My Grandmother has owns a soul food restaurant that's been running for over 20 years, and while she is a wonderful cook, baking isn't her strong suit. I bake, and I would like to partner up with her and sell my wares alongside her meals. Since I want to grow my own reputation while strengthening hers, I need my own brand name to set me apart and help me get known in the community. I've had a few ideas, but nothing's stuck, so I'm turning to this forum for some creative help.
A little about me and my baking style:
My name is Maya. I'm 22, a recent college grad. I'm big on detailed decoration, baking exclusively from scratch, and putting lots of time and effort into everything I bake (I know, pretty general). I try to put the love I have for others into my food, and, coming from a big family, I aim to please different kinds of people with variety and flexibility. I often get told I put too much effort into perfecting the little things, but in everything I do, I try to give it my all. I love learning new things, and making new recipes, so I don't want a name that will restrict me in that way.
Attached are pictures of some cakes I made for my family reunion a few months ago - my first big baking event.
Hi Maya, I just joined today but i try give you some tips. First, branding is difficult unless you tell us your varieties in more details but some names I came up are:
1. Top in Town
2. Top in Town bakery
3.Anytime Cakes - This one can attract a mass market becuase you're offering cakes for all the occasions.
Second, I'm not sure how you can have a brand within your grandma's restaurant I mean the branding won't help but confuse customers. You may attract more customers becuase you have more varieties but won't raise awareness. What I would recommend is have an extension within your grandma's restaurant under seprate a brand, mayberent it from her? that way you can choose and increase target market, brand and revenue but it may well be costly and risky.
However, my best advice for you is creating an online business. It's far easier, cost effective and less risky. All you have to do is go on 1and1 website and set up your own site: you can put your contact details along with pictures of your cakes but whatever they are make sure you include kids lol they're very demanded and profitable audience.
Lastly, you can create and design your own business card or leaflet, distribute them door to door, this way you can build your network slowly and raise awareness.
Tip: you don't need an online payment system, customers can order over the phone or visit your house to make order and pay in cash once collected. Plus, you can offer some of your own varieties in your grandma's restaurant too.
Here you have it, good luck if you have any other questions let me know
Lots of restaurants have pastries and baking from other vendors and still do well. They "showcase" the desserts or pastries with separate labels and placards. Different graphics.
Announcing a partnership might be good. That way you can in fact piggy back on the solid foundation Gramama has built. If you want to be a separate entity, I'd suggest starting off as separate. You'll get a following from restaurant clientele. Soon people will be coming to the storefront just to buy your creations. If, of course, they are good. : )
Just some ideas to bat around. I do like your name, though. For example : Baked by Melissa is very popular in NYC. Maybe Maya's Dreams. Maya's sweets. Maya's _________?
Do some research and find out what other bake shops in your area call themselves.
I'd also sit with friends and a few bottles of wine and brainstorm. What reflects your style of baking? What reflects your personality? Maybe it's not your name but something like Magnolia, or Buttercup, Cupcakes Royale,Crumbs, etc., all of which already exist. Some have to do with baking, some don't. Get a thesaurus and browse.
Title the dessert portion of the menu....... as soon as you think of a name lol ;-)
Desserts by ................
short description (maybe capitalize on your Gma's rep by claiming your title as her granddaughter)
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
a few yummy descriptive words
Italian Crème Cake
again a few descriptive words
Old Fashioned Fudge Cake
more words
Someplace in your menu area note that these are available not only by the portion but whole as well.
Have one or two ready to go right then as that is when you have the greatest chance of making a sale (until you establish your target market).
If they don't sell that day use them on day 2.
If wrapped tightly in plastic (not opened for any reason but to cut into portions and use that day) your product should keep up to 3 days in the fridge.
Not sure about the pineapple one but the other 2 have a pretty good short term shelf life if super moist to start out.
Lots of restaurants have pastries and baking from other vendors and still do well. They "showcase" the desserts or pastries with separate labels and placards. Different graphics.
Announcing a partnership might be good. That way you can in fact piggy back on the solid foundation Gramama has built. If you want to be a separate entity, I'd suggest starting off as separate. You'll get a following from restaurant clientele. Soon people will be coming to the storefront just to buy your creations. If, of course, they are good. : )
Just some ideas to bat around. I do like your name, though. For example : Baked by Melissa is very popular in NYC. Maybe Maya's Dreams. Maya's sweets. Maya's _________?
Do some research and find out what other bake shops in your area call themselves.
I'd also sit with friends and a few bottles of wine and brainstorm. What reflects your style of baking? What reflects your personality? Maybe it's not your name but something like Magnolia, or Buttercup, Cupcakes Royale,Crumbs, etc., all of which already exist. Some have to do with baking, some don't. Get a thesaurus and browse.
I agree with panini. you also need to do some primary and secondary researches. You need to find out your present and potential competitors and prices they charge. Whatever their prices you have competitive advantages over them becuase you have fewer business costs like rents etc. The final steps are: mention your competitive advantages in your leaflets like prices you charge in comparison to others and involve in the community by supporting and donating in the long term to have a good image and expand network.
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