Interview with Lizzy Harman from The Little Village Cake Company

I had the pleasure of interviewing Lizzy from the The Little Village Cake Company. I’m sure many of you will learn alot from her experiences in running her wedding cake business:

Could you please introduce yourself and your business?

My name is Lizzy Harman and I am the founder of the little village cake company. I am based in the picturesque village of Chiddingly in East Sussex. I make home baked, hand crafted wedding and celebration cakes that taste delicious and look stunning.

What is the most lavish cake you have ever made?

Every cake that I make is made to compliment the wedding theme or is created as a separate work of art. Each cake is therefore very special. This year I am looking forward to creating many individual and beautiful cakes which range from the classic and traditional to a corpse bride inspired wedding cake and this week a Chewbacca celebration cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever had any angry Bridezillas or Mothers of the Bride and how did you deal with them?

I think I have been very lucky as I have never had a Bridezilla!!! Not to say that some Brides and mothers of the Bride aren’t a little challenging!! I do think that the cake is often the least stressful part of planning a wedding as it is often one of the last things to be organized so the hard part is over. Maybe it is also because for many of us the subject of CAKE is one of our favorites and planning layers of chocolate torte sandwiched together with Belgium chocolate ganach butter icing is nothing but a pleasure to all of our senses!

How did you go about getting your first clients?

My passion for sugar craft started when I was very young and I used to help tie the tiny bows with my small fingers for my mother’s cake creations. I learnt my craft over many years and like most that discover this art you end up baking and designing cakes for all your friends and family. Once I started the business I decided that wedding fairs was going to be the best way to meet potential clients.

Which advertising methods do you use?

Although wedding fairs can be excellent the market does seem to be quite flooded so pick your event carefully! I do have a website which I linked to other quality businesses which I hand pick. I find the best possible form of advertising is personal recommendation especially when you’re going to be involved in such an important day. This is the cheapest but the hardest advertising as you need a large client base which you must build yourself before you get the return.

Has your website helped your business, if so how?

Yes I would definitely say that my website has helped my business. It means that anyone can look at my website and see the service I offer and see examples of my work. It increases the number of people Interested in my business. I get orders from my website and can make the whole process much quicker and simpler.

What tips would you give wedding cake making companies who are just starting out?

I would advise that you get a good clean simple website.

Be careful when dealing with internet only orders making sure you always get signatures and money before completing the order.

Try and find your own style and make yourself competitive in price. Don’t under charge too much though as it can put people off!!!!

Network and make as many local contacts within this industry as possible. You can all help each other by recommending quality companies that you know. Cake is an excellent way to make friends and influence people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People never forget a good tasty piece of cake.

www.thelittlevillagecakecompany.co.uk