One of the most empowering truths about running your own cake business is this: it doesn’t have to look like mine, or anyone else’s—and that’s the beauty of it. You’re in control.
Yes, there are important non-negotiables when it comes to running a food-based business. Food safety, hygiene regulations, business registration, record keeping, and money management are essential foundations. These are the rules we all need to follow, and thankfully, they’re relatively straightforward when you take them step by step.
But everything else? That’s up to you.
You get to decide:
What you bake
When you bake it
How much you charge
The hours you work
Whether you stay small or go big
And that’s where the magic lies.
Too often, cake business owners feel like they should do things a certain way. Maybe you’ve felt pressured by customer requests, expectations from friends and family, or even the “standard model” of what a cake business should look like—constantly busy, never saying no, booked out for months.
But let’s get real: self-employment is not one-size-fits-all. It never was, and it never should be.
What might your dream baking business look like?
Only want to work three mornings a week? You can do that.
Want to build a commercial kitchen, hire a team, and ship postal treats nationwide? You can do that.
Prefer to keep things simple and sell home-style bakes without ever decorating a cake? You can do that too.
Whatever your vision, it’s valid. Your cake business should fit your lifestyle, energy, and long-term goals—not the other way around.
Of course, once you’ve got the vision, you’ll need to map it out. Consider the costs, the tools, the time, and the return. Planning is key—but that doesn’t mean you need all the answers before you start. The beauty of running your own baking business is that it can grow and evolve as your life and circumstances change.
You’re the boss. That means you get to choose—and change—the model as you go.
So if you’re dreaming of starting a cake business—or you’ve already started and feel like it’s running you instead of the other way around—pause for a moment. Check in with your values. Ask yourself: What do I want this business to look like for me?
Because the only right way to run your cake business is the one that works for you.