Going from the microwave to your mouth in mere minutes, The Greeting Cake Company has a cake that will change your opinion on microwaved foods. Unlike most foods that find their way into the device, these cakes come out moist and delicious. With cakes for nearly any occasion, they are the perfect gift or the perfect treat for that special moment you’d like to celebrate… not bake.
Impressed by the way the product tasted, Maureen Lucier became a distributer and launched as Greeting Cake Lane just a few years ago. As her business has grown she’s learned a few lessons along the way.
We recently had the opportunity to ask Maureen a few questions about The Greeting Cake Company and her experiences with it.
Tell us a little about The Greeting Cake Company.
The Greeting Cake Company is based in Colorado and was started by a mom with 5 boys 6 years ago. She has since sold it to her sister who also happens to be my sponsor. The company supplies the distributors with individual plastic containers that have a decorative label on top pertaining to a certain occasion. In each container is everything you need to make your microwave cake including a candle and non edible confetti.
What inspired you to become an Independent Distributor?
I became a distributor for so many reasons I just really loved the product and thought it could be a lot of fun and wanted to supplement my income. I also liked the idea that I would be selling a product that was unique and inexpensive (each cake is $6 plus shipping). The startup costs were minimal and I didn’t have to purchase any inventory unless I wanted too. Each quarter you have to reach a certain quota ($10) I knew that wouldn’t be a problem. The owner of the company herself responded to all my tons of questions and encouraged me to ask more. I even googled the company to see if I could find anything bad about them. All I could find was positive stories. They have it set up so you can inexpensively have your own website until you can afford your own. Your customer places an order and the parent company sends them the cakes. You get paid commission once a month. I also felt my customer base would be endless as I had so many ideas for where I could sell them. You can also recruit people which earns the distributor special financial privileges. Lastly I ordered one and it was delicious!! I knew this company was exactly what I was looking for.
What events do you have cakes for? What are the flavors?
We have cakes for all occasions: Birthday (kids & adults), All major holidays, Get Well, Congratulations, New Home, Teacher/Student, Wedding, Friendship, World’s Greatest (Fill in any sport) and Just Because Cakes and so many more. We have new designs that come out all the time and some can be personalized for about $.50 cents. Flavors are Chocolate Cake/Chocolate Icing — Vanilla Cake/Vanilla Icing — White Cake/Chocolate Icing — Brownie Cake — Lemon Cake
How do you make one?
When you get your cake you take everything out and there is an instruction card in the container. A measuring cup and spoon to stir is also in the container , (all you need is water and a microwave).
- Pour cake batter in washed container
- Add water with little cup supplied and stir
- Put in microwave for 1 min 45 secs
- While cake is cooking put icing in little cup and add 3 teaspoons of water and stir
- Let cake cool and then icing
- Pour sprinkles on cake
- Add candle
- Find some singers and let someone throw the confetti
How about the distributor opportunity. What are the requirements?
To become a distributor you need to purchase a kit for $40.00 which includes 6 different occasion cakes and some necessary paperwork to help you get started. You must submit a W-9 and fill out an online application form. Once they get the W-9 you will get an ID# that will allow you to purchase wholesale. You will also be assigned a sponsor if you were not referred by someone, which is a great asset to help you get started.
Any advice you’d like to offer anyone that might be considering this business opportunity?
My advice if you are considering becoming a Greeting Cake distributor would be to order one. That is what sealed the deal for me. If you and your family liked the whole experience think of all the other people that would like it too.
What are some goals you’d like to accomplish with this business?
I actually have two goals. One is to be able to become successful enough that I can deliver them to children’s hospitals. I also would like to be able to send them to our soldiers from CT on their birthdays. I know I have a ways to go.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from your time as a distributor?
If I could do it again I probably would have named it something else. Only because I want to make sure my customers go to my website and not the company’s website. So if they only google Greeting Cake and don’t add “Lane” they could very easily go to the main company website and not realize it. They do have the option if they place an order to write in my name but if they don’t I won’t even know. So I do worry about that a lot. I also learned to share your product with everyone and anyone because someone always knows someone who is having a birthday or a baby. Lastly don’t be afraid to make a phone call all they can do is say “No Thank You”. I made a phone call to an online College Custom Package Company. He told me my timing couldn’t be better and to send him a sample. I sent him two and it is looking very good that he is going to put me in his line for the Fall. Fingers Crossed!!
Any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs that are just getting started?
Join a network group if you can. What I have found is people love to hear what you do and they want to help you anyway they can. Especially this product people and kids are so intrigued and it doesn’t break the bank to buy one. I joined a group and the lady who runs it made a barter arrangement with me. Each month whoever has a birthday they get a cake from me and in return I am on her website and email blasts all the time. Also giving away free product if you can, it gets the word out. Don’t give up keep persevering!!
I just want to add this company bends over backwards for their distributors. Their motto is “Everything is Learn as You go” and that really appealed to me. I feel they are a “young” company with so much potential and I just really want to grow with them.
