Haf Saba Haf Saba

The hardest part of running your own business.

In our business journey, the hardest thing we've faced is to "keep going.” Despite doubt, imposter syndrome, copy cats, and uncertainties, we persist.

"Keep going" has been our mantra, resonating through challenges like dealing with damaged stock, navigating COVID-induced shipping hurdles, and facing doubts about our expertise in a new market. We've also weathered stock shortages and the painstaking process of overcoming thousands of damaged packages coming to us via ocean freight.

At the end, we coming back to our 'why' and why we wanted to start this business.  It’s simple, here’s why:

  • The feeling of anxiety experienced when delivering cakes in flimsy boxes, 

  • The inadequacy we felt when delivering a cake in a makeshift box, expecting the customer to be wowed by our cakes 

  • The anxiety we felt waiting to hear if the cake/cupcakes had made it to the end destination in one piece. 

  • We wanted to feel proud of our products and help others feel the same.

When everything goes wrong around us, we always call to our "why" and remember that we do this for everyone who has ever felt inadequate or not enough. It's more than a box; it's a gateway to happiness and feeling good enough about your work and art!

Looking back on our business journey, we see challenges not as roadblocks but as part of the path, shaping our growth. Sometimes, the biggest challenge is just taking one step at a time, persistently chasing the dream that got us started.

If you’re facing a challenge in your life remember the hardest thing to do is “keep going.” Break it down into small steps and keep moving. Each step is a win, a sign of your strength.

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The first year in business: Lessons learned from our startup journey.

Starting a business is an exhilarating journey, filled with highs and inevitable lows. As we reflect on our first year (we’re now in year FOUR!), we want to share the unfiltered truth about the mistakes we made and the invaluable lessons they taught us.

1. Finding the Right Manufacturer

The first hurdle was finding a reliable manufacturer, and it wasn't as straightforward as anticipated. Initial shipments brought damaged products and financial setbacks. Lesson learned: Connecting with contacts in Asia, we secured a trustworthy set of manufacturers, implemented damage control processes, and enlisted local support.

You cannot assume anything goes to plan, so take your time and prepare for all scenarios as they come along. You won’t know them all at first but you’ll soon learn!

2. External Packaging Matters

Underestimating the significance of external packaging led to numerous damaged items during shipping. Here, we tested various packing methods and went for more than we probably need only because we want to make sure items get to you safely without any damage from all sorts of knocks, bumps, and throws along the way!

3. Navigating Stock Demands

Predicting product demand accurately proved challenging. Misjudgments meant we would be out of stock a lot and also costly measures like air freighting during Covid disruptions to try and quickly recover were definitely not ideal fixes. Over time, we refined our understanding, improved stock management, and leveraged better market data for a smoother supply chain.

Lessons as Building Blocks

These mistakes were essential building blocks, shaping us into a more resilient business. Each challenge taught us something valuable, contributing to our growth. Looking back, these early missteps are stepping stones toward improvement.

Yet, we're still making mistakes, and each one guides us to rethink, pivot, and try something different. With no large team, much of it involves thinking on our feet. After all, we haven't reached a six-figure revenue business without those mistakes.

For Those Considering a 2024 Business

If you're contemplating starting a business in 2024, be prepared to make a lot of mistakes. Don't take them personally; instead, view them as opportunities to learn and build a better, more resilient business.

You will make mistakes. You will fail at somethings. You need to be more patient. Understand this and you’ll get over most of your hurdles with ease.

Embrace the journey, and remember, the path to success is often paved with lessons learned.

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The Number 1 Time Drain in My Baking Business and How I Turned It Around

Running a successful baking business comes with its unique set of challenges, and one significant hurdle is the time-consuming process of pricing up cakes and managing customer quotations. However, with the right tools and technology you can streamline this aspect of your business. Here are three strategies I implemented to regain control of my time and enhance efficiency.

1. A Smart Pricing System

Implementing a Smart Pricing System was a game-changer. Crafting a well-designed formula that incorporates all relevant data, including ingredients, labour, and overhead costs, is crucial. Tools Google Sheets are invaluable in creating a comprehensive calculation. It’s an eye-opener when you realise all the costs that go into making the cake vs. what you charge for it! And if you're stuck, why not leverage the power of AI chatbots like ChatGPT for personalised and efficient calculations? You can even ask them to make the spreadsheet for you!

Key point: Knowing how much it costs YOU to make a cake helps you understand what you need to change when you factor in your hourly rate.

2, Letting Automation Help:

The quoting process, often bogged down by back-and-forth communication, received a significant boost through automation. Utilising auto messengers in Facebook or Instagram chats, emails, or even chatbots on my website, meant I could efficiently handle common inquiries. Implementing a well-structured questionnaire not only accelerated the quoting process but also added a professional touch to customer interactions. Linking to an online survey creator or Google form can further streamline the gathering of essential information.

Key point: Stop typing the same messages over and over again. Get your auto-responder to ask the common questions you need answering up front!

3,Setting Clear Expectations:

To filter inquiries and set the stage for serious customers, I focused on setting clear expectations. This included establishing a minimum order price. Displaying upfront pricing on my website proved to be a powerful strategy, cutting through initial inquiries and allowing me to concentrate on clients genuinely interested in my services.

Key point: Having the pricing on a website, instagram highlight, or facebook page saved hours of wasted time. So many conversations would just stop once we discussed price. Having that information readily available automatically filters out those who don’t want to pay that.

For more insights and tips on leveraging technology in your baking business, be sure to check out our ebook, 'How to Leverage Tech in your Cake Business in 2024

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Haf Saba Haf Saba

Turning Cupcake Chaos into Calm: OLBAA's Cupcake Boxes to the Rescue!

Do you sometimes feel that packaging cupcakes is a recipe for anxiety? I certainly do. Let me take you back to those days I used to experience with three stress-inducing reasons and how at OLBAA we decided to change the game.

1. Squeezing Cupcakes into Cupcake Teeth:

Picture this – you've just baked a batch of beautifully adorned cupcakes, and now comes the dreaded task of fitting them into those tight, unforgiving cupcake boxes. It felt like wrestling cupcakes into tiny teeth, a constant headache that stole the joy from the baking process. Who would design something like this?

2. Short Boxes and DIY Extenders:

The struggle continued with short boxes that simply couldn't accommodate taller cupcakes. Enter the era of DIY extenders – makeshift solutions to a problem that shouldn't exist. Crafting extenders became an unwanted side job, taking precious time away from the creative process. Let's not forget about the box that you end up with looking hideious!

3. Weak Bases and Cupcakes Falling over:

Delivery day was the ultimate test. Weak bases and flimsy boxes meant risking the very essence of your creations. Cupcakes toppled, decorations ruined – a heartbreaking sight before you even left the driveway.

But here's the exciting part – we decided enough was enough. OLBAA cupcake boxes were born out of the pain and anxiety we shared with many bakers. We knew there had to be a better way, and we were determined to create it.

Our cupcake boxes are more than just containers; they're the answer to your baking prayers. Say goodbye to squeezing, struggling with short boxes, and the heartbreak of cupcake casualties. With OLBAA, your cupcakes arrive in perfect condition, making the entire process a joy from start to finish.

  • No teeth!

  • Tall and strong boxes!

  • And they open into a serving tray for easy access!

Join us in the cupcake revolution – where chaos transforms into calm, one OLBAA cupcake box at a time.

You can get our cupcake boxes in the following locations:

UK & Europe

USA

Canada

Australia

Happy baking!

Rachel

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Haf Saba Haf Saba

25,000 downloads on our podcast!

Over a year ago, we embarked on a mission to create "My Baking Journey," a podcast dedicated to bringing the invaluable wisdom and experiences of the world's top home bakers directly to the kitchens of baking enthusiasts everywhere. Our goal was simple: to uncover the highs, lows, struggles, achievements, and incredible journeys of those who've mastered the art of running a successful cake business.

As we celebrate the conclusion of Season 4 and surpass 25,000 downloads, we find ourselves humbled and filled with a sense of accomplishment. The response from our dedicated listeners has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for the growing community that has embraced the podcast.

The journey has been nothing short of amazing. Each episode allowed us to delve into the unique stories and insights of renowned bakers, creating a rich tapestry of experiences. From navigating the challenges of the baking industry to savoring incredible moments of success, our guests have generously shared their knowledge, passion, and even the occasional kitchen mishap.

This milestone marks not just a numerical achievement but a testament to the shared love for baking and the power of storytelling. We've built connections, sparked inspiration, and, most importantly, celebrated the diverse voices within the baking community.

As we look ahead, we're excited about the stories yet to be told and the lessons waiting to be learned. Thank you to our guests, our listeners, and everyone who has been part of this incredible journey so far. Here's to the next chapter, filled with more delightful conversations, shared experiences, and the joy that baking brings to us all!

Here are some of our customer reviews 

Great Podcast

I listen on my way to work. So inspirational to learn what have worked for other bakers and their journey to a great business. Love the hosts!!

CakeQueen717  USA

Thank you!

What a brilliant service you are performing for our baking community. Your podcasts are entertaining, full of invaluable information and super realistic. Our career choice is heart-led and your podcast has made us feel less lonely and full of inspiration.

SugarNurseryCakeShop Canada

Music to my ears

This podcast is everything I need to hear, people that have started businesses from scratch to people doing it in their spare time. This is everything I need right now. It is possible to do anything in the cake world. There is so much help out there and this podcast shows there is a great cake community. All the guests are fantastic inspiration and a huge thanks to them all as well as @olbacakes for making this happen!

k.1.h32  UK

Fancy a listen? Head to our podcast page to see the episode list!

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E35 - Australian Cake Decorating Network founder, Liz Wright - A cake community where bakers can flourish!

It’s funny how ideas can come into your head. For Liz, the idea of a community for cake makers came to her while feeding her twins when they were 9 months old at 2 am.  That was 13 years ago.  

Liz and her team run the Australian Cake Decorating Network.  A diverse community of members who go on cake crawls, cake camps, have annual award ceremonies, and generally support each other through thick and thin.  It’s amazing.  

Liz was a baker herself but also a trained occupational therapist.  She’s had to juggle a lot.  But she’s found a way through it all and she sits with us from her office to walk us through all the ups and down. She is an inspiration.  Enjoy.

Website


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Haf Saba Haf Saba

Local Marketing ideas: 5 Strategies to grow Your Cake Business in 2024

Welcome to a promising new year for your cake business! As you gear up for 2024, let's explore practical strategies to enhance your local presence and boost your cake sales.

This isn’t about social media! It’s about thinking locally. Leveraging what’s in your city, town, and neighbourhood. This is where your customers live! Focus on making sure they know you’re nearby.

For a far more in-depth look at this, download our FREE ebook on this topic in our ebook shop.

1. Collaborate with Local Businesses:

Forge connections with neighbouring businesses to expand your reach. Engage in exclusive promotions and seasonal offers to attract a broader audience.

Are there any local business parks nearby? Consider dropping off a box of cupcakes at various offices with attached business cards. They might want you to make some basic items for parties, events, or seasonal gatherings. These don’t have to be fancy and draw from marketing budgets! This can be easy money during slower periods in your business.

Participate in local events to not only network but also establish your cake business as an essential part of the community. These can vary but get access to a community calendar from the local schools, council offices, and community centres to see what’s going on.

2. Participate in Food Markets:

Tap into the potential of local markets as vibrant hubs for potential customers. Utilise markets to introduce your menu to potential clients. Offer samples at your stall and make your treats readily available for purchase. Putting a face to your brand and sharing your story in person can create a memorable connection.

Note: This one is harder work as it requires a small bit of investment in a stand, market stall fees, and of course, TIME! But, the exposure can be fabulous. Sign people up on the spot for upcoming birthday cakes and get them to pay a deposit or the full amount ahead of time securing funds that would have easily paid for your market stall and made your day worthwhile. Sign up with Zettle or Square to accept contactless payments with a card reader.

3. Get involved with Charities:

Connect with charities in ways that align with your business values. Donate treats for care home celebrations, contribute to school fundraisers, or participate in religious events to forge personal connections within your community. Use these events as an opportunity to showcase new cake designs, flavours, and ranges that you'd like to offer in your business, promoting them on social media.

4. Collaborate with Cafés and Coffee Shops:

Broaden your reach by partnering with local coffee shops. This introduces you the world of a “wholesale” business. A genuine step up from baking for the average customer. This brings more steady and reliable income for you and forces you to become super efficient to accommodate more bakes into your week.

Integrate your cakes into their menu for a steady flow of orders. Tailor your designs to complement the ambiance of the café and cater to the preferences of their customers.

Again, not super easy to do here, as now businesses are reliant on your for a part of their menu so you need to prepare for it. The benefit though can easily outweigh the challenges as you’ve now got commercial customers who are also advertising your work. Start small, learn the process, fine tune it, and then work on adding other outlets. Deliver excellence!

5. Explore Unique Locations:

Think creatively about your business locations. Collaborate with clothing stores during sales, host pop-ups at real estate open houses, and explore unique venues like art galleries, hairdressers, and fitness centres. These unconventional spots present untapped opportunities for your cake business.

Yes! We said fitness centres. Some health bars or home-made granola may not be your regular staple bake, but if it gets you to a new audience who still celebrates various occasions, you’re now tapping into a new customer base that would not know of you otherwise.

Conclusion:

As you navigate the year ahead, focus on practical strategies that yield tangible results for your cake business. Strengthen local partnerships, engage with potential customers in markets, and strategically align with charities.

For more actionable insights, check out our FREE e-book, "5 Ways to Grow Your Cake Business in 2024," available on our website. Elevate your local presence and make 2024 the most successful year yet for your cake business!

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Try and try again! We never gave up!

Leaving our corporate jobs to pursue our dream of starting a business was a challenge. We wanted a venture that would not only challenge us but also address a real issue in the community. The dream was to have more time for our very young kids, and a relatable aspiration for many embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, especially in the cake business.

Little did we know the challenges that lay ahead. The initial businesses faced setbacks, but each failure taught us valuable lessons. OLBAA, our fourth venture, emerged from a genuine problem faced in my cake business – flimsy, unfunctional packaging that devalued the cakes.

What began as a solution for my business transformed into a solution for the wider community. The overlooked and underappreciated community needed a champion. OLBAA became that champion, offering sturdy, purposeful packaging that made a difference.

Our journey echoes the struggles many entrepreneurs face – the search for a product that works, the transformation of passion into a business. OLBAA is here to stay, serving and solving problems for a community that deserves the very best.

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E34 - Funky Batter - One cake recipe, 16 combinations, now sold in over 122 countries!

As a female growing up in India, Hena Mahajan never followed the normal path.  A creative at heart who found herself entering the world of jewellery design at a fairly young age, she ran her own business creating and selling her own designs.   

Funky batter however was formed as a continuation of her ability to want to create even if it wasn’t in the industry she originally she started working in.  Funky batter is the ability for anyone to download and follow her core recipes to create whatever you want with your cakes.  

Starting with 16 core flavours, but giving you the tools to go off and create your own, Hena has just built the foundation for so many bakers to start with their own recipes and build on them.  It’s an inspiring story and motivating to listen to as it just shows that just when you think an industry like cake already has it all, you can still find ways to help and find new ways to teach people the essentials.  I really hope you like it.

Learn more about Hena:
Website
Instagram


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E33 - Sandro Farmhouse - A Great British Bake off finalist tells us what it's really like in the big tent!

Sandro Framhouse, here’s a guy with some serious drive and motivation.  Coming to England a long time ago with nothing, he grew up against many factors working against his chance to succeed but yet found a way through it all.  

Sandro, has baked for a while now, but his determination comes from watching how hard it was for his mother when they first moved to England.  It’s a consistent theme with Sandro.  Overcoming challenges, getting to his vision.  He puts a picture in his head of what he wants to achieve and then he goes after it.  

He’s the first bake-off contestant we’ve had on the podcast and I’m really glad we got the chance to sit down with him.  Bake-off has literally changed his life and how he has managed that change is interesting.  Sandro is a breath of fresh air to speak with and we really enjoyed chatting with him.  So let’s get to Sandro’s baking journey. Enjoy.

Learn more about Sandro here:
Instagram
His project (BOTS)


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E32 - Yolanda Gampp - This is a story of AMBITION! Even after hearing "no" a hundred times, she NEVER gave up!

Yolanda Gampp.  A mega-star in the world of novelty cakes.  But her rise to this level was a genuine rollercoaster to get to this point.  There are so many highs, and yet various lows, even to this very day.  

What she, and her business partners Connie and Jocelyn have built is an incredible brand.  But it only came after being told no, no., no, and no!  

They started their YouTube channel “How to Cake it” was back in 2015!  And then the real work began.  It’s barely stopped since and this baking journey is going to highlight to you all that as you get bigger, it doesn’t always get easier.  

New heights bring new challenges but Yolanda and her team kept adapting, kept consistent, and kept pushing the boundaries.  This episode is a must listen!  Take your time with this one and we really hope you find it inspiring and educational. 

Find out more about Yolanda here:
Website
Youtube
Instagram
Facebook


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E31 - Cielo Cakery - How a single mother embarked on a rollercoaster ride and built TWO bakeries with a cult following in her hometown!

Jodie Heaven - which in Spanish is “Cielo” - is the founder of this cute little Brighton bakery called Cielo.  A single mother who realised very early on that after the birth of her daughter, she wanted to make sure should create the best life for her.  

Jodie herself wanted to be a pop singer when she was a child, but that didn’t quite work out.  Thankfully baking did!  From making the cupcakes for her baby shower, to building a business out of that, it quickly become a shop, and then a second one.  But not without numerous hurdles and challenges which you will hear about.  

Jodie isn’t phased by it.  She just has that attitude to just get out there and get it sorted.  What an inspiring small business owner! She never gave up and continued to build something special for her community in Brighton.  You really need to listen to this one.  Enjoy.

Learn more about Cielo here:

Website
Instagram


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E30 - Chelsweets - How my baking blog allowed me to quit my job and buy my apartment!

This former accountant who baked to simply relieve a bit of stress of the madness of her corporate life, finds herself one day doing Facebook lives for the Food Network.  How does that happen?  

Innocent bakes that she brought in for her coworkers were secretly building the next career she didn’t know she would end up quitting her day job for.  She creates content, but it’s not about the social media so much as it is more about her blog.  Yes blog, remember those??

Her recipes, and the millions of people who search online and find her website are what has really propelled her second career.  Chelsey is very open and honest about her journey.  She’s learned a lot but also shared a lot of how she did it, how well it paid her, and where it took her.  This is a story about opportunity in so many places!  Hope you like it.

Learn more about Chelsey:

Website
Instagram
Pinterest
Facebook


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E29 - British Girl Bakes - From cupcakes to clicks. How Emily went from running a cupcake cafe to building a huge YouTube and online presence.

Emily Friend is an adventurer.  She may have received a degree in law, but that wasn't enough to satisfy her.  Having lived in various places around the world, she decided to move to Costa Rica. 

It wasn't long after arriving that she realised she had a  simple craving for the desserts she loved didn’t exist, so she had to go make it herself.  The innocence of doing something like this turns her down a path of baking, running a cupcake shop in Costa Rica, selling this business, and eventually settling in LA. 

All it takes is something like a child to come along and decide you need to find a new path.   With no cafe of her own to run any more she had to figure out a new plan.  An old video on her phone she uploaded to YouTube years prior ended up giving her an idea - go online and teach!   The rest may be history but there’s a lot more to this story than just creating content.  Listen on to get Emily’s full story.

Learn more about Emily here:

Website
Youtube
Instagram


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E28 - Janelle Copeland (formerly of The Cake Mamas) - An ex-wife and a wife start a bakery business that rockets to success! Learn how she did it!

Janelle Copeland.  She helped launch The Cake Mamas way back - when a rather unusual partnership was formed between two talented women.  You’re going to hear about things falling into place, taking big bets, knowing when you’re not ready for something big, and pushing forward in spite of all odds.

You're going to hear about losing it all and having to build yourself back up.   Imagine having to turn your life around from declaring bankruptcy - hitting rock bottom - and starting all over.  This is exactly what Janelle did.

This is a story of comeback and Janelle shines her way through it all.  Open, honest, and so inspirational.  We go to California to sit and with Janelle and get her take on why you just need to make things happen in spite of all odds.  Enjoy.

Learn more about Janelle:

Website
Instagram

Youtube


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 4 Haf Saba

E27 - Sweet Sticks Founder, Miranda. How she went from fashion, to baking, and then turned a $5000 idea into a global brand!

Miranda is a serious serial entrepreneur.  Starting from the age of 16, she has always built her own businesses, but this fashion designer made the switch to baking by accident really.  When a child comes a long and forces you to change your career, it’s amazing what rabbit holes you’re searching will take you.  

There’s a sense of just going for it in this episode, when absolutely everyone is telling you you’re just mad.  Miranda just goes with her gut and knows she needs to continue building something when nobody else thought she could.  Because when that moment finally comes and you know you’re about to create something really special, it just makes it all so worth while!  

You’re going to hear Miranda’s crazy up and down journey through this all and she’s incredibly open and honest about it.  Her determination though is absolutely infectious.  So grab your drink of choice and sit down for this episode with the founder of Sweets Sticks from Melbourne, Australia.

Learn more about Sweet Sticks here:

Sweet Sticks Website


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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Canva for Cake Makers - making life easier for graphics and illustrations

Take control of designing graphics and illustrations the easy way with Canva! This incredible platform has been around a while but has grown to be the best platform out there giving YOU the power to take your creative skills as a cake maker and apply them to other designs.

Canva’s user-friendly interface is a dream come true for the non technical out there. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it a breeze to create professional-grade designs, with no prior experience needed.

The beauty of Canva lies in its accessibility. With a free tier that packs a punch and a pro version that won’t drain your wallet, it’s a cost-effective solution for all your design needs. Canva Pro comes at a competitive price, offering an array of advanced features that provide bang for your buck.

Canva’s extensive template library is a time-saver! Just search for what you want to create and see hundreds of templates that you can choose and modify to your own liking. With plenty of text, graphics, and illustrations to add, it’s easy to create something in just a few minutes. Think of the possibilities! Here are some ideas for you:

  • 1. Logo Creation: Crafting a memorable logo is a breeze with Canva's logo maker.

  • 2. Business Cards: Design and print business cards that help you stand out in a crowd.

  • 3. Social Media Graphics: Create engaging posts and banners for your social media channels.

  • 4. Flyers and Brochures: Whether it's for a local fair or a trade expo, design eye-catching flyers and brochures.

  • 5. Menus: Launching a bakery or cafe? Create up a stylish menu in no time.

  • 6. Presentations: Create professional presentations for pitching to clients or businesses you want to collaborate with.

  • 7. Website Graphics: Enhance your website's appeal with custom graphics and illustrations.

  • 8. Event Invitations: Design beautiful digital or printable invitations for your business events.

  • 9. Product Portfolio: Showcase your portfolio in a well-designed catalogue to entice customers.

  • 10. Email Marketing Templates: Design attractive email templates for your marketing campaigns, helping to boost engagement and conversions.

Think of the money you could save hiring designers to do all this when you can do it yourself. Canva is so good, it’s quite possible some designers out there will be using it themselves!

Canva let’s you even add your existing logo and brand colours to apply to any artwork. This helps keep your creations consistent with your brand allowing you to create work that’s still perfectly aligned to your branding.

In conclusion, Canva is not just a design tool; it’s a gateway to unbounded creativity and professional branding for any cake maker. The savings in time and money, coupled with the ease of use, make Canva an indispensable asset for modern entrepreneurs. Ready to take your designs to the next level? Check out Canva and explore the endless possibilities, starting with their free plan.

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Are you struggling to run your cake business, as a business?

  • Do you feel like you work all the time and you take home   very little profit?

  • Are you struggling with all the non baking jobs in your cake business?   Admin, finances, marketing.

  • Do you want to learn new skills but you just don't have the time or   you don't even know where to start?

Our new ebook collection will help you gain back your TIME, increase your PROFITS, and teach you NEW SKILLS to run your cake business.  We've listened to loads of our customers. Spoken to dozens of international guests on our podcast who are very successful bakers. We've taken all this information and put it into a collection of books for you to learn.

But why would you listen to us?  We've ran a cake business. We run our own internationally-based packaging business. We both have careers in technology spanning two decades.  We wanted to take this knowledge and give it to you so that you can do MORE with your business. There seems to be themes that stick when we talk to bakers.

  •  Pricing

  • Non baking tasks

  • Admin

  • Howw to market

  • Where to learn how to do finances.  

It really comes down to doing too much and getting very little gain. So why don't you start with our FREE ebook,   Five ways to grow your cake business 2024.  It's available right now on our shop page. Just enter your details and order without a credit card. All these eBooks are available to anyone worldwide!

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How do I price my cakes/cupcakes?

Watch this video with industry thinkers discussing how they price for their cakes and cupcakes. Innovative ideas and ways to increase profit for your cake business!

Welcome to The Pricing Conversation.

Industry leading bakers sit down to have a chat about one of the hardest parts of being a baker - what to charge for your cakes!  

Featuring the following amazing industry thought leaders:

Jane Taylor - internationally-renowned floral cupcake maker

Emma Jayne - 2022 cake artist of the year.

Melanie Underwood - founder of Cake International - one of the largest cake shows in the world.

Rockpool Creative and RockCake - specialists in marketing and branding for cake makers world wide

Sit back and take notes! There's a lot here to help you with.

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Podcast, Season 3 Haf Saba Podcast, Season 3 Haf Saba

E26 - Cake Makers Collective - How 4 bakers came together to share their diverse knowledge with the baking world.

We’re doing something completely different today as we’re speaking with FOUR amazing bakers who collectively have over 40 years experience behind them - the Cake Makers Collective.  

Sally, Jess, Charlotte, and Danielle all met late last year through a cake school and instantly become huge friends through their own whatsapp group.  They all have their own cake business and they all have their own specialities.  

Danielle actually runs her own cafe in Kent.  The girls are placed around the UK so this WhatsApp group was the main way for them to communicate but it didn’t take long before they realised they could pool their expertise together to develop a virtually-based, community-focused, training platform - the Cake Makers Collective.  

We wanted to know more about the collective and how it came about.  It’s an affordable, and bite-size approach to 1:1 training for anyone at any stage in their baking career.  This is not in-class training as there is definitely a place for that.  It’s a very different approach and we found the diversity of experience the girls bring and their approach made us feel we should chat with them.  

So, are you starting your baking journey?  Do you need help but live far away from any training centre where you could get help?  Well, keep listening as this may be what you’re looking for.  On with the show….

Find out more about the Collective here:

Website
Jess
Danielle
Charlotte
Sally


This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.

OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.

To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop

Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk

See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel

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