Exploring Life & Business with Sam Alayarian of Cinderella Cakes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Alayarian.

Hi Sam, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t set out to become a bakery owner — my path has been anything but linear. Growing up, I was always entrepreneurial and creative, but my early career was actually in sales, manufacturing, and product development. I built and scaled businesses in fast-paced, high-pressure industries, which taught me how to operate, problem-solve, and lead — skills that later became critical in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.

Cinderella Cakes entered my life during a pivotal moment. What started as an opportunity to acquire and grow an established brand quickly turned into a crash course in resilience. Shortly after stepping in, I was faced with challenges I hadn’t planned for: operational gaps, inherited issues, and the realities of running a food business in an unpredictable economic climate. There were moments where keeping the doors open required long days, tough decisions, and a lot of humility.

Instead of walking away, I chose to rebuild — slowly and intentionally. I immersed myself in every part of the business, from production and logistics to corporate sales and customer relationships. Over time, we shifted focus toward what we do best: custom cakes, logo cookies, and corporate desserts for companies and events throughout Southern California. That clarity allowed us not only to survive, but to grow.

Today, Cinderella Cakes is a business I’m deeply proud of — not just for what we make, but for what it represents. It’s a reminder that success isn’t about having a perfect plan; it’s about adapting, learning quickly, and showing up even when things are hard. Thanks to my incredible team, we have made it through some touch times. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. The journey has been demanding, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding, and it continues to shape how I lead, create, and move forward.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — it’s been a challenging road, especially in the early months. Stepping into an existing business meant inheriting issues that weren’t immediately visible, and I had to learn very quickly how to navigate operational, financial, and staffing challenges simultaneously. Running a food business leaves almost no margin for error, and there were periods where every decision felt high-stakes. There was around $250k in missing business that the sellers couldn’t account for, and to this day has not explained. We had to make these numbers up to survive.

One of the biggest struggles was rebuilding systems while still operating daily — keeping quality high, customers happy, and the team motivated, all while restructuring behind the scenes. There were moments of real uncertainty, especially during economic shifts and industry-wide disruptions, when survival required adapting fast and making tough calls with limited information.

Another challenge was personal. As an owner-operator, there isn’t much separation between your personal life and the business, and learning how to carry that responsibility — mentally and emotionally — was a lesson in itself. I had to grow comfortable with being uncomfortable, asking for help, and trusting my own instincts even when the path wasn’t clear.

Looking back, those struggles shaped everything that works today. They forced me to become more disciplined, resilient, and intentional. While the road hasn’t been smooth, it’s exactly those challenges that built the foundation we stand on now.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Cinderella Cakes is a custom bakery built around creativity, precision, and reliability. We specialize in custom cakes, logo cookies, edible-image desserts, and corporate dessert programs for businesses, events, and celebrations throughout Southern California. While we love making beautiful, memorable cakes for personal milestones, we’ve also become especially known for helping companies bring their brand to life through desserts.

What truly sets us apart is our ability to combine artistry with operational execution. Many bakeries can create something beautiful once — far fewer can do it consistently, at scale, and on deadline. We work with corporate clients, hotels, and organizations that need accuracy, consistency, and seamless delivery, and we’ve built systems that allow us to deliver high-quality custom products reliably and repeatedly.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve earned. Our clients come back not just because the desserts look great and taste good, but because they know we’ll execute. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind celebration cake or hundreds of branded desserts for a corporate event, we take the same level of care and accountability with every order.

I want readers to know that Cinderella Cakes isn’t just about dessert — it’s about experience. We see every order as part of someone’s moment, whether that’s a celebration, a brand activation, or a way to make people feel valued at work. Being trusted with those moments is something we take seriously, and it’s what continues to drive everything we do.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has definitely played a role, both good and bad, but never in isolation. Some opportunities came at exactly the right time — connections, introductions, or chances that opened doors I couldn’t have planned on my own. I’m grateful for those moments of good timing, because they can accelerate progress in a way effort alone sometimes can’t.

That said, I’ve also experienced my share of bad luck — unexpected challenges, circumstances outside my control, and situations that tested my resilience more than any spreadsheet or forecast ever could. In those moments, luck felt like something happening to me rather than for me.

Over time, I’ve come to see luck as something that amplifies preparation. The good luck only mattered because I was ready to act, and the bad luck forced me to grow faster, adapt, and become more resourceful. In many ways, the setbacks shaped me more than the wins.

If there’s one lesson I’ve taken from it, it’s that you can’t control luck — but you can control how prepared, open, and resilient you are when it shows up. That mindset has shaped how I run my business and how I show up every day.

Pricing:

• Custom celebration cakes typically start around $85 and vary based on size, design complexity, and detailing
• Signature logo cookies and edible-image cookies usually cost $4 per cookie, with volume pricing available
• Cupcakes and dessert assortments are priced based on quantity and customization, with most orders starting at a dozen
• Larger corporate and event orders are custom-quoted to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeline requirements
• Delivery is available throughout Southern California, with pricing based on location and order size

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cinderellacakes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinderellacakes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CinderellaCakes/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cinderella-cakes-anaheim-3