Cake Decorating Community - Cakes We Bake

I work at a small mom and pop restaurant.... yesterday my boss' wife calls me and says,
' I have a friend who would like a lion shape cake for her daughters birthday...would you be interested in making it for her? I would be happy to send her your way if you five me a cut of what you make off of the cake.'
My first thought was, do I ask for a cut from you every-time my friends come into your restaurant or make you a special dessert other then what is on the menu????  (I was HOT)
But then I thought maybe that was a bad attitude and I should ask some other people what they think.
So PLEASE correct me if my attitude is wrong? And if I am wrong?  How much would you give as a finders fee...10%?

Thanks!

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Yeah, realistically, the words I'd like to tell people never come out of my mouth. But, it wouldn't be hard to say that you don't make enough money off of your cakes to make it worth it.

Diana Viera said:
I agree totally with everyone's remarks. It sounds like you should go on your own. Have you ever thought about it? You do make deserts for the restaurants and maybe you should be putting the money into your own pocket. Tell your boss you appreciate that she's referring you to someone but you cannot afford to "5" anyone because it's difficult to make ends meet as it is now. Good luck ~ we all have your back:)
I meant where she works at the restaurant. It might help get her raise.

Theresa Happe said:
Yeah, realistically, the words I'd like to tell people never come out of my mouth. But, it wouldn't be hard to say that you don't make enough money off of your cakes to make it worth it.

Diana Viera said:
I agree totally with everyone's remarks. It sounds like you should go on your own. Have you ever thought about it? You do make deserts for the restaurants and maybe you should be putting the money into your own pocket. Tell your boss you appreciate that she's referring you to someone but you cannot afford to "5" anyone because it's difficult to make ends meet as it is now. Good luck ~ we all have your back:)
I have to disagree about a kickback being standard procedure. I get referrals from a lot of vendors, including catering halls and hotels, and there are never any kind of finders fees or kickbacks involved. This includes being on "preferrred vendor lists" and also just word of mouth referrals from other vendors. If someone wanted a kickback or a percentage of the referral I'd tell them to go take a leap.The only benefit the restaurant owner should get is her client being grateful to her for referring her to a great baker.
It probably varies from one location to another.
I think your correct in your thinking. Sure this lady thinks your good enough to make the cake, but is she buying the ingredients, or doing the work? Probably not. So I would say to her, sorry no can do. Its not like your doign the work while our working for the resteraunt on the time clock.
I had a local bakery here offer to send me wedding cake business for 10% a very long time ago...I was more than irritated by the offer. I sent business their way all the time ...people who wanted sheetcakes and I don't care much for spending time on sheetcakes...and I never asked them for a 10% fee! This bakery doesn't even make wedding cakes but they want 10% from me...sounds like a greed to me. So glad I never agreed to that...I did great on my own without them and I believe I have more credibility without them referring business to me. They send their wedding cake business to other cake decorators in the area but they aren't wedding cake orders that I would want anyway....these are brides looking for a discount price.

I think you should tell your bosses wife to make the cake for her friend herself or send her to Wal-mart!
I feel like you do, if someone refers a customer to me thats great, but getting something for a simple referral is not right.

I can't believe that someone would do that to a person. This is a very irritating subject. ou get recomendations by word of mouth, either the cake is great or its not. I did a promo for a local radio station I let them knw right off the bat that it was a one time freebie. But they order every six weeks now. and I also hear the dj's talking on air about how good the cake is and how they love the decorations on the cake. Also at one point family members expected me to do the dessert for any family get togethers, it got old really fast. But they got over that. Usually if a person is a new customer I will give them a coupon to come back but not free or give someone a finder's fee. This is ludicous. Dena Bryngelson said:
I had a local bakery here offer to send me wedding cake business for 10% a very long time ago...I was more than irritated by the offer. I sent business their way all the time ...people who wanted sheetcakes and I don't care much for spending time on sheetcakes...and I never asked them for a 10% fee! This bakery doesn't even make wedding cakes but they want 10% from me...sounds like a greed to me. So glad I never agreed to that...I did great on my own without them and I believe I have more credibility without them referring business to me. They send their wedding cake business to other cake decorators in the area but they aren't wedding cake orders that I would want anyway....these are brides looking for a discount price.

I think you should tell your bosses wife to make the cake for her friend herself or send her to Wal-mart!
this is the craziest thing i ever heard of i wouldn't give her crap or tell her i'll give you a cut if you come and help and pinch in half the the cost of ingredients
FIRST, YOU HAVE THE TALENT SO ITS YOUR ART YOUR TIME YOUR INVESTMENT. SECOND MAYBE SHE KNOWS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO REFFER YOU. BUT IS NOT FAIR FOR YOU. I KNOW IF YOU PUT ALL YOUR HEART YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A SUCCESFULL BUSSINESS.

YOU HAVE THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS SO LETS GO OUT AND FOUND YOUR CUSTOMERS AND FORGET YOUR BOSS.

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