I was looking at starting a little business out of my house but I didn't know if this was something fellow Mom's would feel comfortable doing or not, so I wanted to see what your thoughts on this would be. It would be more referrals from friends so not really strangers - more neighbors, friends/relatives of neighbors, etc. Keeping it small and only specialty times/occassions.
I used to teach cake decorating but had to stop due to having kids. But now, I'd like to get back into it but teaching out of my house instead of a local store and only doing specialty things like borders, flowers, tips and tricks, etc. Is that something that you think someone would do - take a class out of someone's house. And what would you expect to pay for a 2 hour lesson - $10 or $20? I was thinking of having a small supplies list for people to bring to class, but I'd provide the frosting/fondant/things like that.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Yes, I would. And if it's $20 I'll pay it! You can maybe get the party idea going. Have someone host it with a group of friends and go to one of their houses!
I would say more like $30 or $40 for a two-hour class. If it's too cheap, then it devalues your expertise. Given your previous experience, I don't think having it out of your house would be an issue, other than any business restrictions in your city (ours only allows one business related car/customer at a house at a time with a home-based business). Definitely check with business licensing to see if the idea is feasible.
I think it's an awesome idea and if you're comfortable with it being out of your house, go for it!! Good for you. I would have no hesitancy coming to your home. More and more people are working out of their homes.
It's a specialty class and I think well-worth $20. Don't minimize your experience and expertise. Rather than lower your rates, think of how you can add value to the experience that doesn't require $ on your part. Perhaps website links for decorating ideas and recipes or where to get supplies. Offer some coffee or tea and have a great time!!!
I wouldn't be comfortable having strangers in my house, though!! I would be worried about my privacy and valuable/sentimental items. If it's not something you're worried about, then totally go for it! I think there would definitely be a market for it. Whether or not strangers in your home worries you, it is something to at least consider.
What a GREAT idea! I would totally pay $20 per lesson. Unless your supplies list exceeds $10 then I wouldn't go below 20 bucks.
I think it would be fun to market to groups of women....and men! My husband and I do a joint effort in our kids birthday cakes and I know several men who love to cook, bake and decorate.
You could offer couples classes, theme classes, beginner, intermediate and advanced classes......the opportunities are endless!
I wish you the best of luck!
Personally I would be pretty reluctant to go to someones house I do not know for a cake decorating class. ALso have you considered that you will likely need a license to do this along with an inspection of your home by the Health Dept periodically adn they have high standards. In addition have you looked into your homeowners insurance because of liability that you could incurr if someone is hurt on your property who is taking the class. If you are a good baker why not rent a tiny retail space in your area and open a cupcake shop /gourmet bakery shop. THis way you could then do classes on decorating there when you have down time. Very small cupcake shops are popping up here in several spots and they seem to be a big hit. Specialty cupcakes are about $2.50-$3.50 each and you can custom order too. The space you would need to have a small kitchen and display case for your baked goods would be minimal. Just an idea.
How exciting and YES people would do that BUT are you comfortable with having strange people in your house? Now here's a suggestion - many homeschooling families are looking for things like that to do as part of their curriculum. If you market to them or if you travel to their co-ops or groups, you could do set your price per child and that would be a great way to help yourself and them out too. You would have to cut the lesson times down a bit and the fee because it would be for kids but you just may have stumbled on to something there. :) You could also teach thru your local school district continuing ed or local recreation dept. That's how I got my piano lesson business started and ended up opening a studio with 8 teachers, over 200 kids and 4 satellite programs :) GO FOR IT GIRL!
This is a GREAT idea-cakes are so on trend right now with all of the "cake" reality shows on TV. If I were you I would capitalize on that some how...maybe "Be your own cake boss!" Or Cake Mom! Whatever...I think it will really sell. These shows are a huge hit with kids also( my little boys LOVE Cake Boss for some reason) You may think of doing one tailored to them. Something cool with fondant and rice krispies like the cake boss does. I can see this being a great birthday party idea for little girls.
Is there a community center or library that you could hold it in? I am just not sure if you really want to advertise and then get strangers in your house. Or maybe you just want to be word of mouth and keep it small and thats OK too. I have a marketing background and tend to go overboard!
I would charge at least $15 per hour.
If you lived near me I would rather pay you to make and decorate my cake!
I would love to take that class and I wouldnt mind going to someones house to do (if its a female probably woulnt go to males house). I would pay $20 for 2 hour session as well. Basic Wiltons class at Joanns is $27 so depending on what you want people to bring you should adjust cost for that. If they need bags ans tips then $15-$20 if its a little more then the price should come down a little more. Wish you lived here I would sign up :)
Good for you.
Good luck!
Why not?
Just try it.
Although I think you can charge more. Definitely MORE than $10.
I went to several cake decorating classes hosted by Wilton, but held at Hobby Lobby and I highly doubt the health inspector came once, if any (that place was filthy). I want to say we met for 2 hours every Saturday for 4 Saturdays and I maybe wrong, but I want to say we paid about $40.00 for the whole class. At the end, we did get a certificate stating that we passed the class (which was pretty useless unless of course we wanted to go forward and teach).
So, with that, I think it's an awesome idea. It can get messy (as I'm sure you know), so I would just be flexible and see if you get any takers at your house and then open it to girls night out in which they would be able to host it at their house. I do think it would be fun and I think you can put a cap on it and say 100.00 for 2 hour class and you will be willing to teach up to say 6 people. So, if they bring 4, each person can pay $20.00 with the host getting their lesson for free (an incentive for hosting).
Obviously, they wont get a certificate, BUT as I said, it was more about the learning experience than the certificate.
Good luck!
I'd come, sounds like fun. Check out meetup.com to see if you have any in your area (or Cafe Mom group) and talk to others about having it in your home. Or why not even go to other people's homes - like Southern Living at Home party? Perhaps even do it with a Southern Living presenter or Pampered chef of some such?
I think people would be interested, but you never know until you try! Maybe you could hook up with a local PTO group or something from the school or through a church group for some contacts and see how it goes. As far as price, I don't know how much they charge at the stores. try to keep it comparable.
What about you going to their home and doing a home show? Not sure about the legalities of food licensing. I'd come, or host one. I'm in St. Charles.
