ENTREPRENEURSHIP
GETTING STARTED
GETTING STARTED
In 2011 I enrolled in beginner classes for the Wilton method of cake decorating at a Michaels craft store. I was 11, and I needed a hobby. At least according to my mom, I needed a hobby. Well, I bet she had no idea what she was getting herself into.
In 2011 I enrolled in beginner classes for the Wilton method of cake decorating at a Michaels craft store. I was 11, and I needed a hobby. At least according to my mom, I needed a hobby. Well, I bet she had no idea what she was getting herself into.
The Wilton course lasted 4 weeks, and to be candid, it was a bunch of old ladies (one was named North Plum, which I shall never forget) who had nothing better to do on Wednesday evenings but fuss over the most insignificant details of buttercream piping.
The Wilton course lasted 4 weeks, and to be candid, it was a bunch of old ladies (one was named North Plum, which I shall never forget) who had nothing better to do on Wednesday evenings but fuss over the most insignificant details of buttercream piping.
I did poorly on the projects we attempted. Okay, that's a nice way of putting it... my first cakes looked like complete garbage. One time, I froze my American buttercream a couple days prior to class and tried to re-heat it using a microwave when I got to class. It melted into a disappointing puddle staring back at me.
I did poorly on the projects we attempted. Okay, that's a nice way of putting it... my first cakes looked like complete garbage. One time, I froze my American buttercream a couple days prior to class and tried to re-heat it using a microwave when I got to class. It melted into a disappointing puddle staring back at me.
I was crushed and I hated the feeling of my first failure. I promised myself I would try on my own, until I got it right. YouTube tutorials became instrumental in my early learning process. After 2 years of practice and progress, I began my home-based business by doing event cakes for relatives and friends. For reference, here's a comparison of my development over the years. A bit of a rough start (as you'll notice), but growth takes time.
I was crushed and I hated the feeling of my first failure. I promised myself I would try on my own, until I got it right. YouTube tutorials became instrumental in my early learning process. After 2 years of practice and progress, I began my home-based business by doing event cakes for relatives and friends. For reference, here's a comparison of my development over the years. A bit of a rough start (as you'll notice), but growth takes time.
I'm proud of myself for sticking to the skills in order to improve!
I'm proud of myself for sticking to the skills in order to improve!
2012
2012
2017
2017
I decided that creating a business Facebook page & Kijiji ad under "wedding services" could spice (or sweeten!) things up a little. In a short time, I had so much positive feedback and I realized that Peterborough is a great place to be in the baking business. I discovered there was a demand for quality and artistry, without the million dollar price tag attached, and it just wasn't being met by Sobeys or other grocery store bakeries.
I decided that creating a business Facebook page & Kijiji ad under "wedding services" could spice (or sweeten!) things up a little. In a short time, I had so much positive feedback and I realized that Peterborough is a great place to be in the baking business. I discovered there was a demand for quality and artistry, without the million dollar price tag attached, and it just wasn't being met by Sobeys or other grocery store bakeries.
I was paired with two business mentors, a kind couple who ran a successful bread baking business just North of Peterborough. They offered me excellent advice, connections, and an abundance of encouragement.
I was paired with two business mentors, a kind couple who ran a successful bread baking business just North of Peterborough. They offered me excellent advice, connections, and an abundance of encouragement.
I was given the opportunity to meet and bond with fellow entrepreneurs who all shared common mindsets, struggles, and aspirations! I've never felt more in my element.
I was given the opportunity to meet and bond with fellow entrepreneurs who all shared common mindsets, struggles, and aspirations! I've never felt more in my element.
The grant enabled me to rent space in a community kitchen to produce all of my summer orders. The kitchen I rented ended up being such a good fit that I secured it again, for the following 2017 and 2018 wedding seasons. This made a world of difference for the volume of business I was able to accept compared to working from my kitchen in our family home.
The grant enabled me to rent space in a community kitchen to produce all of my summer orders. The kitchen I rented ended up being such a good fit that I secured it again, for the following 2017 and 2018 wedding seasons. This made a world of difference for the volume of business I was able to accept compared to working from my kitchen in our family home.
Summer Company pushed my business to the next level and made me feel confident and excited taking the necessary risks to get there. I highly recommend this program to all youth who have the same spirit and drive for success as I do! Click the button below to find out more about Summer Company.
Summer Company pushed my business to the next level and made me feel confident and excited taking the necessary risks to get there. I highly recommend this program to all youth who have the same spirit and drive for success as I do! Click the button below to find out more about Summer Company.
Summer Company, 2016
Summer Company, 2016
In 2016, I applied to a government program for young entrepreneurs. The award was a $3,000 grant for business start-up costs and successful completion.
In 2016, I applied to a government program for young entrepreneurs. The award was a $3,000 grant for business start-up costs and successful completion.
I was ecstatic when I found out I was one of the 13 accepted candidates. This program provided me with so much more than financial aid.
I was ecstatic when I found out I was one of the 13 accepted candidates. This program provided me with so much more than financial aid.
The staff at Peterborough Economic Development showed me what a unique business community we are part of in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Kateryna Tepylo, the program coordinator of 2016 became one of my role models and business inspirations. Kateryna is now a Social Media Manager & Advisor, who I have the utmost respect for and have always felt supported by!
The staff at Peterborough Economic Development showed me what a unique business community we are part of in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Kateryna Tepylo, the program coordinator of 2016 became one of my role models and business inspirations. Kateryna is now a Social Media Manager & Advisor, who I have the utmost respect for and have always felt supported by!
THE SWEET PART
THE SWEET PART
Yum Yum Cakes provided custom cakes, cupcakes, and macarons for special events such as birthdays, engagement parties, bachelor/bachelorettes, weddings, holidays, gifts, corporate events, family gatherings, etc.
Yum Yum Cakes provided custom cakes, cupcakes, and macarons for special events such as birthdays, engagement parties, bachelor/bachelorettes, weddings, holidays, gifts, corporate events, family gatherings, etc.
Decorating is my forte, it's where my creativity flows and artistry comes to life! I worked with clients to design cakes that fulfilled their every request. Oftentimes, people would bring me images off the internet and say:
Decorating is my forte, it's where my creativity flows and artistry comes to life! I worked with clients to design cakes that fulfilled their every request. Oftentimes, people would bring me images off the internet and say:
" I want THAT! But can we change this, this, and this?"
" I want THAT! But can we change this, this, and this?"
I would adapt the design to suit their individual style. In some cases, a customer would call me up and say something along the lines of:
I would adapt the design to suit their individual style. In some cases, a customer would call me up and say something along the lines of:
" I want flowers, something purple, and lace, but the rest is up to you."
" I want flowers, something purple, and lace, but the rest is up to you."
That's when I would get out my sketchbook and pencil, and surf the web for inspiration so I could combine several aspects of cake design into a vision board for the order.
That's when I would get out my sketchbook and pencil, and surf the web for inspiration so I could combine several aspects of cake design into a vision board for the order.
I always bake using the freshest quality ingredients, sourced locally, where possible. Fortunately, I live near the Kawartha Lakes and have access to the fruits of hard working farmers such as Maclean's Berry Farm in Buckhorn for fresh raspberries in the summer! I offered American buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream, and homemade fondant for frosting options. I enjoyed tweaking common flavours by doing a combination of traditional and trendy pairings. My most loved cake flavours were:
I always bake using the freshest quality ingredients, sourced locally, where possible. Fortunately, I live near the Kawartha Lakes and have access to the fruits of hard working farmers such as Maclean's Berry Farm in Buckhorn for fresh raspberries in the summer! I offered American buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream, and homemade fondant for frosting options. I enjoyed tweaking common flavours by doing a combination of traditional and trendy pairings. My most loved cake flavours were:
~White Raspberry Swirl (french vanilla cake with fresh raspberries swirled throughout the batter and frosting)
~White Raspberry Swirl (french vanilla cake with fresh raspberries swirled throughout the batter and frosting)
~Chocolate Toblerone (chocolate cake with Toblerone candy bar chunks tossed into the batter)
~Chocolate Toblerone (chocolate cake with Toblerone candy bar chunks tossed into the batter)
~Blue Velvet (Blueberry cake, rich like red velvet or a blueberry muffin, with lemon custard filling)
~Blue Velvet (Blueberry cake, rich like red velvet or a blueberry muffin, with lemon custard filling)
White Raspberry Swirl
White Raspberry Swirl
Blue Velvet Sample & Matching Blue Velvet Suit
Blue Velvet Sample & Matching Blue Velvet Suit
Chocolate Toblerone
Chocolate Toblerone
Blue Velvet Cupcake with Lemon Filling
Blue Velvet Cupcake with Lemon Filling
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
If you're interested in seeing more images of Yum Yum Cakes creations, visit my portfolio page by clicking the button below!
