A Sweet Slice of Summer: How to Enjoy the Season While Your Cake Business Runs Smoothly

Summer is calling, and whether it’s a walk in the sun, a weekend getaway, or just a quiet moment with an iced coffee, cake artists deserve to enjoy the season as much as anyone else. But for so many of us, summer doesn’t feel like a break—it feels like juggling client messages, forgotten invoices, and late-night prep in a hot kitchen. Or even worse, we can´t unwind and relax because we feel guilty for taking a break and missing out on clients and orders.

What if this summer could feel different? What if your business kept running smoothly while you took time to relax and recharge? Doesn’t it sound great?

What does cake business management look like?

Running a cake business involves far more than baking and decorating. From answering inquiries to updating social media, placing supply orders, managing payments, and coordinating deliveries, it’s easy to feel like there’s always something left undone.

But here’s the truth: with the right admin habits and simple systems in place, you can create space for both rest and growth.

The Power of Systems and Planning

Running a cake business isn’t just about creating delicious masterpieces—it’s also about juggling quotes, replying to inquiries, organizing your production schedule, placing ingredient orders, sending invoices, and keeping up with marketing. When these administrative tasks are handled reactively or without structure, they can quickly consume your time and spill into your evenings and weekends, robbing you of the personal freedom that likely inspired you to work for yourself in the first place.

That’s where systems and planning become your best friends. Think of systems as the behind-the-scenes support that keeps your business running smoothly, even when you're out enjoying the sunshine.

 By setting up templates for quoting, automating email responses or invoices, and creating weekly routines for social media and order management, you reduce decision fatigue and streamline your workload.

Let’s say you’re a home-based cake artist who juggles client orders, social media, and family life. With a solid system in place, your Mondays might be reserved for admin work: replying to inquiries with pre-written email templates, reviewing orders for the week, updating your calendar, and scheduling your social media posts in one batch.

 Tuesdays and Wednesdays could be for prepping decorations and baking, while Thursdays and Fridays are for assembling and final touches. Saturdays are reserved for pickups and deliveries, and Sundays—for you.

 By blocking your time and using repeatable workflows, you eliminate last-minute scrambles and create breathing room.

Planning and systems don’t take away your creativity—they protect it. And best of all, they allow you to step away from the kitchen for a summer afternoon at the beach without worrying your business will fall apart while you’re gone.

Let’s examine five admin habits that can help you reclaim your summer.

·       Weekly Planning: Block time for admin so it doesn’t sneak into evenings or weekends.

·       Quote & Invoice Templates: Save hours by creating reusable documents.

·       Cake Calendar: Keep a clear view of orders, deadlines, and availability.

·       Client Workflow Checklist: Know where each client/order is in the process.

·       Batch Content Creation: Schedule social media in advance and stay visible even when on the beach!

·       And above all, it is ok to take a break! Just let your clients know that you won´t be available and when you are coming back, so you can relax and enjoy your summer.

Let Summer Inspire Better Business Habits. The longer days, lighter schedules, and a general sense of slowing down are actually better for you and your business. For cake artists, this can be a golden opportunity to not only rest but to reset. If your order calendar is a bit lighter during these months, embrace that space to reflect and recharge your business mindset.

Start by reviewing what’s been working well in your business and what hasn’t. Are there areas where you constantly feel rushed or overwhelmed? Are your pricing systems clear and effective? Do you spend more time chasing emails than actually decorating cakes? Use this breathing room to take an honest inventory. Sometimes, just acknowledging what drains your energy is the first step toward change.

Summer is also the perfect moment to reflect on your ideal work/life balance. Think about what your dream week would look like. Would you prefer fewer custom orders but more profit per cake? Would you enjoy having specific days off to spend with family or explore new hobbies? This season can be your cue to reimagine your business around the life you truly want.

And here’s a powerful idea: take yourself on a mini business retreat—even if it's just one afternoon. Step away from the kitchen, head to your favorite café or a quiet space at home, and spend a few focused hours planning. Tidy up your digital files, revisit your goals, streamline your order forms, and brainstorm new offerings for fall. That single day of clarity can set the tone for the rest of your year—and help you walk into the busier months feeling organized, empowered, and inspired.

While you take the time to reflect, try this journaling prompt to help you get some clarity for the future of your cake business:

"If I could design the perfect week in my cake business, what would it look like? What would I stop doing, what would I delegate, and what would I do more of to feel both successful and fulfilled?"

Take 15 minutes to journal your thoughts. You might be surprised by the clarity that comes when you pause and reflect intentionally.

So, are you ready to make this summer the season you finally get organized?

Imagine having a space where you can learn how to manage your cake business like a pro, without the overwhelm. My upcoming Cake Business Management Membership is designed to give you the tools, templates, support, and step-by-step guidance to build a business that works for you, not the other way around.

Think: weekly planning help, admin tips, goal setting, accountability, and a community that gets it.
Stay tuned, the doors open soon!

Summer isn’t just for slowing down—it’s also the perfect time to pause, reflect, and build better habits for your business. Whether it’s streamlining your systems, planning ahead, or simply dreaming about a more balanced work-life rhythm, small intentional changes now can bring big results later.
So go ahead, enjoy the sunshine and ice cream… and feel confident knowing that your cake business is getting the structure it needs to thrive year-round.
Here’s to a season of sweet success and simplicity!

And as always, stay safe and stay Creative,

Love,

Cristina

From Cake Chaos to Clarity

6 Questions Every Cake Artist Needs to Answer

As a cake artist, it's easy to get swept up in the daily swirl of buttercream, deadlines, and last-minute client changes. But before you dive into time management tools, scheduling apps, or trying to do it all, there’s one crucial ingredient you need to find first: Clarity.

Without a clear understanding of your business and your goals, you're just caking in the dark. So, let’s find a way to fix that with these six essential questions every cake artist should ask themselves to build a business that's aligned, scalable, and joyful to run.

Who Are You Helping?
Knowing your ideal client will determine your message and how you communicate with your customers, so be very specific about who your ideal client is. Are they busy moms? Event planners? Couples getting married? Knowing your audience helps you design your offers and your messaging with intention.

What Are You Offering?
You might love making it all, but specialization creates recognition. Are you the go-to for wedding cakes? Kids' sculpted cakes? Vegan treats? It is crucial to define your core offerings before even thinking about the management of your business.

What Makes You Special?
What is your artistic signature or strength? Do you have a USP that sets you apart from the rest? Maybe you hand-paint cakes or do jaw-dropping sugar flowers. Your uniqueness is part of your marketing superpower.

What’s the Real Value?
What do people gain from working with you and buying your product? I am sure it's not just cake — it’s a celebration, it is ease, it is joy, and the creation of memorable moments. Start thinking beyond the product.

What’s Your Purpose?
Why did you start in the first place? and I want you to be really honest on this one. What makes you feel fulfilled as a cake artist? What is the reason you are doing this? Your "why" fuels your resilience, keeps you consistent and motivated.

What’s Your Big Vision?
Is your business scalable? Where do you want to take this business? Teaching? A storefront? A cake supply line? Let yourself dream — and then begin to align your daily decisions with that dream.

The most important part of all of this is to take action, ask yourself the previous questions, and really get to know your business before you start thinking about managing it. To help you, you can download the free "Clarity Before Cake Chaos" worksheet to work through these questions and craft your pitch, not for business investors but for your own clarity.

When you know what you do and who you serve, managing your time becomes a whole lot easier.

Listen to the full podcast episode about business clarity here: The Art Cake Coach Podcast

and as always:

Stay safe and stay creative.

Love,

Cristina

The Cake Business Survival Guide

5 Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them

Running a cake business is a dream come true for many artists, but it can quickly turn into a stressful juggling act if you don’t have the right systems in place. Pricing struggles, last-minute orders, and endless customer messages—sound familiar?

The good news? These problems can be fixed!

In this blog post, we’ll go over the five biggest mistakes cake artists make and the actionable steps to take control of your business (instead of letting it control you). Let’s dive in!

Mistake #1: Saying Yes to Everything

You love making cakes, so you say yes to every request—wedding cakes, last-minute orders, cheap cakes for a friend’s cousin’s neighbor. Before you know it, you’re overbooked, underpaid, and exhausted.

The Fix: Define your ideal orders and set clear boundaries.

• Create a “Yes & No” list to clarify what types of cakes you want to make.

• Set policies: What’s your minimum order price? How much lead time do you need? Do you take last-minute orders?

• Action Step: Write a simple, polite script for declining orders that don’t fit your business. (Example: “Thank you for thinking of me! Unfortunately, I’m fully booked, but I’d love to work with you in the future. Here’s when I’ll be available again.”)

Mistake #2: Guessing Your Prices

Have you ever priced a cake based on what felt right rather than what covered your costs? You might be working for less than minimum wage without a proper pricing structure.

The Fix: Use a pricing formula that covers all costs and ensures profit.

• Calculate your true costs (ingredients, time, overhead, and profit).

• Use a pricing calculator or spreadsheet to maintain consistency.

• Action Step: Take one of your most popular cakes and break down its actual cost. Adjust your pricing if needed!

Mistake #3: Trying to Do It All Alone

From baking to marketing to handling customer messages, you’re wearing all the hats—and it’s burning you out.

The Fix: Automate and delegate wherever possible.

• Set up automated responses for frequently asked questions.

• Use order forms to streamline the booking process.

• Action Step: Create an FAQ highlight on Instagram to reduce the number of repetitive DMs you receive.

Mistake #4: Running Without Systems

You’re constantly in reactive mode, scrambling to complete orders, forgetting to post on social media, and missing important business tasks.

The Fix: Use a system to keep track of orders and plan ahead.

• Use a planner, Google Sheets, or a business management tool (like Notion or Trello) to track orders and deadlines.

• Have a weekly planning session to review upcoming orders, shopping lists, and business tasks.

• Action Step: Set aside 30 minutes this week to create an Order Workflow Checklist so you never miss a step again.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Personal Time

If you’re working late nights, skipping meals, and canceling personal plans to finish cakes, you’re on the fast track to burnout.

The Fix: Set boundaries and schedule personal time like you schedule orders.

• Set official work hours—and stick to them.

• Prioritize rest, hobbies, and family time. A well-rested cake artist is a better cake artist!

• Action Step: Choose one personal activity to add back into your routine this week (a hobby, a coffee break, a real day off!).

Your Cake Business, Your Rules

You’re not just a cake artist—you’re a business owner. And successful businesses thrive on boundaries, smart pricing, organization, and self-care.

Which of these mistakes have you made in your cake business? Let’s chat in the comments! And if you need more guidance, download my Cake Business Survival Checklist to help you stay on track.

And let me invite you to listen to this full episode on The Art Cake Coach Podcast

as always, stay safe and stay creative!

love,

Cristina

Goal Setting for Cake Artists: Start the Year with a Clear Plan

Hello, my sweet friends, a new year feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? It’s a time to reflect, dream, and decide how you want your business to grow. But let’s be honest—dreaming is the easy part. Turning those dreams into reality? That takes planning. As a cake artist, you already juggle so many roles: creator, marketer, manager, and maybe even delivery driver. That’s why setting clear, achievable goals is the first step toward a successful and less stressful year.

Let’s dive into some tips on making you take control of your business with goals that inspire and energize you, rather than weigh you down

Why Goal Setting Matters

Setting goals isn’t just about writing a list of things you want to achieve. It’s about giving yourself direction and purpose.

Without clear goals, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day hustle, feeling like you’re working hard but not getting anywhere. Setting goals can help you:

• Stay Focused, with a clear outcome it is easier to stay on track and avoid distractions.

• Measure Progress is key to keep you motivated.

• Grow Strategically: Instead of chasing every opportunity, you can prioritize what aligns with your vision.

There are many types of goals you can set as a cake artists. Think of your goals as layers in a cake: each one builds on the next. Take a look at these three types of goals:

1. Long-Term Goals (This is your big vision)
   These are your “dreams” goals that might take a year or more to achieve, like:

• Opening your own cake studio.

• Launching a line of online classes.

• Reaching a specific income milestone.

2. Medium-Term Goals (Building Blocks)
   These goals will help you get closer to your long-term goals. For instance:

• Developing a new menu of signature cakes.

• Growing your social media following.

• Upgrading your photography skills for better marketing.

3. Short-Term Goals (Quick Wins)
   These are actionable steps you can achieve in the next month or quarter, like:

• Organizing your workspace.

• Testing three new recipes for Valentine’s Day.

• Updating your website portfolio.

Now, let’s take a look of how to Set Achievable Goals
I like to use the SMART method when setting goals—it stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Let’s break it down:

• Specific: Instead of saying, “I want more customers,” try “I want to book three wedding cake orders each month.”

• Measurable: How will you know if you've achieved your goal? Set specific metrics to track your progress.

• Achievable: Be ambitious, but realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure.

• Relevant: Your goals should align with your overall vision for your business.

• Time-bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable.

Here are some tips to set achievable goals:

1. Set Realistic Goals: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Set goals that are challenging but achievable according to your knowledge and resources or even goals that you know you can work towards achieving or learning skills to make them happen.

2. Break Them Down: Large goals can seem daunting. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Set milestones to achieve and create a timeline for your goals.

3. Review and Adjust: Regularly review your goals and make adjustments as needed. It is ok to change or pivot if something is not working.

And remember:

1. Dream Big: What are your long-term goals for your cake business? Write them down.

2. Break It Down: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, achievable steps.

3. Create a Plan: Develop a detailed plan for achieving your goals.

4. Take Action: Start working on your goals today.

5. Track Your Progress: Keep track of your progress and celebrate your successes.

Here are some tools to help you stay on track
You don’t have to figure this all out alone! There are many tools and apps to choose from in order to get your goals set, however, I would love to share some of my favorite tools

Planners and Calendars: A good planner can help you break down big goals into smaller tasks. like the Time Management Planner for Cake Artists, specially tailored by me after listening to your needs and being in this industry for 17 years.

• Apps: Tools like Trello or Asana are great for keeping track of your projects, or simply use a template from Google Sheets or Excell to keep your goals in check.

• Accountability: Share your goals with a fellow cake artist or join a community to stay motivated. Our beloved Cake Friends Stay Creative community, as well as the big Saraccino family, are here to give you that peer support.

Now, I love setting goals at the beginning of the year ( even before the previous year ends). Here is my personal Goal-Setting ritual

I take a day to sit down with a cup of tea (or maybe hot chocolate—it’s still winter, after all!) and reflect on the previous year. I celebrate the wins, big and small, and look honestly at what didn’t work.

I follow these steps with a session of gratitude journaling. Here I write down all the things I am grateful for, good and bad, because we even learn from mistakes and I can turn downfalls into a reason to be grateful. Then, I brainstorm where I want to go next and map out the steps to get there.

I also give myself permission to adjust as the year goes on. Goals are a guide, not a prison. Sometimes, life happens, and that’s okay. What matters is having a plan to start with.

Remember that if you need any help on setting achievable goals, The Art Cake Coach offers you lot´s of tools, information and even podcast episodes that can help you to start the year.

So my sweet friend, this year, I challenge you to take an hour—just one hour—to write down your goals. Make them bold but manageable. Dream big, but also think practically about how you’ll make those dreams happen.

Goal setting is a journey, not a destination. Don't get discouraged if you don't achieve all of your goals right away. Just keep taking action and you will see progress.

Remember, every masterpiece starts with a plan. Let’s make 2025 your most successful year yet, one goal at a time.

And as always, Stay Safe and Stay Creative!