds a business sustainably rather than one you keep propping up with personal money.

If you are struggling pricing your cakes download the Free Cake Pricing calculator - https://bit.ly/Cakepricingcalculator

Follow on social media;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Q09K8PK6bqw

Have you ever put real time and effort into a cake enquiry, only for the customer to go elsewhere? Or spent time designing a cake for someone who never actually booked?

In this episode, Cheryl shares what used to happen in her own business before she changed her process, and why taking a booking fee before doing any work is one of the most important things you can do to protect your time and your business.

In this episode we cover:

• Why doing the work before the fee is paid puts you in a vulnerable position
• What a booking fee actually represents beyond the money
• When detailed design conversations should really be happening
• How to structure your process so you are protected from the start

A short but important one for any cake maker who wants to run a more structured and professional business.

Resources Mentioned

Tier & Co Cake Management Software. Manage your bookings and orders in one place. Try it free for 14 days at https://tierandcocakemanagement.co.uk

If you are struggling pricing your cakes download the Free Cake Pricing calculator - https://bit.ly/Cakepricingcalculator

Follow on social media;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy/

Or watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1d_LjiD9PsY

In this episode, Cheryl explores one of the most underrated visibility strategies available to wedding cake makers; building genuine relationships with other wedding suppliers and venues, and explains why referrals and recommendations from trusted sources convert into bookings more effectively than almost any other form of marketing.

This episode follows on from Episode 6, which introduced the full range of visibility channels available to cake makers, and goes deeper on the practical side of supplier relationship building.

Cheryl covers:

- Why venue recommendations and supplier referrals carry a level of trust that social media cannot replicate
- Which wedding suppliers are most valuable to build relationships with, including venues, florists, photographers, wedding planners, and bridal boutiques
- Why the approach to building these relationships matters, it is about genuine connection, not asking for referrals
- How the relationship works both ways, recommending other trusted suppliers to your own couples builds reciprocal trust and strengthens your position as a well connected professional
- Practical ways to start and nurture supplier relationships, including sharing their work, attending industry events, and being consistently professional
- Why supplier relationships are a long term investment that builds over time and creates a more resilient business
- How to track which supplier connections are generating the most enquiries and bookings, and how Tier & Co's Connect and Grow feature helps you manage, engage with, and follow up on those relationships in one place

Resources mentioned in this episode include Tier & Co Cake Management Software, which includes a dedicated Connect and Grow section for tracking supplier relationships, engagement tips, and follow-up prompts, all alongside your enquiries and bookings in one place.

A 14-day free trial is available via the link below.

https://tierandcocakemanagement.co.uk

If you are struggling pricing your cakes download the Free Cake Pricing calculator - https://bit.ly/Cakepricingcalculator

Follow on social media;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylbottomleycakeacademy/

Or watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1d_LjiD9PsY