biancakleinjan

[biancakleinjan]

week 13 update

what is working?

My reciepies have been sucessful and they are selling well.

 what is not working?

some of my pakcaging is not working and I have had to change how I pckage my bulk orders.

 how do you feel the project is coming?

I think it is going well, I have sold more cupcakes then I expected to.

what are you learning about running a business?

that cusomter relations are very important. How you deal with, and talk to customers is important. Making sure they are left with a lasting expereince not with just the cupcakes but with the business as a whole so they will tell their friends and familys.

what are you learning about yourself? 

I am learning that I am capable of running a business as long as I pick myself up when I stumble, I need to continue.

[biancakleinjan]

Week 10 update

what is working?

My advertising is working well, many people have been reached. My instagram and facebook pages have grown many followers and have reached many people.

what is not working?

My hours are not working. I don't get a lot of customers on Monday's and Tuesday's and it doesn't seem worth it to be open.

how do you feel the project is coming?

Well, as I adjusted some of my flavours and the packaging it has gone alot smoother.

what are you learning about running a business?

It takes more work than just the making of the product. To expect the unexpected, not everything goes smoothly all the time.

what are you learning about yourself?

I am learning that I tend to take things to personally. When someone doesn't like a flavour I take offense to it rather then just realizing that everyone has different tasts.

[biancakleinjan]

Week 9 update:

what is working?

I have been selling a lot of cupcakes to different events and parties.

what is not working?

Transportation, I have promised bulk orders that then can have delivery and it has been hard to navigate delivery with the running of the stand.

how do you feel the project is coming?

The project is going well. I love meeting my customers and making them happy

what are you learning about running a business?

A lot of time managment and organization is needed to run a business smoothly and well. Without wasting extra time.

what are you learning about yourself?

I am learning that I need to be more organized. Sometime when I am not orgnized I waste a lot of time. For example, if I am not organized on the ingredients needed and I forget things I have to run to the store multiple times when it could have been just one trip.

[biancakleinjan]

Week 8 update

what is working?

Some of my recipies are working. My red velvet, chocolate explosion, and my vanilla buttercream cupcakes are especially delcious and are a hit!

what is not working?

My oreo crumb, salted caramel, and lemon recipies are not as much of a hit and I need to either find new recipies or else fully new flavours in order that I can sell all of my flavours better.

how do you feel the project is coming?

Good! I am enjoying the prosess and I am learning about what my customers needs and wants are as I go along.

what are you learning about running a business?

I am learning the importance of listening to customers and implementing what they want. Of course I can't please all my customers needs and wants but if something is mentioned several times it is propbably something that is important.

what are you learning about yourself?

I am learning that I do not have all the answers and that I need to make sure I am learning from other people who have started business or just my customers. Sometimes when I think something will work and it doesn't, I try to push that thing but I should just move on and put my energy somewhere else. Changing my plan doesn't mean I have failed it just means I am learning and growing.

[biancakleinjan]

Week 7 update

what is working?

My marketing is working, my recipes are a hit, and my customer service and customer relations have given me repeat customers

what is not working?

My packaging of orders is not working, I need to come up with a better way to package my orders that will have a lower overhead cost and will keep the cupcakes safe until they arrive at their destination.

how do you feel the project is coming?

I think it is going well. But I am worried about how I can improve it and make more sales in order to cover my costs and make money.

what are you learning about running a business?

I am learning that it takes a lot more work to start and run a business than I initially thought.

what are you learning about yourself?

I have learned that I am very good at customer service but I'm not that good at finances.

[biancakleinjan]

Finances

1. Your professional profile

I have worked in a bakery for many years and in the past year I have taken a managerial role. I know the ins and outs of making good products and also how to sell the product. I also have managed staff as manager so I will be well equipped in this area.

2. Your project’s viability

I am going to find my customers by advertising well in my community. I will go door to door with flyers letting everyone know that I am moving into the area. I will also make sure that I visit and establish relationships with the corporate event planners in the area. I will also establish a strong online presence by having a good website and social media platforms. I chose my location because it was close to a commercial and industrial area. I could be close to those locations so I could reach both groups of people.

3. Your financial strength

I hope to get 50 customers in a day who will spend on average $30 to make about $1,200 a day. If I am open 5 days a week then I will make 375,600 in revenue for the year.

4. Your guarantee

I can meet my personal obligations without taking a revenue for the first 6 months

[biancakleinjan]

Business operation plan

For the sake of this course, I plan to not have an actual building for my cupcakes but rather a stand at a market. So therefore the resources I will need are a table and display cases for my baked goods. I will also need to contact the local market in my area to book a slot where I can set up my cupcake stand. I will also need to make sure I have all the ingredients to make my cupcakes as well as a menu list with the prices.

[biancakleinjan]

Creative Advertising exercise

Step 1: lock picker, toothpick, nail cleaner, clean out speaker holes, writing utensil, back scratcher, bookmark, button to keep your clothes together, chip clip, sewing needle, hair detangler, metal detector, cork opener, nose picker, keychain accessory, earing, acts as hair elastic for the nearly bald, holds your glasses together, zip tie, car mirror accessory, weapon, thread organizer

Step 2:

10: Lockpicker, hair accessory, weapon, nose picker, hair detangler, chip clip, bookmark, toothpick, thread organizer, button to keep clothes together

5: lockpicker, bookmark, weapon, chip clip, hair detangler

Friend choice: Weapon

Step 3:

30: the spearing point, sharpie, scratch, tiny but deadly, unexpecting, pocket weapon, pin, pointed, stealthy weapon, professional scratcher, swiper, poker, mini weapon, mini jab, mini poker, safety jab, safety weapon, piercing weapon, safe defense, dagger

10: pocket weapon, mini jab, safety weapon, tiny but deadly, professional scratcher, poker, stealthy weapon, piercing weapon, pointed, unexpected weapon

5: pocket weapon, poker, professional scratcher, mini jab, safety weapon

1: safety weapon

This safety weapon is small but mighty. It is easy to keep in your pocket, bag, or purse. It can also do a lot of damage and will protect you. It is not a weapon as much as it is meant to keep you safe. Pepper spray is not enough you also need the safety weapon to ensure that you can protect yourself and others.

The safety weapon can also be kept safely on you. It has a cover that when not in use can be put into. But you have easy access to it and can easily be released.

[biancakleinjan]

Customer Persona:

Step 1:

After conducting a qualitative analysis, I found my customer demographics. Most of my customers will be mothers who plan birthday parties for their children or managers/bosses who plan for corporate events.

Step 2:

My customers will be busy moms who can't bake for their child's birthday but still want something special for them. They are so preoccupied with the other party details that they will seek to buy cupcakes from my business because of the ease and simplicity. Or it will be the corporate event managers who are looking for something without additives and preservatives and quality baked goods to serve their employers or clients.

Step 3:

About them: Samantha is a busy mom of three children. She works full time but her priority is her children. Her son is turning 5 this week and she is throwing him a birthday party where she is inviting all his friends from kindergarten as well as several family members, for a total of 20 people.

Use case: They would use the cupcakes at their party so that they don't have to bake anything and so that Samantha can serve delicious cupcakes that have no preservatives in them.

Buying trigger: My cupcakes can be bought in bulk so it makes it easier for them to order for a large event, also they are homemade with no preservatives in them.

Buying Process: We make it easy for our customers to either purchase them online or at the store. Whatever method they prefer!

Previous Solution and Pain Points: Before my business Samantha struggled to find a good business that could supply her with a bulk order of desserts for a party, that were baked fresh and didn't have the junk of preservatives.

Choice Factors: They are for products that can be served to a large diverse crowd of people that are both adults and children. She is looking for something that tastes fresh but that doesn't have preservatives in it.

[biancakleinjan]

My Competitors

My first competitor would be "Cupcakes of Westdale Village" They have a really good clear website, but it is not the most thrilling or exciting website so I would take that to the next level. Their strength is in their social media presence they have done really well with that. Their prices are fair...not too expensive but still asking enough. They also have a toonie Tuesday which I think is a great idea to bring out customers on a Tuesday which is probably a slow day.

My second competitor would be: Bitten Cupcakes, Butter Tarts & Whoopie Pies. They offer ordering online which I think is a great idea since a lot of people prefer to order online rather than entering a physical store. Their website is not very well done, rather confusing a blurry photos so I would make sure my website is looking good. Their prices are fair, a bit more on the expensive side but the cupcakes look fantastic. They also have a very small window in which they are open (11-5 Wed-Sun). So I would be open longer to attract those customers

My third competitor is: "Beyond the Batter Bakery". First I think this name is really well done and it is catchy. This bakery clearly has done well as they have three locations. Their website is clear and well done. They work in a peanut-free facility which appeals to the market of those with allergies. Their social media is extremely well done and it is very clear. This bakery specifically appeals to moms and what they should be feeding their children. I would then cater to other populations of people, like corporate events etc. Their prices are fair..again more on the pricy side but fair for what you are getting.

[biancakleinjan]

My Mind map for the bakery I work at.

[biancakleinjan]

Strengths and Weaknesses

My strengths and weaknesses are based on entrepreneurial skills. My greatest weakness is in math and the understanding of numbers. That being said finances are wayyyy over my head and I have a hard time understanding this. But my strength on the other hand is in communication so sales and negotiation as well as people management is more my strong suit. I have been managing people for some time now. Whether as the senior staff member or now as the assistant manager, I have been managing those under me. One of the main things I do at work is the training of new staff, making sure everyone has a job to do and that they stay on track.

[biancakleinjan]

Hi!

My new tumblr name is biancakleinjan. Go follow