Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Edwards.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
CakeFace started back in 2013, that’s when I formed my business. Rewinding a little bit; I would come home from work and bake just for fun, even to relieve some stress some days. I would make any type of sweet craving I had and by the time I was done, my day would be a lot better. I have always been around baking as my mom and grandma were huge bakers growing up. My mom made every family member’s birthday cake growing up, old school buttercream style. We had a local cake supply store about 5 minutes from our house in my home town (Joliet, IL) that she would always take me to, so I think baking is just in my blood. I started to get more and more involved when I was about 21 years old, I made my own 4 tiered birthday cake and was so proud. I continued baking and creating my own cakes and started to do more and more for family and friends. I would bake and take pictures and post them online and started an Instagram account to show off some of my creations. My mom helped me with a lot of my fondant work in the beginning. I formed CakeFace shortly after, and I began baking for music artists, and other celebrities as they visited Chicago and that really helped my online presence grow. In 2018, I packed up my KitchenAid mixer, along with a few other important things, and drove across the country to Los Angeles, CA. I settled in Woodland Hills and have baked for A-List celebrities such as Kevin Hart since being here. I’ve had 2 Pop-Up Shops in the Topanga mall, and am baking more and more each month!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth is hardly the word I’d use for my journey, but worth it, absolutely. I’ve had my shares of cake-mistakes, been up all night until about 3 am finishing cake designs, and even had to start completely over on recipes because I forgot an egg or 2 in my cake batter. There are always bumps and bruises on the way to building your own business or brand. My advice to other women would be to NEVER give up, take a break if you must, step outside take a deep breath, then go back at it! But no matter what you face or how hard things may get, always keep working towards your dream until you make it happen. Dreams don’t work unless you do!
Please tell us about CakeFace Cupcakes.
I specialize in custom cakes and cupcakes. I’m known best for my bright and whimsical cake designs, and my number one flavor people can’t seem to get enough of is my red velvet cake, which believes it or not has been tweaked and changed about 7 times before I got the perfect recipe. I’m most proud of being able to keep up with such a demanding market! There are tons and I do mean TONS of amazing bakers in the Los Angeles area, moving here was a bit scary with the city being so over-populated. But I have people who find out about my brand and they give me a shot and are so happy they are!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Write down your goals, what is the peak of your dream, put that at the top of your page and jot down EVERYTHING that you think it’ll take to get there. Big and small tasks, writing them down and referencing back to them will help you to make it happen! Also, don’t listen to negative influences, there will be people saying you can’t do it or its impossible, prove them wrong! You got this!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Cake-Face.com
- Email: Lauren@Cake-Face.com
- Instagram: CakeFace.Cupcakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CakeFaceChicagoland/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=OJQsRygniL4
Image Credit:
Breleased, Jasmine Oliver
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