Goal Setting for Cake Artists: Start the Year with a Clear Plan
Hello, my sweet friends, a new year feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? It’s a time to reflect, dream, and decide how you want your business to grow. But let’s be honest—dreaming is the easy part. Turning those dreams into reality? That takes planning. As a cake artist, you already juggle so many roles: creator, marketer, manager, and maybe even delivery driver. That’s why setting clear, achievable goals is the first step toward a successful and less stressful year.
Let’s dive into some tips on making you take control of your business with goals that inspire and energize you, rather than weigh you down
Why Goal Setting Matters
Setting goals isn’t just about writing a list of things you want to achieve. It’s about giving yourself direction and purpose.
Without clear goals, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day hustle, feeling like you’re working hard but not getting anywhere. Setting goals can help you:
Stay Focused, with a clear outcome it is easier to stay on track and avoid distractions.
Measure Progress is key to keep you motivated.
Grow Strategically: Instead of chasing every opportunity, you can prioritize what aligns with your vision.
There are many types of goals you can set as a cake artists. Think of your goals as layers in a cake: each one builds on the next. Take a look at these three types of goals:
Long-Term Goals (This is your big vision)
These are your “dreams” goals that might take a year or more to achieve, like:Opening your own cake studio.
Launching a line of online classes.
Reaching a specific income milestone.
Medium-Term Goals (Building Blocks)
These goals will help you get closer to your long-term goals. For instance:Developing a new menu of signature cakes.
Growing your social media following.
Upgrading your photography skills for better marketing.
Short-Term Goals (Quick Wins)
These are actionable steps you can achieve in the next month or quarter, like:Organizing your workspace.
Testing three new recipes for Valentine’s Day.
Updating your website portfolio.
Now, let’s take a look of how to Set Achievable Goals
I like to use the SMART method when setting goals—it stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Let’s break it down:
Specific: Instead of saying, “I want more customers,” try “I want to book three wedding cake orders each month.”
Measurable: How will you know if you've achieved your goal? Set specific metrics to track your progress.
Achievable: Be ambitious, but realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure.
Relevant: Your goals should align with your overall vision for your business.
Time-bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable.
Here are some tips to set achievable goals:
Set Realistic Goals: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Set goals that are challenging but achievable according to your knowledge and resources or even goals that you know you can work towards achieving or learning skills to make them happen.
Break Them Down: Large goals can seem daunting. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Set milestones to achieve and create a timeline for your goals.
Review and Adjust: Regularly review your goals and make adjustments as needed. It is ok to change or pivot if something is not working.
And remember:
Dream Big: What are your long-term goals for your cake business? Write them down.
Break It Down: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, achievable steps.
Create a Plan: Develop a detailed plan for achieving your goals.
Take Action: Start working on your goals today.
Track Your Progress: Keep track of your progress and celebrate your successes.
Here are some tools to help you stay on track
You don’t have to figure this all out alone! There are many tools and apps to choose from in order to get your goals set, however, I would love to share some of my favorite tools
Planners and Calendars: A good planner can help you break down big goals into smaller tasks.
( I am creating a new planner for cake artists)
Apps: Tools like Trello or Asana are great for keeping track of your projects, or simply use a template from Google Sheets or Excell to keep your goals in check.
Accountability: Share your goals with a fellow cake artist or join a community to stay motivated. Our beloved Cake Friends Stay Creative community as well as the big Saraccino family are here to give you that peer support.
Now, I love setting goals in the beginning of the year ( even before the previous year ends) here is my personal Goal-Setting ritual
I take a day to sit down with a cup of tea (or maybe hot chocolate—it’s still winter, after all!) and reflect on the previous year. I celebrate the wins, big and small, and look honestly at what didn’t work.
I follow these step by a session of gratitude journaling. Here I write down all the things I am grateful for, good and bad, because we even learn from mistakes and I can turn downfalls into a reason to be grateful. Then, I brainstorm where I want to go next and map out the steps to get there.
I also give myself permission to adjust as the year goes on. Goals are a guide, not a prison. Sometimes, life happens, and that’s okay. What matters is having a plan to start with.
Remember that if you need any help on setting achievable goals, The Art Cake Coach offers you lot´s of tools, information and even podcast episodes that can help you to start the year.
So my sweet friend, this year, I challenge you to take an hour—just one hour—to write down your goals. Make them bold but manageable. Dream big, but also think practically about how you’ll make those dreams happen.
Goal setting is a journey, not a destination. Don't get discouraged if you don't achieve all of your goals right away. Just keep taking action and you will see progress.
Remember, every masterpiece starts with a plan. Let’s make 2025 your most successful year yet, one goal at a time.
And as always , Stay Safe and Stay Creative!