Heaven’s homebaked cakes a Self Employed baker

Life as a Self Employed Baker with Heaven’s Homebaked Cakes

Many of us dream of turning our hobby into a career, and by becoming a self employed baker that’s just what Suze has done,

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?

I’m Suze and I am very lucky to have my partner, my daughter Libby who’s twelve and our little shihtzu Buzzby in our little family.

 

What’s your business called?

It’s called Heaven’s Homebaked Cakes. I just had to use my surname Heaven, in my business name.

 

Can you describe it in one sentence?

I love to create and bake celebration cakes, cupcakes, bakes, takeaway afternoon teas and postal bakes.

 

When did you become a Self employed baker and what inspired you?

I started my business in August 2018. I felt inspired by the Sugarcraft and cake decorating course I was doing for fun at the time, and wanted to do more of it whilst earning money!

 

How did you fund your start up?

I started small using some of the money I had been left in an inheritance. I thought it was a good use of the money.

 

How do you manage working around your children?

My daughter started high school in September so that has given me time during the day to devote to growing and working on my business.

 

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

A typical day starts with checking and responding to Facebook messages and notifications, and posting at the start of the day. The morning is usually when I bake, whilst simultaneously posting and checking messages, the afternoon is usually decorating or making cake decorations. It depends on the orders I have that week. I tend to plan my week out on a Monday morning. I do get out and about sometimes too, to networking events and sell my cakes at a local toddler group, so sometimes I’m doing that.

 

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

Getting to grips with the financial side is a big challenge for me. I’m hopeless with numbers and have to ask for help from my partner. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to prioritise as there’s so many things to do but I love the variety and I love only having myself to be accountable to.

 

What’s the best thing about being

Being your own boss. Flexibility. Working in the way you want to work.

 

What are your plans for the future?

To become more profitable! To work more of a regular working day and have more time off in the evenings! To develop my network of local businesses who I work with.

 

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?

You need to have perseverance a plenty and be determined to succeed. Do your research, know the market. Customise your products around current trends. Network and work with other small businesses.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

I love it! Running your own business doing something you love is the best!

Please search for: Heaven’s Homebaked Cakes on Facebook. If you’re not local to Yaxley, Peterborough, I do also offer postal Bakes in a Box, brownies, millionaires shortbread and flapjacks. These come with first class post and a personalised postcard.

If you’d like to read about other self employed bakers, check out our food business stories.