Meet Angie Dingman of LoveCakes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Dingman.

Angie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom was always baking something, and I loved helping her, whether that meant licking the beaters or actually measuring and mixing ingredients. She was always encouraging me to try new recipes, and she and my dad were more than happy to be my test audience.
Throughout high school and college, I was always the girl bringing cookies or cupcakes to work, parties, or dinners with friends, and they always got rave reviews. Still, I didn’t consider that I could make this a viable career, so I pursued other opportunities for several years, first the film industry, then advertising. But I never stopped baking. Eventually, I realized my heart wasn’t into a 9-to-5 life, and thanks to the Cottage Food Law, I decided to return to my first passion and open LoveCakes as a home-based business. I started with an order of red velvet cupcakes for a coworker and grew from there. For several years, I focused primarily on cupcakes as those were the trend at the time. Then I started getting more requests for full-sized cakes, and now that makes up the majority of my business.

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?
The biggest challenge is not having enough space. Working out of my home obviously comes with limitations. When I first started, I had a one-bedroom apartment with a tiny galley kitchen. I don’t know how I ever managed to get any orders processed, but I did! I now have a larger place, but I still find myself having to play Tetris sometimes, trying to fit all the cake boxes into the fridges. Thankfully, I spent a lot of time at the arcade when I was younger.
Also, I’m mostly a one-woman show, so there have been struggles with things that are far outside my wheelhouse, such as creating and maintaining a website. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been on the phone with the host company in a mad panic, convinced I just lost my entire website because of some dumb error I made, but luckily, they’ve managed to save me every time. But I’ve been at this long enough now that I’ve learned to slow down, take a breath, and realize that most things can be fixed or managed.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LoveCakes is a custom-order bakery specializing in cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Everything is made to order, using the finest and freshest ingredients available. We are considered an “online bakery,” meaning there isn’t a physical storefront to visit and purchase from daily, so customers do need to reach out in advance to place orders.
I believe what really sets LoveCakes apart, and what has earned me so many wonderfully loyal repeat customers, is my willingness to work closely with them to create exactly what they are dreaming of in their minds. Cake is a luxury, especially now more than ever, and I want my customers to feel like they are part of the experience of creating this cake or cupcake order with me, not just picking “Wedding Cake Package #4 in Blue for 200 People” out of a brochure. Even when I repeat designs, such as a “Cars” cake, I will try to find some small way to make it unique each time, so I’m not churning out cookie-cutter cakes, pardon the pun.
Something I am really proud of, as mentioned above, is my long list of repeat customers. There are so many of them with children who I have made birthday cakes for literally every year. I nearly fainted when I realized there was one whose daughter I had made birthday cakes since she was in single digits and is now driving! But it is truly an honor that they would continue to reach out to me when there are countless other amazing bakeries in Los Angeles. It is really humbling, and I am forever grateful.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
When I’m working, I either listen to music (mostly 80s New Wave/BritPop), or a few podcasts I like are A Cup of Tea and a Chat with Allie and Bean, Smartless, and Armchair Expert. I’m always consuming multiple books at once, usually one physical and one audio, which probably means I’m not really giving either my fullest attention, but there’s just so much to read! But if I’m not baking or reading, you will find me volunteering at LA Animal Services at the North Central location. I’ve been taking care of the cats there for over 6 years, and it is the single most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

Pricing:

• Cakes: Prices vary as everything is custom
• Cupcakes: $48/1 dozen
• Mini Cupcakes: $39/2 dozen
• Cookies: $54/1 dozen
• Brownies: $54/1 doz orig $57/1 doz PB cup

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lovecakesbakes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovecakesbakes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovecakesbakes
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lovecakes-los-angeles-2?osq=LoveCakes

Image Credits
headshot: Ashley Poole