The Cake Boss Knows What’s Up

We love the show the “Cake Boss” on TLC because it’s awesome.  That whole family just proves how awesome family businesses are and how hard they work.  So if you haven’t seen it you definitely need to TIVO it my friends.

Well we came across an article/interview with Buddy (the owner) about the show etc. but the interviewer asked him this question:

Q: “How do you handle customers that have a different idea in mind and don’t want your design?”

A: “That usually doesn’t happen too much. I am the “Cake Boss,” but sometimes you always try to be patient. The customer is always right, but with them always being right, I will give my opinion. So if you tell me, “I want blue polka dots on it,” I’ll say I’ll do it for you, but I think it’s going to look ugly. I give you my opinion. If inevitably that’s what you really want, unless it was something really obscene or I something I really couldn’t stand, then I would say, “Listen, I’m not the guy to make the cake for you.”

We couldn’t agree with you anymore Buddy.  This is so true (well we say the customer is not always right…).  But what he says about “I’m not the guy for you,” if someone wants something obscene or vulgar, he just won’t do it.  Why? Because it’s his business and that’s how he runs it.  He pre-qualifies his customers before he makes them a cake and if it’s something that does not fit with what he does then he lets them know that.

You have to do this with customers.  When you pre-qualify them you have to find out what they expect or want before you know if you’re the right business for them.  If you’re not let them know before hand and don’t get caught in a bad situation later.  What you do is a reflection of your business and if you don’t want to make vulgar or obscene cakes for a customer, then don’t do it.  (and this is soooo true about Buddy because he recently told someone in an episode that he didn’t make these types of cakes.  even his mother said it too.
Read more of the interview: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/22/2099584/cake-boss-enjoys-being-on-television.html#ixzz0uj17g8Ss