Work on your cake business in 2025 to really make it count

How your mindset can help achieve your goals in your cake business

Every New Year, I hear people say, "It's a new year - let's hope it's a good one!" or "I hope this year brings everything we want." We all stay up until midnight to wish each other a happy New Year, full of hope and excitement for a fresh start. I listen to those words and think, "But Isn't it just another year? The only way 2025 will truly stand out from 2024 is if we actively work to make a difference."

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions — and let’s be honest, they often don’t last more than a month before old habits start creeping back in. I’m not going to pretend I’m any different. It’s happened to me too, and if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be writing this blog post!

We all have aspirations, dreams, hopes, and wishes, yet the harsh reality is that most of us do nothing to change them. We sit and wait, hoping for luck or a miracle to come our way. But the truth is, if this is your mindset, nothing will change. Success requires action, not wishful thinking.

Let’s talk about the business you’re trying to build or grow. I often hear things like, “Sandy, I’m not getting any customers,” or “Sandy, people won’t pay my prices,” and it can be frustrating not understanding why. As a result, many people lower their prices to the point where they’re practically giving their work away or even give up entirely, thinking a job would be easier. It’s a tempting thought, “I can’t make this business work, so maybe I should just go back to working for someone else.” But have you ever really stopped to consider your mindset?

Why do some cake makers seem to be thriving while others are struggling? It’s not because their cakes are better, their prices are lower, or their taste is superior. The difference is in their mindset. They’ve dedicated time and effort to understanding their business, and that’s not something that happens overnight. It’s usually the result of years of trial, error, and learning from mistakes.

Maybe you’re hoping that customers will simply appear and place orders without you doing much more than making cakes. But have you thought about the structure of your business? Have you researched your ideal customers to know what they really want? Are you creating cakes that cater to what your target audience is asking for, or are you just making what you think will sell?

Have you explored all the avenues available to you, like setting up a Google listing? I am confident to say that I bet many of you haven’t done this. Are you on Instagram, YouTube, or using paid ads to increase visibility? Are you showing up where your ideal customers are hanging out? Have you taken a step back to evaluate whether your skills are at the level they need to be? What distractions are pulling your attention away from growing your business?

Most importantly, do you spend more time working in your business, rather than on it? Building a successful business isn’t just about doing the work; it’s about stepping back, making strategic decisions, and focusing on growth. If you want to see real success, it requires a shift in both mindset and approach.

I’m not talking about creating a never-ending to-do list that never gets finished. Instead, I’m talking about choosing two specific goals that will truly move your business forward. For example, maybe this year you want to level up your skills and increase your visibility. These are your goals—now, how will you make them a reality?

Will you turn to motivational podcasts to keep you inspired and focused? I have recently been listening to podcasts by Jay Shetty who is incredibly inspiring and a quote that sticks out to me from Jay Shetty is:

‘The grass is greener where you water it’

Are you ready to refine your strategies on Instagram, Google, and YouTube? Are you prepared to treat your business with the dedication and professionalism it requires, rather than treating it as a side hobby? If these are your goals, then it’s time to fully commit.

Take full accountability for your actions, and from there, everything else will start to fall into place. The key is to focus, plan, and execute—everything else will follow.

Remember to Dream Big and make it happen!