“Mum, Dad, can I go skiing with the school next year?”
Mum and Dad exchange glances. The financial situation is not brilliant.
“Of course son, so long as you pay for it.”
“What, like last year when I saved up my money and did extra jobs around the house so contributed nearly a third towards the costs?”
Awkward pause…
“Er, no son, you’ll need to contribute considerably more this year. Extra jobs around the house are still taking money from our pockets. I’m afraid you’ll need to find a way to bring in an external income…”
“Ah…”
And so began discussions, brainstorming, head scratching, scribbling down ideas, dismissing them, revising them, and the creation of a waste basket overflowing with screwed up sheets of paper (ready for recycling, of course) until our friend Mark asked if Rogan would bake a cake for his wife’s birthday.
Mark knew Rogan was looking to earn some money and also knew he has his mother’s touch when it comes to baking. Thus a new business was born.
Leaflets still need to be created, but word of mouth is already spreading and he has a couple of orders lined up for next month already.
The past few days have been spent helping Rogan set up a spreadsheet for accounts, a client database, a cake database (or cakabase as Rogan like’s to call it) and, of course, a basic website.*
Using Blogger and removing the dates and comments options, we’ve managed to create a free website which isn’t plastered in all the ads most free websites insist on. So when you’ve got a moment, do pop over to These are not just cakes…
I’m afraid postage and delivery options are zilch for this business. If you want to order one of Rogan’s cakes you need to be able to pick it up yourself. However, if you know anyone in, or passing through, SW Scotland, do point then in Rogan’s direction.
*Some fathers teach their kids how to build train sets, go fishing or light a campfire…
Wow. Is that one of Rogan's cakes? I'm thoroughly impressed!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to him and his venture :)
Wow!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was in Scotland at the moment...
wow, wow, wow! is right, sugar...xox
ReplyDeleteThat's a BEAUTIFUL cake!
ReplyDeleteIf I were in Scotland, I'd but two!
buy..... duhh..... now, maybe Rogan can sell cups of coffee to go with the cake?
ReplyDeleteA fabulous idea and a truly scrumptious photo. Makes my mouth water just to look at it!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, by when does he need to have raised the funds? It's Stevie's birthday on the 17th June and although I normally make the cake I'd happily farm out the job to Rogan. Does he have a speciality?
ReplyDeleteLet them all eat cake...and pay your son handsomely for each one. Great success to him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a really brilliant idea, earning cash + learning how to run a business. How old is Rogan? (I'm pleased that I can't reach into the computer to taste what looks to be a very yummy creation.)
ReplyDeleteLooks good although I suspect that by the time you've tried to steer it through a beard there could be some spreadage (did he let you test one Kim? do you know?did he charge you (being Dad and all)?). If I ever need a cake then I know where to get one. Good luck with the cakes Rogan.
ReplyDeleteSandy
I am filled with respect for Rogan (not like I wasn't already to begin with) for having this enterprising spirit. And I'm filled with greedy longing for that cake! The next time we pass by, I'm ordering one.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion: when we were running our B & B, we were really stuck for getting our pillowcases ironed. If Rogan is good at ironing, he ought to make up a flier and go around to B & Bs, offering his services. Laundries generally charge ridiculous rates and don't always give good service (we even got pillowcases back from them with footprints on them). I know a few people here who iron for B & Bs and do pretty well from it. Rogan could even offer to iron on site, if necessary (it would keep your electricity bills down). I'd say give this AND the cakes a go! But I'm having one of those cakes -- that very one with the strawberries on it! And I'll tell Dina about this, too!
Sounds good mate... next time I'm back I will place an order...
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea, great-looking concoction, and very creative of Rogan. It is inspiring. I wish him success in the venture, and much fun when he earns his holiday.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to send the link to this blog to my 15 year old son. He's finishing up his 9th grade year at school. His course of studies is culinary arts. He baked me a cake for mother's day that was delicious.
Oh, my. It's a good thing I don't live closer - my diet would be in BIG trouble!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your positive feedback - it means a great deal.
ReplyDeleteEryl - let him know what you'd like and he can confirm whether it's possible. Fortunately he has his Mother on hand to consult who is a genius in these matters
And Mary - I'm sure he'd be fine if you wanted to pay in copper jars :)
Very impressive! drool....
ReplyDeleteWell done, Rogan! What an enterprising spirit - I wish him all the luck in the world for his fledgling business and his ski-trip fund.
ReplyDeleteAnd well done you two for teaching him the need to do it for himself.
Gorgeous cake. Flippen slurp, is all I have to say really.
Go Rogan Go Rogan!
ReplyDeleteThey look good - they taste good and by golly they do you good!
Just one of the old ads that would be relevant I'm sure. Would that we were close enough.
genius! what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteActually I think what you're teaching him is worth WAAAAAY more value than any train set.
ReplyDeleteAnything chocolate and gooey always goes down well in this house, should I phone?
ReplyDeleteOh my God, there's even a possible Horlicks and Nutella option.
ReplyDeleteIs Rogan by any chance shippable?
I have an idea!
ReplyDeleteI would like to commission a cake. A custom-made problemchildcake of my very own from Rogan's imagination.
I shall not, of course, be able to eat it but I'll rely on you to tell me what it tastes like. And it's my birthday soon and everything.
Ooooh! It'll be like having a rose named after me or something. My very own cake recipe! Something with liquorice I think. And a wee certificate declaring it to be My Cake!!!
I'd like to commission this cake for 20 pounds towards his school trip.
Whaddaya say, Rogan?
I really want to order a cake. My problem is picking it up. So I guess I will pass. Still, my mouth is watering.
ReplyDeleteWell at this rate we're going to have to figure out a way to post them, or get everyone over to SW Scotland.
ReplyDeleteEryl - Do phone. Rogan's phone number is on his website, although best not to phone him during school hours :) Otherwise, you have my number.
Sam - that is such a lovely offer - Rogan is grinning from ear to ear. Will email you
very impressive Rogan..!!
ReplyDeletewish I could taste it as well.
Do you feel the "power" of your creation...?it even hit canada!
What a fabulous idea! Goooo, Rogan!
ReplyDeletewow, sugar, sam is on to a great idea! i'd seriously do the same...lord knows, i've bought enough candy bars from neighbors kids to support school trips! why not do the same for a www neighbor? ;-)
ReplyDeleteemail me, too! (mmmmmmmm, imagining a chocolate heaven cake...filled with chocolate, covered in chocolate...can you tell i like chocolate?) xox
Emails already underway Savannah :)
ReplyDeleteOooh -- we can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThe youngest is particularly impressed and wants to make sure she gets the lion's share of her sister's cake...