Creating Repeat Customers: Why They Matter More Than You Think

In this episode, Annie explores why repeat customers are more valuable than constantly chasing new ones.

She shares how simple follow-ups, customer tracking, and gentle reminders can turn one-off orders into repeat bookings, without being pushy or salesy.

If you want a calmer, more sustainable baking business, this episode shows how building loyalty can do the heavy lifting for you.

For regular delves into baking business matters, including taking part in podcast episodes:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#subscribe

For structured support, training and accountability, including privacy notice template:
Join The Home Baking Business Academy Membership

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

For free tips, insight and real-world business talk:
Follow me on social media

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

https://www.tiktok.com/@hbbacademy

For her website with all this and more:

anniebennett.co.uk

GDPR: information Commissioners Office (ICO)

Find out if you need to register:

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/advice-for-small-organisations/getting-started-with-gdpr/does-data-protection-law-apply-to-my-business/

Why Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone Is Good for Business

If your business feels stuck or flat, it’s often not a skills issue — it’s a comfort issue.

In this episode, Annie explores why staying comfortable in business can quietly hold you back, and why real growth usually sits just outside what feels safe and familiar. This isn’t about taking reckless risks, but about making sensible decisions that lead to a more sustainable, profitable business.

In this episode:

• Why comfort feels good but often costs you more than you realise
• How comfort shows up in home baking businesses
• Why growth happens at the edge of what feels familiar
• What moving out of your comfort zone actually looks like in practice
• Why discomfort is information, not a red flag
• How better boundaries and clearer decisions lead to profit

Annie also shares a personal decision, closing her long-running free Facebook group, and why choosing progress over familiarity matters if you want a business that truly works.

If you have found this episode useful, please follow of subscribe on the platform that you listen on, and leave a review!

Connect with Annie:

For regular delves into baking business matters, including taking part in podcast episodes:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#subscribe

For structured support, training and accountability:
Join The Home Baking Business Academy Membership

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

For free tips, insight and real-world business talk:
Follow me on social media

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

https://www.tiktok.com/@hbbacademy

For her website with all this and more:

anniebennett.co.uk

Social Media Wins & Wobbles

Social media is changing, and if it’s been feeling harder or less predictable lately, you’re not imagining it.

In this community episode, Annie shares real social media wins and wobbles from business owners navigating content as platforms evolve. Instead of chasing trends or hacks, this conversation focuses on clarity, sustainability, and adapting your content so it still works now.

You’ll hear:

• The most common social media frustrations right now
• Real examples of posts people are proud of
• What happens when you stop trying to speak to everyone
• Why clarity matters more than volume
• How the algorithm uses clarity to decide who to show your content to

The algorithm doesn’t want louder content — it wants clearer signals.

If you want calmer systems, clearer messaging, and a content approach that fits your life, you’ll find details about the Academy below;

Please follow us/subscribe on which ever platform you are listening on…and give us a review, it would be most appreciated.

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for January’s Social media training:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

https://www.tiktok.com/@hbbacademy

I was delighted to have Claire as my guest for a chat, in my facebook group, The Home Baking Business Academy Network. Thank you so much for joining me Claire.

Claire tells me a little of how she became an EHO, and then answers these questions:

- Can you tell us what an EHO does?

- What do you look for in a kitchen inspection?

- What things will mark a baker down from a 5 rating?

- Why do different EHOs seem to have different priorities/criteria?

- Where should we store eggs?

- What changes does a baker need to report to their EHO? E.G. new kitchen? moving house? making new products i.e. cheesecakes? savoury foods?

- What illnesses might prevent a baker from trading? i.e. baker’s child has chicken pox or covid?

- What should food traders do at markets when the weather is very hot or very cold?

- What about handwashing at markets?

- Would having a dog in the house prevent me from home baking?

- Can I run a business with an open plan kitchen and lounge?

- What happens when an EHO gets a complaint?

- What do we put in the ‘prove it’ section of the SFBB?

- Can we use food gels and sprinkles past their Best Before Date?

- Does a baker need a different set of equipment for allergen free bakes?

if you have any more questions... then ask them in The Home Baking Business Academy Network Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebakingbusinesscommunityuk

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for January's Social Media Reboot month:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

And there are free guides, including pricing, on Annie’s website:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#freeguides

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

https://www.tiktok.com/@hbbacademy

Why Your Content Isn’t the Problem, Your Strategy Is

If you’re posting consistently on social media, but not seeing enquiries or growth, this episode will change how you look at your content.

Most bakers don’t have a content problem.
They have a strategy problem.

In this episode, Annie breaks down the 5 biggest reasons your content isn’t working — and the simple system profitable bakers use to attract the right people, build trust, and convert enquiries without burning out.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why posting more isn’t the answer
• The 5 mistakes holding your content back
• How to build a calm, repeatable content system
• What actually drives enquiries and sales

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for January’s Social Media Reboot Month

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

And there are free guides, including pricing, on Annie’s website:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#freeguides

And join the facebook group, The Home Baking Business Academy Network, (previously The home Baking Business Community UK) and get involved with future episodes here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebakingbusinesscommunityuk

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

In the last episode of the 2025, I chat about looking back on the year, and give some tips about noting down wins and using them to help you plan forward to 2026.

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for December’s goals month:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

And there are free guides, including pricing, on Annie’s website:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#freeguides

And join the facebook group, The Home Baking Business Academy Network, (previously The home Baking Business Community UK) and get involved with future episodes here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebakingbusinesscommunityuk

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

In this episode I give a few tips about naming your home baking business, and share some naming stories from some of my baking community.

To check names:

If it’s trademarked: https://www.gov.uk/search-for-trademark

Limited Company Search: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/

Domain name searches

Most website providers will tell you if your chosen name is available, here are a few:

https://www.ionos.co.uk/domains/domain-names

https://www.godaddy.com/en-uk/domains

https://www.wix.com/domains/domain-name-search

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for December’s goals month:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

And there are free guides, including pricing, on Annie’s website:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#freeguides

And join the facebook group, The Home Baking Business Academy Network, (previously The home Baking Business Community UK) and get involved with future episodes here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebakingbusinesscommunityuk

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy

Ziggy Li, the Flowering Baker

I’m the creator behind The Flowering Baker, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Once a Science Teacher, now a proud mum of two, living with my husband in the heart of the Midlands. When I’m not creating bespoke cakes, you’ll find me spending time with my family, enjoying the beauty of the countryside.

My baking journey started by making birthday cakes (football themed, princess, unicorns, Harry Potter etc) for my own children and friends. However, through the love of all things flowers and, of course cake, I found myself learning the art of handpiping buttercream flowers! And in February 2024, that is when The Flowering Baker officially blossomed! It’s been a very steep learning curve with no background in business but I love to share my journey, its challenges and how ignoring my imposter syndrome for a decision opened up doors that I would have never imagined! It’s been a crazy year but I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

Website: https://thefloweringbaker.co.uk/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefloweringbaker/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/thefloweringbaker/

TIPS:

Shows: Don’t be afraid to ask for a specific location or spot at the event - make it work for you!

See if it’s been well advertised so check previous years. Better advertisement better footfall and/or sales!

Suppliers:

Whether events suppliers (e.g. wedding suppliers, venues, services, cafes etc) tag them! Use @mention in your Stories or tag them in your posts! Collab tag suppliers so they can post your work on their platforms thereby leveraging on their audiences!

TFP links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1919130158350620

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2913759308876359

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1976528095939154

Ziggy Mentioned….

The Home Baking Business Bible (previously the Home Baking Business handbook)

https://amzn.eu/d/g9s3GRj

The Home baking Business Food hygiene Record Book:

https://amzn.eu/d/5cgKcn2

Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy, including details for December’s goals month:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/the-home-baking-business-academy/

And there are free guides, including pricing, on Annie’s website:

https://anniebennett.co.uk/#freeguides

And join the facebook group, The Home Baking Business Academy Network, (previously The home Baking Business Community UK) and get involved with future episodes here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebakingbusinesscommunityuk

Follow The Home Baking Business Academy:

https://www.instagram.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy/

https://www.facebook.com/thehomebakingbusinessacademy