What do you do when friends/family want you to make them something? I'm so new in the cake/cookie business that mostly all I'm getting are friends and family orders. My husband is getting tired of "freebies" as he calls them. I call it gaining experience. I also feel guilty for charging full price since I don't have overhead or a shop.
So what do you do: Do you give them discounts? Charge them full price? Charge them at all?
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I charge the same for everyone and I did that from the beginning so they aren't expecting any favors. Don't worry, if they want the cookies they will still pay.
I tend to agree with your husband and Sheila. If you set the expectation that all your friends and family will get discounts, then all you'll ever have time to do is discounted orders for family and friends. It's tough to build a viable, money-making business this way.
I always charged friends when I had my bakery (even without the overhead of a shop). Immediate family got freebies on special occasions only.
I think it really depends on why you are in "business". My family doesn't rely on this income (which isn't much for me since I don't take on many orders), so I don't charge friends and family, or charge very little if they need a lot of cookies. Sometimes I live up to my name 
Gosh that makes so much sense when you put it that way! I still need to be "business minded" when thinking of my favorite people It's hard!
cookies by Charity that made me laugh! 
cute
So happy to see I'm not the only one feeling guilty here...luckily my family appreciates the work I put into them and insists on paying me!
HA! I just responded to the cookie pricing forum in regards to friends and family discounts. I wish I had friends and family who insisted on paying. I've gotten many requests for birthdays, graduations, quinceanera's, and the list goes on and on. All these requests were expecting to be free. In some instances I don't mind doing things as a donation or as a madrina (god mother) but not in every single instance. I come from a very small town so most of my business has gone to the other lady with the cheaper prices. I have focused on school for a while but I don't see a reason why I can't make this a profitable and appreciated business. Sorry to vent but I've been put through the ringer with the whole pricing thing.
