The hardest part of running your own business.
In our business journey, the hardest thing we've faced is to "keep going.” Despite doubt, imposter syndrome, copy cats, and uncertainties, we persist.
"Keep going" has been our mantra, resonating through challenges like dealing with damaged stock, navigating COVID-induced shipping hurdles, and facing doubts about our expertise in a new market. We've also weathered stock shortages and the painstaking process of overcoming thousands of damaged packages coming to us via ocean freight.
At the end, we coming back to our 'why' and why we wanted to start this business. It’s simple, here’s why:
The feeling of anxiety experienced when delivering cakes in flimsy boxes,
The inadequacy we felt when delivering a cake in a makeshift box, expecting the customer to be wowed by our cakes
The anxiety we felt waiting to hear if the cake/cupcakes had made it to the end destination in one piece.
We wanted to feel proud of our products and help others feel the same.
When everything goes wrong around us, we always call to our "why" and remember that we do this for everyone who has ever felt inadequate or not enough. It's more than a box; it's a gateway to happiness and feeling good enough about your work and art!
Looking back on our business journey, we see challenges not as roadblocks but as part of the path, shaping our growth. Sometimes, the biggest challenge is just taking one step at a time, persistently chasing the dream that got us started.
If you’re facing a challenge in your life remember the hardest thing to do is “keep going.” Break it down into small steps and keep moving. Each step is a win, a sign of your strength.
The first year in business: Lessons learned from our startup journey.
Starting a business is an exhilarating journey, filled with highs and inevitable lows. As we reflect on our first year (we’re now in year FOUR!), we want to share the unfiltered truth about the mistakes we made and the invaluable lessons they taught us.
1. Finding the Right Manufacturer
The first hurdle was finding a reliable manufacturer, and it wasn't as straightforward as anticipated. Initial shipments brought damaged products and financial setbacks. Lesson learned: Connecting with contacts in Asia, we secured a trustworthy set of manufacturers, implemented damage control processes, and enlisted local support.
You cannot assume anything goes to plan, so take your time and prepare for all scenarios as they come along. You won’t know them all at first but you’ll soon learn!
2. External Packaging Matters
Underestimating the significance of external packaging led to numerous damaged items during shipping. Here, we tested various packing methods and went for more than we probably need only because we want to make sure items get to you safely without any damage from all sorts of knocks, bumps, and throws along the way!
3. Navigating Stock Demands
Predicting product demand accurately proved challenging. Misjudgments meant we would be out of stock a lot and also costly measures like air freighting during Covid disruptions to try and quickly recover were definitely not ideal fixes. Over time, we refined our understanding, improved stock management, and leveraged better market data for a smoother supply chain.
Lessons as Building Blocks
These mistakes were essential building blocks, shaping us into a more resilient business. Each challenge taught us something valuable, contributing to our growth. Looking back, these early missteps are stepping stones toward improvement.
Yet, we're still making mistakes, and each one guides us to rethink, pivot, and try something different. With no large team, much of it involves thinking on our feet. After all, we haven't reached a six-figure revenue business without those mistakes.
For Those Considering a 2024 Business
If you're contemplating starting a business in 2024, be prepared to make a lot of mistakes. Don't take them personally; instead, view them as opportunities to learn and build a better, more resilient business.
You will make mistakes. You will fail at somethings. You need to be more patient. Understand this and you’ll get over most of your hurdles with ease.
Embrace the journey, and remember, the path to success is often paved with lessons learned.
E35 - Australian Cake Decorating Network founder, Liz Wright - A cake community where bakers can flourish!
It’s funny how ideas can come into your head. For Liz, the idea of a community for cake makers came to her while feeding her twins when they were 9 months old at 2 am. That was 13 years ago.
Liz and her team run the Australian Cake Decorating Network. A diverse community of members who go on cake crawls, cake camps, have annual award ceremonies, and generally support each other through thick and thin. It’s amazing.
Liz was a baker herself but also a trained occupational therapist. She’s had to juggle a lot. But she’s found a way through it all and she sits with us from her office to walk us through all the ups and down. She is an inspiration. Enjoy.
Website
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
Local Marketing ideas: 5 Strategies to grow Your Cake Business in 2024
Welcome to a promising new year for your cake business! As you gear up for 2024, let's explore practical strategies to enhance your local presence and boost your cake sales.
This isn’t about social media! It’s about thinking locally. Leveraging what’s in your city, town, and neighbourhood. This is where your customers live! Focus on making sure they know you’re nearby.
For a far more in-depth look at this, download our FREE ebook on this topic in our ebook shop.
1. Collaborate with Local Businesses:
Forge connections with neighbouring businesses to expand your reach. Engage in exclusive promotions and seasonal offers to attract a broader audience.
Are there any local business parks nearby? Consider dropping off a box of cupcakes at various offices with attached business cards. They might want you to make some basic items for parties, events, or seasonal gatherings. These don’t have to be fancy and draw from marketing budgets! This can be easy money during slower periods in your business.
Participate in local events to not only network but also establish your cake business as an essential part of the community. These can vary but get access to a community calendar from the local schools, council offices, and community centres to see what’s going on.
2. Participate in Food Markets:
Tap into the potential of local markets as vibrant hubs for potential customers. Utilise markets to introduce your menu to potential clients. Offer samples at your stall and make your treats readily available for purchase. Putting a face to your brand and sharing your story in person can create a memorable connection.
Note: This one is harder work as it requires a small bit of investment in a stand, market stall fees, and of course, TIME! But, the exposure can be fabulous. Sign people up on the spot for upcoming birthday cakes and get them to pay a deposit or the full amount ahead of time securing funds that would have easily paid for your market stall and made your day worthwhile. Sign up with Zettle or Square to accept contactless payments with a card reader.
3. Get involved with Charities:
Connect with charities in ways that align with your business values. Donate treats for care home celebrations, contribute to school fundraisers, or participate in religious events to forge personal connections within your community. Use these events as an opportunity to showcase new cake designs, flavours, and ranges that you'd like to offer in your business, promoting them on social media.
4. Collaborate with Cafés and Coffee Shops:
Broaden your reach by partnering with local coffee shops. This introduces you the world of a “wholesale” business. A genuine step up from baking for the average customer. This brings more steady and reliable income for you and forces you to become super efficient to accommodate more bakes into your week.
Integrate your cakes into their menu for a steady flow of orders. Tailor your designs to complement the ambiance of the café and cater to the preferences of their customers.
Again, not super easy to do here, as now businesses are reliant on your for a part of their menu so you need to prepare for it. The benefit though can easily outweigh the challenges as you’ve now got commercial customers who are also advertising your work. Start small, learn the process, fine tune it, and then work on adding other outlets. Deliver excellence!
5. Explore Unique Locations:
Think creatively about your business locations. Collaborate with clothing stores during sales, host pop-ups at real estate open houses, and explore unique venues like art galleries, hairdressers, and fitness centres. These unconventional spots present untapped opportunities for your cake business.
Yes! We said fitness centres. Some health bars or home-made granola may not be your regular staple bake, but if it gets you to a new audience who still celebrates various occasions, you’re now tapping into a new customer base that would not know of you otherwise.
Conclusion:
As you navigate the year ahead, focus on practical strategies that yield tangible results for your cake business. Strengthen local partnerships, engage with potential customers in markets, and strategically align with charities.
For more actionable insights, check out our FREE e-book, "5 Ways to Grow Your Cake Business in 2024," available on our website. Elevate your local presence and make 2024 the most successful year yet for your cake business!
Try and try again! We never gave up!
Leaving our corporate jobs to pursue our dream of starting a business was a challenge. We wanted a venture that would not only challenge us but also address a real issue in the community. The dream was to have more time for our very young kids, and a relatable aspiration for many embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, especially in the cake business.
Little did we know the challenges that lay ahead. The initial businesses faced setbacks, but each failure taught us valuable lessons. OLBAA, our fourth venture, emerged from a genuine problem faced in my cake business – flimsy, unfunctional packaging that devalued the cakes.
What began as a solution for my business transformed into a solution for the wider community. The overlooked and underappreciated community needed a champion. OLBAA became that champion, offering sturdy, purposeful packaging that made a difference.
Our journey echoes the struggles many entrepreneurs face – the search for a product that works, the transformation of passion into a business. OLBAA is here to stay, serving and solving problems for a community that deserves the very best.
E34 - Funky Batter - One cake recipe, 16 combinations, now sold in over 122 countries!
As a female growing up in India, Hena Mahajan never followed the normal path. A creative at heart who found herself entering the world of jewellery design at a fairly young age, she ran her own business creating and selling her own designs.
Funky batter however was formed as a continuation of her ability to want to create even if it wasn’t in the industry she originally she started working in. Funky batter is the ability for anyone to download and follow her core recipes to create whatever you want with your cakes.
Starting with 16 core flavours, but giving you the tools to go off and create your own, Hena has just built the foundation for so many bakers to start with their own recipes and build on them. It’s an inspiring story and motivating to listen to as it just shows that just when you think an industry like cake already has it all, you can still find ways to help and find new ways to teach people the essentials. I really hope you like it.
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E33 - Sandro Farmhouse - A Great British Bake off finalist tells us what it's really like in the big tent!
Sandro Framhouse, here’s a guy with some serious drive and motivation. Coming to England a long time ago with nothing, he grew up against many factors working against his chance to succeed but yet found a way through it all.
Sandro, has baked for a while now, but his determination comes from watching how hard it was for his mother when they first moved to England. It’s a consistent theme with Sandro. Overcoming challenges, getting to his vision. He puts a picture in his head of what he wants to achieve and then he goes after it.
He’s the first bake-off contestant we’ve had on the podcast and I’m really glad we got the chance to sit down with him. Bake-off has literally changed his life and how he has managed that change is interesting. Sandro is a breath of fresh air to speak with and we really enjoyed chatting with him. So let’s get to Sandro’s baking journey. Enjoy.
Learn more about Sandro here:
Instagram
His project (BOTS)
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E32 - Yolanda Gampp - This is a story of AMBITION! Even after hearing "no" a hundred times, she NEVER gave up!
Yolanda Gampp. A mega-star in the world of novelty cakes. But her rise to this level was a genuine rollercoaster to get to this point. There are so many highs, and yet various lows, even to this very day.
What she, and her business partners Connie and Jocelyn have built is an incredible brand. But it only came after being told no, no., no, and no!
They started their YouTube channel “How to Cake it” was back in 2015! And then the real work began. It’s barely stopped since and this baking journey is going to highlight to you all that as you get bigger, it doesn’t always get easier.
New heights bring new challenges but Yolanda and her team kept adapting, kept consistent, and kept pushing the boundaries. This episode is a must listen! Take your time with this one and we really hope you find it inspiring and educational.
Find out more about Yolanda here:
Website
Youtube
Instagram
Facebook
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E31 - Cielo Cakery - How a single mother embarked on a rollercoaster ride and built TWO bakeries with a cult following in her hometown!
Jodie Heaven - which in Spanish is “Cielo” - is the founder of this cute little Brighton bakery called Cielo. A single mother who realised very early on that after the birth of her daughter, she wanted to make sure should create the best life for her.
Jodie herself wanted to be a pop singer when she was a child, but that didn’t quite work out. Thankfully baking did! From making the cupcakes for her baby shower, to building a business out of that, it quickly become a shop, and then a second one. But not without numerous hurdles and challenges which you will hear about.
Jodie isn’t phased by it. She just has that attitude to just get out there and get it sorted. What an inspiring small business owner! She never gave up and continued to build something special for her community in Brighton. You really need to listen to this one. Enjoy.
Learn more about Cielo here:
Website
Instagram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E28 - Janelle Copeland (formerly of The Cake Mamas) - An ex-wife and a wife start a bakery business that rockets to success! Learn how she did it!
Janelle Copeland. She helped launch The Cake Mamas way back - when a rather unusual partnership was formed between two talented women. You’re going to hear about things falling into place, taking big bets, knowing when you’re not ready for something big, and pushing forward in spite of all odds.
You're going to hear about losing it all and having to build yourself back up. Imagine having to turn your life around from declaring bankruptcy - hitting rock bottom - and starting all over. This is exactly what Janelle did.
This is a story of comeback and Janelle shines her way through it all. Open, honest, and so inspirational. We go to California to sit and with Janelle and get her take on why you just need to make things happen in spite of all odds. Enjoy.
Learn more about Janelle:
Website
Instagram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E27 - Sweet Sticks Founder, Miranda. How she went from fashion, to baking, and then turned a $5000 idea into a global brand!
Miranda is a serious serial entrepreneur. Starting from the age of 16, she has always built her own businesses, but this fashion designer made the switch to baking by accident really. When a child comes a long and forces you to change your career, it’s amazing what rabbit holes you’re searching will take you.
There’s a sense of just going for it in this episode, when absolutely everyone is telling you you’re just mad. Miranda just goes with her gut and knows she needs to continue building something when nobody else thought she could. Because when that moment finally comes and you know you’re about to create something really special, it just makes it all so worth while!
You’re going to hear Miranda’s crazy up and down journey through this all and she’s incredibly open and honest about it. Her determination though is absolutely infectious. So grab your drink of choice and sit down for this episode with the founder of Sweets Sticks from Melbourne, Australia.
Learn more about Sweet Sticks here:
Sweet Sticks Website
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E26 - Cake Makers Collective - How 4 bakers came together to share their diverse knowledge with the baking world.
We’re doing something completely different today as we’re speaking with FOUR amazing bakers who collectively have over 40 years experience behind them - the Cake Makers Collective.
Sally, Jess, Charlotte, and Danielle all met late last year through a cake school and instantly become huge friends through their own whatsapp group. They all have their own cake business and they all have their own specialities.
Danielle actually runs her own cafe in Kent. The girls are placed around the UK so this WhatsApp group was the main way for them to communicate but it didn’t take long before they realised they could pool their expertise together to develop a virtually-based, community-focused, training platform - the Cake Makers Collective.
We wanted to know more about the collective and how it came about. It’s an affordable, and bite-size approach to 1:1 training for anyone at any stage in their baking career. This is not in-class training as there is definitely a place for that. It’s a very different approach and we found the diversity of experience the girls bring and their approach made us feel we should chat with them.
So, are you starting your baking journey? Do you need help but live far away from any training centre where you could get help? Well, keep listening as this may be what you’re looking for. On with the show….
Find out more about the Collective here:
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E25 - Oh Cakes Winnie - The reality of giving up a career and losing your purpose. Then finding baking to build yourself back up into something inspirational!
This week we’re in Luxembourg to speak with Winnie. Fashion designer-turned baker and content creator with some pretty amazing bakes. For example her cake rolls which are extremely unique.
This creative type fell into baking but it was never really part of the plan. Giving up a career and figuring out what to do in life was a struggle. However, baking has gone from being just something fun to keep the brain busy to now baking all sorts of creative content.
For someone with almost 700 thousand followers, she only just created a website! But that doesn’t phase Winnie. She just goes with the flow and gives herself the space to be creative and let herself flourish. She’s been in some from of design and creativity for most of her life so this is now the natural continuation of what she loves as a person.
She’s been in the fortunate position to have a husband continue to work to reduce the pressure on her to have to perform with her baking from the get go. This has allowed her to develop her skills over time and see where it all takes her. But as many of you know, the baking machine sucks you in bit by bit and you find yourself eventually turning this hobby into something full time.
How did Winnie handle that transition? Listen on to hear her journey.
Learn more about Winnie here:
Website
Instragram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E24 - Aubree's Cakery - Learn from a 21 year old with a 10 year career in baking already! She's even made a cake for Diddy!
Imagine you started baking at 11, and by 12 your mum was already selling your goods on Facebook. That was 10 years ago for our guest today. Yes, that makes her 21 which makes today’s episode just a fascinating listen.
I certainly was no where near a “career” at 21 let alone my teens. But Aubree certainly tapped her creativity passed down to her and leveraged that from a very early age. Based in Southern California, he career has already led to some interesting bakes. You have to keep listening to hear about some of them!
She’s incredibly talented, determined, and driven to make a success of it at such a young age. This is just so inspiring to listen to! And to top that a huge social media following as well. Aubree is extremely focused, and pushes herself to improve on what she’s doing all the time. It’s still mostly just her doing all the work.
How does a 21 year do it you may ask? Keep listening to find out….
More about Aubree here:
Website
TikTok
Instagram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E23 - The story of Cupcakes & Counting. A fun and gorgeous cafe in Dublin that wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for a tragic natural disaster.
We are in Dublin, Ireland to chat with Jenny and Jay of Cupcakes and Counting. Today, it’s a cute and quirky cafe that sell gorgeous treats and delicious coffee. But the journey to this point is so so different!
They’re both trained as nurses. Left the Philippines years ago to build their careers and a better life. But all it took was one event back home that forced them to do something that would set the path for the next 10 years on a journey in baking.
One thing has expanded to another not by their choice, but more by suggestions from people along the way saying they should do this, or try that. It’s turned into wedding cakes, classes, cafes, and even selling baking tools.
Their cheery attitude and relaxed approach to many things has allowed them to blossom and grow their business even during the pandemic. Jenny’s cakes are truly special and her talent has now taken her around the world to teach others. But listening to their story just inspires me to think almost anything is possible if you put your best foot forward and just try. It just never hurts to try. Right, so let’s hear the story of cupcakes and counting….
Find out more about Cupcakes and Counting here:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
---
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E21 - Georgia's Cakes - Rising to success through constant change - how do you do it?
Georgia was one of the first people I approached about OLBAA boxes when we first launched. It’s amazing to think 3 years later she’s on our podcast!
Georgia has done so much in baking in such little time. The home cake business, moving to a commercial kitchen, supplying cakes to brands like Harrods, training, classes, moving the business to Israel, setting up a in person cake school, and building a successful YouTube channel….
It’s hard to know where to start but we certainly did enjoy this chat. She opens up quite a bit about how this all started and how she’s had to make so many changes along the way to keep the business growing and specifically growing in a direction she wanted it to.
She’s not the type to sit still and so you might be quite surprised to hear just how much Georgias’s Cakes has added a removed different things over a few short years. She’s quite private so we’re honoured to be able to talk to her and get to know more about Georgia herself. I think you’ll really enjoy this journey so let’s get on with it…
Haf
Learn more about Georgia here:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E20 - Tigga Mac - Everything you wanted to learn about getting millions of followers as a baker but were afraid to ask.
Melbourne, Australia. When I lived there I didn’t know it for its cakes, I knew it for its coffee. But things have changed a lot! One of the largest content creators around lives here and joins us for this episode - I’m referring to Tigga Mac and her bestie Katie.
They’ve gone from slaving away in their tiny kitchen just keeping on top of cake orders to be internationally recognised for their antics on social media. I learned so much talking to them about mastering social media - and particularly TikTok where they have - are you ready for this? - over 1.6million followers.
This has transformed their baking journey from taking cake orders to content creation and brand deals, but still, making lots of cake. There are so many interesting themes and ideas that they come with up for content but at the heart of it is still they are self-taught, highly-talented bakers.
Years of grinding away to build up their business has given them the confidence to go create and have so much fun doing it - as a team Get your notebook out for this one because there are so many useful lessons shared so kindly by these two lovely people. We’re really excited to share this with episode with you! Enjoy!
-Haf
Learn more about TIgga Mac here:
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Website
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E19 - Amy's Bakehouse - Act fast, make mistakes, and go with your gut. How being hyper-focused can be both bad and good!
St. Albans. Just north of London is where you’ll find this little village with lush green rolling hills, and where you’ll find Amy’s Bakehouse.. Amy is a 24 year old baker who runs her own cake business. She started in 2020 and has already moved into a commercial kitchen!
When we found out about Amy we just had to get her on the show as the pace of growth that she’s gone through is just inspiring. She was not a baker. She started doing this right after finishing her degree. She hasn’t even started a career yet and the pandemic decided to set a new path for her.
Yes she is one of those bakers who came about as a part of the pandemic but the story of how it’s all come together is what I find fascinating. Amy’s attitude, drive, and focus is so visible in our conversation as she tells us exactly why she is the way she is and how she has used that to her advantage. Oh to be 24 again! Anyway, let’s get right to it and hear Amy’s story….enjoy!
Follow more here:
Website
TikTok
Instagram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E17 - Cas Cakery - STOP! Running your own business is killing your mental health! How to deal with it and move on.
Toowomba Australia, which is in Queensland in case you were curious - is not a place we ever thought we’d end up but in this little place is home to a brand that’s known world wide - Cas Cakery.
Cassie, or “Cas” speaks with us today about her journey and what is so interesting here is that in such a short space of time she has rocketed her business from nothing to something incredible in just 5 short years.
What I love about Cassie is she reminds us about being honest about ourselves, reminding ourselves to make it fun, and most importantly, just take care of yourself. The stress of running a baking business can take its toll on all of us. Cassie has been very good about making sure she looks after herself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Doing this has only allowed herself to blossom further in her business and push herself forward even more.
Of course, she didn’t always do it this way. She’s hit that burn out stage multiple times, with frustration running high. But through all that she’s learned to watch for it before it happens so she can deal with it better. I think this is a skill that we don’t all have. So, this is why this episode makes for a great listen. Seeing that signs that suggest you need to adjust what you’re doing.
Do you struggle with burn out, resentment, frustration? Keep listening, there might be something in this that will help you take it all in your stride and manage it. I really hope you enjoy this one. Let’s rock on with Cassie’s baking journey.
More about Cas:
Website
Instagram
This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel
E16 - Vic's Kitchen - Baker turned teacher who shares vital information for anyone running a baking business. From easy ways to make money to protecting yourself and your company from any surprises!
We are back in England and just outside of London today in Woking, Surrey. We’re speaking with Victoria of Vic’s Kitchen. If you’ve ever wondered about running your own cake school, better ways to run you run your cake business, and even some quick ways to make some money, you’ve got to listen to this episode.
Vic has been running a cake school now for almost a decade and through this she has amassed hundreds of students learning not just about baking of course, but various other - and just as important - aspects of running your own cake business. The business end of things, pricing, marketing, and other strategies.
Vic has always been focused on the community and building a place that is fun for bakers to come and learn, feel comfortable, and most importantly, connect with other like-minded individuals. We’ve even had one of her guest teachers on this show in season 1 - remember Harry Bakes?
This episode is full of great advice whether you’re starting out, been at it for a while, or looking to add something new to your business. It’s hard work! There’s no question but Vic’s determination and drive is so inspiring we think you’re going to really enjoy this one. Let’s get on then with Vic’s baking journey….
Learn about Vic here:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
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This podcast is produced in London and Madrid by OLBAA.
OLBAA makes the best dessert packaging on the market because it's designed by a baker and not by a spreadsheet. From strong and tall cake boxes, to the game-changing tall cupcake boxes, OLBAA loves to innovate the packaging to make bakers' bakes look the best they can be. After all, you've spent hours making all those amazing desserts, why put them in a cheap and flimsy box? Show it off and make a statement with OLBAA.
To find out more, head over to www.olbaa.shop
Sponsorship enquires (starting at as little as £50) and any questions you may have, send them over to info@olbaa.uk
See you next time on My Baking Journey!
-Haf & Rachel