For me, it is CakeBoss all the way. Why is that not working for you?? Before, I bought it, I had an appt book like my hairdresser uses and I would write it all in there, but then I would have little pieces of paper here and there. Now it all goes right into CakeBoss and there is no question at all! At the beginning of the week, I print off my invoices for the coming week, put them all in a notebook, and I have my orders planned out for the whole week.
jessieb578 Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 22, 2006
Posts: 674
Location: Catskill, NY
Birthday: Jan 05
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:18 am
Ohhh, see, now I didn't even think to print the invoices for the week and keep it that way.
I had CakeBoss, but also had my book and it was getting a little annoying having to refer to my computer.
I'm definitely not the best in the organization dept.
Ohhh, see, now I didn't even think to print the invoices for the week and keep it that way.
I had CakeBoss, but also had my book and it was getting a little annoying having to refer to my computer.
I'm definitely not the best in the organization dept.
Yes, I don't like having to run to the computer for every question either!! Another way that I keep everything straight is by keeping a folder for every single bride I currently have with outstanding orders. I have a big three-ring notebook with folders with holes in them. Each bride has her own folder. It works really well for me to keep them all straight!
bonjovibabe Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jan 27, 2006
Posts: 2294
Location: Quickstepping across the ballroom, cake in hand!
Birthday: Sep 20 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:44 am
I use Cake Boss, then print off all the invoices and stick them in a ring binder using tab folders for each month. I like to be able to look something up quickly too, or have it by my side for spellings of names etc, but I would never give up my Cake Boss!
jennifer7777 Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2006
Posts: 285
Location: CA
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:46 am
Thank you OP for posting this!! I have always wanted to know how people organize their orders...especially orders that need to be done over several days, like if stuff has to dry.
For any more posters...how do you schedule an order that has several different tasks, to all be ready by the due date along with other orders?
leannewinslow Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 26, 2007
Posts: 297
Location: Seattle, WA
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:49 am
Hmm, I am starting to think I should get cakeboss.
I have a file for each customer that has everything that has ever happened regarding their cak, emails, notes from phone convos, dates and times of meetings, etc.
One thing I do is always send an email to a customer following a ohone convo just to put it in print everything we talked about, that way you don't forget little details.
I have a production schedule that details amount and flavors and what day I need to make batter, filling, frosting. and also a schedule for thinks like making flowers and gp pieces.
It works for now.
On a cake that has a lot of gp pieces or flowers I make a list of all the pieces and the sizes, for example I would list 4 wheels for a car cake and then cjeck it off when it's done.
I always draw upa sketch of a cake and keep it current so when I am actually making the cake I don't have to think b/c all the thinking was dome in advance.
I also use MS outlook calendar to keep track of when payments are due and such.
I love Cake Boss for keeping track of my orders. I also have a large dry erase board mounted to my "cake closet". That way I can glance up quickly and see what's coming up. I write the days of the week and what is due for each day.
i made order sheets on a print program i have and it has due date, phone #, ect and lots of space for all the details. i have a corkboard just by my computer (and cake area) that i post them on in order of due date (when i have orders for upcoming months i place them together on a clip). i'm small time for now but as i get busier i think i'll look into getting cakeboss
jessieb578 Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 22, 2006
Posts: 674
Location: Catskill, NY
Birthday: Jan 05
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:16 pm
The binder idea is definitely a great one... I'm fairly small myself, but I don't want to get my orders lost, etc. Not to mention when I go shopping I'd like to know a week ahead to know what I have to get.
cakedout Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2007
Posts: 335
Location: South East PA
Birthday: Dec 12
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:24 pm
Gee- all of you are so much more organized and computer savvy that I ever was! Here is how this "old fogey" did things for 18 years....
My organization consisted of a file folder for each month, as well as my datebook calendar that listed the brides name/location/time.
The week's order forms were posted on a bulletin board, sorted by date/day of the week. Wedding cakes were sorted by delivery times. I also worked from daily work lists. My world would have screeched to a halt without my calendar and lists!!
I'd gather all plates, pillars,boards,etc for each wedding cake and put it in a bag/box with the brides name. I had a special cabinet where I kept the Brides' toppers and cake knives stored until the week of the wedding.
Perhaps a very "old school" system....but it worked for me.
If I was still in business, I'd definately change over to a computer system!
karenm0712 Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 322
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Birthday: Dec 07 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:30 pm
Southerncake - I like the binder idea! I was thinking about getting a plastic carrying file folder thingy-ma-do. I like the binder idea better!
tyty Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 25, 2006
Posts: 1830
Location: Chicago
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:31 pm
I printed order sheets from here on cc. It has worked much much better than trying to put everything in an appt book. I never had a problem with cakes except delivering on the wrong date, but I really could not keep up with small orders like cookies and cake balls.
Since I started using order sheets, I've had no problems.
SuHwa Regular Member
Joined: Feb 03, 2006
Posts: 192
Location: Texas
Birthday: Jun 02
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:51 pm
Cake Boss rocks! I love that I can see how much each cake costs to make, especially since I'm a hobbiest at this point. A friend will ask me for a cake and I'll tell her that ingredients alone cost x and that it will take me this many hours to get it all done. I then usually get brought ingredients and they'll watch the kids for a couple of hours while I do their cake work. It's hard to argue with the print out or take advantage of me when I let them see exactly how much it would cost them at a bakery.
suzycakes Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2007
Posts: 316
Location: Sheetcake County, Missouri
Birthday: Mar 03
Posted:
Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:57 pm
What!?! Noone but me uses post it notes and scraps of paper for their notes and information!! Plus I say a prayer every night when I finally get to bed ''to not let me forget anyone's order".
I am going to read up on CakeBoss again. I looked at it very seriously a few months ago. My only issue is I work full time at my 'real' job and decorate on the side (with the hopes of when the boss retires in a few years I can be established enough to open my own cake shop). Anyhow - small town usual -- I get just as many orders - if not more - while at work than I do at home.
Then once I get home I'm in a dead run to get things mixing, baking, iced, etc -- and I'm afraid I would never transfer my orders from work to my home computer with CakeBoss. Even now I find myself just sticking the sticky notes and paper scraps in my appointment book on the day they are ordered for instead of rewriting the information properly.
How easy is CakeBoss? How much actual time does it take to insert your orders and print out the weekly invoices? I would love the expense/income features of CakeBoss as well -- but I just don't think I could take the time right now to input all of the debits and credits. I've just been keeping a very crude debit/credit list going too see where I am making (or losing) the most money.
Thanks for starting this thread - I think it is going to be very helpful to me!
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Here is how this "old fogey" did things for 18 years.... 
Noone but me uses post it notes and scraps of paper for their notes and information!! Plus I say a prayer every night when I finally get to bed ''to not let me forget anyone's order".
