Behind every dog mom, is a dog cheering her on as she’s working towards her goals. And girl, let me tell you. These goals sometimes take money. So, why not have a side hustle that gives you the best of both worlds? A side hustle that gives you the chance to spend time with your dog and make some extra dough.
This in this blog post we’re sharing 10 ways you can turn baking pupcakes into a side hustle.
BAKING PUPCAKES IS A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
Before we get started, let’s talk about self-care. A side hustle is a second job or business that someone does outside of their primary job to earn some extra money. In essence, this means that you could be juggling several responsibilities at one time, which can get overwhelming. So, it’s important to prioritize ways to practice self-care and your well-being.
This is why baking pupcakes is a great activity. It gives you a chance to practice mindfulness, which enhances your well-being. The process of measuring, mixing, and decorating requires focus and attention, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety. As a mindfulness activity, baking pupcakes gives you the chance to:
Increase Focus and Concentration – Baking requires you to concentrate on the task at hand, which can help divert your mind from daily stressors.
Channel Your Creativity – Decorating pupcakes allows you to express your creativity. Channeling your creativity not only helps with your mental well-being, but it can also enhance your ability to problem solve, boost your self-esteem, and encourage personal growth.
Get A Sense of Accomplishment – Baking a batch of pupcakes gives you a chance to accomplish a task. It may sound like a small thing, but completing a project can give you a sense of accomplish. The more small tasks you complete the more opportunity you give yourself to boost confidence.
Spend Quality Time with Your Dog – Baking pupcakes for your dog gives you a chance to spend quality time with your dog. Dogs offer their dog moms unconditional love and support. This unconditional love acts as a steady source of emotional support, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and providing a sense of being understood and valued.
CREATING YOUR BAKING ROUTINE
Mindfulness baking is all about intention. The calmer and more relaxed you are while baking, the better your pupcakes will turn out. So, you want to establish a baking routine that gives you the space to do so. Here are a few steps to do it.
Set Up a Calm Environment – Choose a quiet, clutter-free space for baking. Play music, listen to a podcast, or any other sounds that relax you while you bake. My favorite pupcake baking music genre is 90’s R&B.
Practice Deep Breathing – Before you start, take a few deep breaths to center yourself and set a calm tone for your baking session. Think of baking your pupcakes as your meditation practice for the moment.
Stay Present – Baking pupcakes is about enjoying the moment. Focus on each step of the baking process. Pay attention to the textures, smells, and sounds as you mix and bake.
Take Your Time – Avoid rushing through the process. Allow yourself to enjoy each moment and the satisfaction of creating something special for your dog. In fact, the only clock you should be looking at is the timer after you put your pupcakes in the oven.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR MINDFULNESS PUPCAKE BAKING
After you create your baking routine, there are a few essentials you’ll need to get started with your side hustle. Consider these essentials an investment.
Ingredients – Choose your ingredients. Start with your staple ingredients. Common ingredients include flour, baking powder, peanut butter, honey, carrots, blueberries, and other dog-safe ingredients.
Tools – Mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a whisk, cupcake pans are some of the essentials you’ll need to get started with baking. To get started, check out our list of the 8 Essential Tools You’ll Need in Your Pupcake Baking Starter Kit.
Beginner Pupcake Recipes – Find recipes that are simple with simple ingredients. Especially, if you’re new to baking pupcakes or a side hustle. Recipes like the ones in Sugar’s Dish: My Start from Scratch Story & 10 “Easy As Pupcake” Recipes to Try at Home eBook will help you build a solid offering for your baking side-hustle without a lot of extra steps.
10 PUPCAKE SIDE HUSTLE IDEAS
After you’ve gotten your essentials together, it’s time to start side hustlin’. Here are 10 ideas to get your started in your pupcake side hustle.
Create Custom Orders for Special Occasions – Offer custom pupcakes for dog birthdays, gotcha days, and other special events. Start by promoting your services through social media and word of mouth. Custom orders allow you to add a personal touch and charge a premium.
Sell at Local Farmers’ Markets – Set up a booth at local farmers’ markets to sell your pupcakes. Farmers’ markets are a great way to reach new customers and get direct feedback. Create an attractive display and offer samples to draw people in.
Partner with Pet Stores and Groomers – Supply your pupcakes to local pet stores and groomers. This can help you reach a broader audience without having to manage all the sales yourself. Approach potential partners with samples and a simple proposal.
Host Pupcake Decorating Workshops – Organize small workshops where dog moms can learn how to bake and decorate pupcakes. This is a fun way to engage with your community and share your passion. Promote these events through social media and local pet networks.
Cater Pet Parties – Provide catering services for pet parties, including pupcakes and other treats. Start with small events and expand as you gain experience. Use social media and word-of-mouth to market your services.
Sell Pupcakes Online – Set up an online store on websites such as Etsy or Shopify. You may even decide to set up your own website or Instagram or Facebook shop to sell your pupcakes. Use high-quality photos and engaging captions to showcase your pupcakes. Interact with people on social media and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
Expand Pet Services – If you’re already a dog sitter, walker, or offer other pet services, add freshly baked pupcakes to your offerings. Pet parents will be able to purchase the pupcakes from you, which allows you to make some extra money from your already established client-base. Offering pupcakes can differentiate your business and provide additional value to your clients. Promote this new service through your existing channels.
Create Gift Baskets – Assemble and sell gift baskets featuring pupcakes and other dog treats for special occasions. Market these gift baskets as unique, personalized gifts for dog lovers. Use social media and local events to promote your gift baskets. You can also create and sell barkcuterie boards with pupcakes as a main attraction for your boards.
Host Pop-Up Shops – Collaborate with local businesses to host pop-up shops where you can sell your gourmet pupcakes. This allows you to reach new customers, create buzz around your products, and build partnerships with other local entrepreneurs.
Offer Subscription Boxes – Create a monthly subscription box service that includes a variety of gourmet pupcakes. This provides a recurring revenue stream and keeps your customers engaged with new and exciting products regularly. Promote your subscription service through social media and your website to attract loyal subscribers.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Baking pupcakes opens the door to opportunities. Not only is it a great way to spend bonding time with your dog, but it also opens the door to creating a side hustle that puts more money in your pocket. More importantly, it’s a mindfulness practice, which is essential for your health and well-being.
Now, we’d also love to hear from you. Do you have a pet business side hustle? Are you thinking about starting one? How do you think you can add pupcakes to the mix to earn some extra cash? Share your stories and connect with us @pupcakesugar.
Check out our pupcake recipe eBook, Sugar’s Dish: My Start from Scratch Story & 10 “Easy As Pupcake” Recipes to Try at Home. This eBook includes 10 beginner pupcake recipes for you to try at home with your dog.
You’ll also get a chance to step into Sugar’s world. I love my dog, Sugar, and her daily shenanigans make me laugh. So, I created an illustrated character inspired by her and her love of pupcakes. Sugar’s character is a “pupcakepreneur” that owns and operates her own pupcakery called Pupcake Sugar. It’s a tongue twister, but it’s amazing what you can create when you let your imagination lead the way.
Also, sign up for the Pupcake Sugar mailing list to get Sugar’s favorite birthday pupcake recipe to try at home with your dog. It’s great for dog moms who are new to baking dog treats.
