Taking business from my friend?

[CakesVsMates]

Hi so. My friend 1 started up a cake making business over a year ago. She is really good and charges £60-£200 for her cakes sometimes more. Last summer she got really busy with the wedding cakes. She often asked me to drop off her cakes to the customers and then eventually she asked if I would help her make the decorations or do the mixing etc. I didn't mind I was on maternity and enjoyed getting out of the house. We are actually good friends.

Some weeks were busier than others she would pay me £10 per cake. We usually did one cake per week sometimes 2 sometimes non all month. (I spoke to HR and told them the money I earned just for info).

Any way fast forward. I am currently a sahm and I actually look forward to helping my friend and the odd £10 helps as I do not have any other income. Husband works but that's a whole different thread.

I must add I am NOT a baker. I am not very good and the only reason I got into the cake making was to help my friend.

On Saturday at my daughters classmates party another friend of mine (friend 2) who's daughter is really good friends with my daughter however us mums are not that close. (Myself and friend1 and friend2 live on the same estate and our friends all went to nursery together).

Asked if I would have time to make her dd a birthday cake. She knows I only help friend 1 and that it isn't my business. She said her daughter really wants me (her daughters good friends mum) to make one the same as I made my own daughter. I didn't know what to say. I said I would speak to friend1. Friend2 said she just wanted me to do it so I wondered why I had to speak with friend1.

So the WWYD.

Do I give her my friends number. She has liked my friends business Facebook page so knows what she does. She sees photos that a share of friends1 business and when I take my dd to play at her house we chat about where I have been or what I've been up too.

Do I make it and give my friend some money as a kind of finders fee.

Do I say no.

I do not want to fall out with either or take business from friend 1.

Not really a big deal however friend2 had commented on a photo of my dd cake and said her dd is so excited but wants the character changing. Cake will be the same just different colours.

Thanks x

Honestly is just do it. Presumably she can't afford other friends charges so if agree a price - cost of ingredients plus a small amount if you feel like you cant charge what your friend does.

I think it would be very odd for no one else in the friendship group to be allowed to make cakes because one person has it as their business

Thanks for the reply. I've not said yes yet. I'm seeing friend 1 this afternoon so I might mention it x

I wouldn't. I'd be honest - you've said you're not a baker, so it's not likely to. Be good 'PR'.

Think about the reputation long term - for one cake I wouldn't feel it's worth jeopardising.

I doubt you would actually be taking business from Friend 1. As a PP said, I suspect that part of the reason you have been asked (and not Friend 1, who Friend 2 knows is does this as a business) is that Friend 2 does not want to spend a huge amount of money. Has payment been discussed?

I have a friend who makes beautiful but very expensive cakes. She is often asked by friends and acquaintances to make cakes for children's parties on the assumption that she'll only charge a bit more than a supermarket ready-made cake or will reduce the price because they are friends/her DD is going to the party/they can't afford her usual fees. I know she would rather someone else make the cake than have the embarrassment of standing her ground or end up turning down well paid work to do this.

However, if you do this and don't mention it to Friend 1 (given that you seem quite close and discuss other stuff) I think it would look a bit underhanded. I'd have a chat with her about it and say what you've said here- you don't want to take her business away or fall out but would quite like to make the cake.