We recently spoke with the award winning team at Speciality Cakes, Cambuslang who gave us an insight into what it really takes to make a successful long lasting business. They are based in Cambuslang Main Street have recently just been given an award for being one of the top three cake makers in glasgow award from the prestigious Three Best Rated.co.uk. Speciality Cakes have certainly stood the test of time as their shop still stands pride of place in a town where empty shop units are on the increase.
Since they opened their doors in the early 90’s (initially in the Halfway area then moving onto present premises) they have seen many neighbouring shops close their doors for a final time due to the declining foot fall on our high streets with the rise of online shopping, crippling rent rates and the larger supermarkets taking monopoly over these smaller ran businesses.
Here are a few honest snippets from our conversation!
Cakes – They pride themselves in being one of the very few speciality bakers in Scotland who actually bake their own cakes on the premises. They also boast Scotland’s largest wedding cake display in the shop and are one of the largest wedding and birthday cake makers in Glasgow.
Social Media – The team were “late on the band wagon” with Facebook and Instagram so they really had to catch up and teach themselves the basics after they seen their competitors reaping the benefits from being online. They seen a gap in their knowledge but had a fire in them to join what they call the “modern world” and not let anything hold them back. They set themselves up with basic social media channels at first, rebranded their image by paying a company to set up a new website with a logo and gave their shop a freshen up with a lick of paint to brighten up inside the premises. All of this showed their passion for sustainability.
Reputation – Initially they noticed a decline in their customer orders when the bigger supermarkets moved in but it thankfully it hasn’t affected their business too much due to the reputation they built up over the years. They find that even though customers may be swayed towards the cheaper price points that the bigger fish can offer , 9 out of 10 times they will always come back to them . Mainly due to their reputation of always delivering fantastic handmade quality cakes . One of the key points I really loved when speaking to the team was that they know their own self worth. They are not looking to “haggle” for business. There is no need when they believe in their products. They know the time, attention to detail, staff hours and skill it takes to make the quality cakes that they do and all of these skill sets she in the gorgeous cakes you will find lining their shop window.
“It is said that a house is only as good as its foundations and cakes are no different. “
Lastly we asked them for their…
5 TOP TIPS FOR SUSTAINING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
- GO FOR IT! Business is one of the biggest risks you can take in terms of money but luckily in Scotland the government have schemes that are set up specifically to help small business with funding and vital advise.
- A delicious secret recipe in their cakes that no one will ever be able to replicate
- Learn on your own time. They get invites to seminars frequently but they are more valuable in store so they really need to make the most of free time to progress the knowledge it takes to adapt to fast paced world of business.
- Get involved in community and know what is happening around your area.
- “Proof is in the Pudding” – Know your worth!
Contact Speciality Cakes at:
https://www.specialitycakesglasgow.co.uk/contact/
Phone : 0141 646 2054
Email: s.cakes@hotmail.co.uk
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