The 3 BIGGEST Mistakes Bakers Make That Are Hurting Their Business!

So, you’ve got the passion, the talent, and the drive to turn your baking hobby into a thriving business. That’s amazing! But… let’s talk about some of the biggest mistakes I see bakers making over and over again—mistakes that are keeping them stuck, frustrated, and underpaid. If you’re making any of these, don’t worry—you’re not alone- that’s why I’m here to help you avoid them!

Thinking PASSION is enough to build a successful business!

Listen, I LOVE that you love baking. Passion is what got you here, but it’s NOT enough to build a profitable business. Too many bakers assume that just because they make amazing cakes or cookies, customers will automatically show up and buy from them. But here’s the truth: passion is NOTHING if you don’t have a strategy to back it up.

What does that mean? It means understanding that there’s more to building a SUSTAINABLE, PROFITABLE, and SUCCESSFUL business than just “good” products. It means having a STRATEGY around your pricing, marketing, branding, customer experience, and financial management. It means treating your business like a business, not a fun lil side gig you thought you would “just see what happens.” You need a plan, not just a piping bag and a prayer! The most successful bakers aren’t just the best at baking; they’re the best at running a business. They’re focused on learning new skills to become a better leader. They’re focused on building systems that offload tasks on their to-do list. They’re focused on profitability because they know that REVNUE isn’t the same as profit.

So, ask yourself—do you have a clear business strategy? OR are you flying by the seat of your pants hoping that things will just work out? If not, it’s time to start thinking like a CEO, not just a hopeful baker.

2. Selling EVERYTHING Under the Stars

I see this mistake ALL the time. A baker starts a business and wants to offer cupcakes, cakes, cookies, macarons, cake pops, brownies, bread… basically, if anyone has ever “baked” it, they’re selling it. But here’s the thing: when you try to be everything to everyone, you become forgettable to your customers.

The best businesses specialize. They master ONE thing before expanding. Think about the brands you love—most of them started with ONE signature product. You need to do the same! Pick ONE thing, get really good at it, become known for it, and THEN expand your offerings. Look at business like CRUMBL. I know y’all love to HATE on CRUMBL, but they were known for their cookies and weekly rotating menu. Today they now offer cakes, brownies, and pies IN ADDITION to their rotating cookie menu.

Want to build a name for yourself? Become “The Brownie Queen” or “The Macaron Expert” in your area. When people know exactly what to come to you for, your business will grow faster than if you’re trying to be the jack-of-all-trades.

And trust me—I learned this lesson the hard way. When I started my business, I had my eyes set on serving only celebrities in LA. I thought that was my dream clientele, and I ignored my own local community in the process. I was so focused on what I thought I wanted that I missed the real opportunity right in front of me. Fast forward… I quickly realized that high-profile clients weren’t what I actually wanted, and my business only started REALLY thriving once I focused on solving a problem for my local community. The truth? The people who need your product the most are often right under your nose. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking them like I did!

3. Pricing Their Products All Wrong

This one is painful because it’s the #1 reason bakers struggle to make real money. Too many bakers price their products based on what they think is “fair”, what their customers will pay, what their competition is charging, or (even worse) they’l just cover their ingredient costs. BIG MISTAKE.

Your pricing needs to include not just ingredients, but also your time, overhead costs, packaging, marketing expenses, and PROFIT. If you’re only covering your costs, you’re running a NON-PROFIT organization, not a business.

If you feel like you’re always busy but never making enough money, it’s time to reevaluate your pricing strategy. You need to price for PROFIT, not just survival. If your pricing scares you a little bit, you’re probably doing it right. But if you need more help on HOW to price out your products, how to track and manage your expenses, and how to ensure you’re working for more than just pennies, my pricing for profit training is perfect for you. You can learn more about it here.

Final Thoughts

If you’re making any of these mistakes, don’t beat yourself up—just make the changes NOW. Business is a learning experience full of ups and downs, and every successful entrepreneur has to PIVOT and ADJUST along the way. The key is to recognize what’s holding you back and take action.

I dive deeper into these 3 Mistakes and SHARE my 3-step process for what I would if I was starting my business over in 2025 inside my new YouTube video! You can watch that here, PLUS grab my free guide that breaks down exactly what I’d do!