Vendor Events

I experienced my first craft show last weekend- WOW!  I walked in with my bags and had no clue what I was doing or where to go.  Thankfully, everyone was so nice and helped guide me to my predetermined "table spot" and I started setting up shop.  It took me much longer than I had anticipated to set up my table, stands, and about 90 cupcakes.  I am a perfectionist, so everything had to be just right.  I was thrilled with the way my table looked, almost an hour later.  The show was kind of slow according to other vendors that I talked to, but it was ok with me since it was my first experience.  It was a long day, and I had to stay at my table most of the time, from 9am- 4pm.  Many of the vendors were complaining that they didn't do well at all and that this was not a good show, but I thought I did pretty good!!  I only had about 20 cupcakes left by the end of the day.  The cupcakes I chose to make for this event were:

• Peanut Butter (these were the first to sell out!)
• Chocolate Orange
• Chocolate with Strawberry frosting (sold out!)
• Cookies and Cream (sold out!)
• Blueberry Lemon (I had the most of these left, which surprised me because usually it is a favorite amongst women)
• Caramel Apple

I would say my first show was a success and I left with more cash than I came with or spent in my pocket.  Show #2 coming up this Friday- "Mom's Night Out"- which means bring on the alcohol cupcakes!  The lineup for this event:

• Irish Car Bomb (a DEFINITE favorite!)
• Strawberry Champaigne (new recipe!)
• Snickerdoodle (new recipe!)
• Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter Mousse (new recipe!)
• Red Velvet
• Brownie with Dark Chocolate Icing (new recipe!)

I am really excited for this event and hope to have a great turnout and demand for cupcakes.  I am SUPER excited to finally get to try some new flavors too!

March Madness Isn't Just Basketball

I actually quite like March Madness, and my bracket is looking decent so far.  However, the term "March Madness" has taken on a whole other meaning for me.  Just a little over a month ago, I opened the door to the baking world, not knowing what to expect.  I still don't quite know what to expect, but I do know that my business isn't slowing down any time soon.  Already 47 dozen cupcake orders down, I've experienced a lot, and have quickly learned what works and what doesn't.  So many good things have happened this month- my website is up, my logo is complete, and my business cards are in my hands.  Aside from that, I've had two big events this past weekend- a fundraising event for a large company (4 dozen cupcakes) and a wedding on St. Patrick's Day (9 dozen cupcakes).  And let's not forget to mention the few random orders I had in between those two big ones the same weekend.  WOW!  What a weekend!  But I survived :) 

I also have decided to get involved in some craft show/ vendor type events- the first one is this Saturday, March 24 and then I also have one on March 30 and April 5.  So that means MORE cupcakes, but also more publicity!  And speaking of publicity, I have a friend who blogs in the Toledo area, called Moms In Heels and does a talkshow radio every Wednesday morning for Andrew Z in the Morning.  I'm giving her a box of cupcakes to take to them in hopes they mention it on air today.  Another task I'd like to complete for the weekend- brochures and/ or flyers.  These are great marketing tools and will grab people's attention faster because of the size and effects that can be added to them.  Oh, and that whole tax thing... I guess I need to start considering that as well.  That whole process seems a bit intimidating, but if my company continues to grow at this rate, I will definitely need to think about that, and even the possibility of opening a store front.  My kitchen is just way too small to handle growing orders!  This could all be in the distant future, or it could happen sooner than I'm ready for.  Either way, I look forward to it and am so excited!  And checkout the new link on the blog to my website- Sweet Addictions by Kari!

P.S.  Go Syracuse!  (I have them winning the bracket)  :)

Here are links to my upcoming events:

Coy Elementary Craft Show (No link for this one)
March 24 9am- 4pm
Coy Elementary School in Oregon, OH

Starr Elementary Mom's Night Out- March 30
https://www.facebook.com/events/152667541520416/

Bingo Blitz- April 5
http://www.facebook.com/events/121428387986775/

Upgrading & Expanding on Supplies

Let's just get straight to the point of this post... I got my new mixer!!!  I went out with my 20% off coupon and purchased a brand new Cuisinart 5.5 quart stand mixer from Bed Bath & Beyond.  And I LOVE it!  It is so much more efficient and can whip frostings and batters up in no time, and I can double recipes and fit it all in with no problem.  It even comes with a handy snap- on cover (with a little pour spout) to stop flour or confectioner's sugar from flying everywhere when turning the mixer on.  Yes, it may have been a hefty purchase, but it was well worth it and will more than produce a return on investment in the long run.  I have also been purchasing other supplies that have come in handy such as new decorating tips, a lemon zester, and new baking pans.  A lot of my tools are really outdated- what a difference nice pans make! 

Business has been steady, I have two big orders for next week- one is a corporate fundraising event, and the other is a wedding on St. Patrick's Day.  The cupcake of choice for the Irish?  Irish Car Bombs, of course!  Yes, these delicious cups of heaven consist of chocolate cake with Guiness beer (the Guiness bakes out, but makes them VERY moist) and chocolate ganache center with a little bit of Bailey's Irish Creme, topped with a Bailey's buttercream frosting.  They are one of my favorite cupcakes so far.  I have other orders that pop up here and there, but I really hope to expand the business and would ideally like to have 3-4 orders every week.  I have been invited to participate in some raffle/ vendor events in local communities to help get my name out there, and plan on participating in two of them this month.  I will also be attempting my first tiered cake this weekend for my niece's first birthday party.  I have some great ideas and can't wait to see how it turns out.  I am looking forward to my upcoming events, and as always, still have hopes and excitement about what the future holds!