Baking For Business Podcast | Episode #93: Spreading Joy Beyond The Kitchen With Sweet Kate Bakes
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Host: Chef Amanda Schonberg
Introduction
In Episode #93 of the Baking For Business Podcast, host Chef Amanda Schonberg welcomes Caitlyn Brewer from Sweet Cake Bakery. This episode delves into Caitlyn's inspiring journey from a passionate home baker to a successful entrepreneur, her approach to integrating digital products into her business, and her experiences in expanding beyond the kitchen.
Guest Introduction
Amanda Schonberg (Host):
"Amanda introduces Caitlyn Brewer, highlighting her positive energy and the joyful atmosphere she brings to her bakery."
"[00:51] B: ...Caitlyn Brewer slides down your feed, you always know that positive vibes are ensure to follow."
Caitlyn Brewer (Guest):
Expresses her excitement and gratitude for being on the podcast.
"[01:18] C: Thank you so much. I'm overjoyed to be here..."
Caitlyn’s Journey into Baking
Early Influences and Family Support
Caitlyn shares how her mother's love language of baked goods and family traditions, such as donut runs with her father, ignited her passion for baking from a young age. Influenced by shows like Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars, she was inspired to experiment in the kitchen, embracing both successes and failures with the support of her entrepreneurial parents.
"[01:36] C: ...baking has always been a big way people showed love in our community."
Grandparents as Mentors
Her grandmother and Aunt Shannon played pivotal roles in nurturing her baking skills, with Aunt Shannon running a side cookie business and involving Caitlyn in baking during family gatherings.
"[02:38] B: ...did you have a grandma or anyone else in the family who had the baking bug..."
"[02:48] C: ...my grandma and my aunt Shannon... was always over for sleepovers."
Operating a Cottage Food Business
Business Structure and Operations
Located in Utah, Caitlyn operates her bakery under cottage food laws, balancing between fulfilling orders and engaging with her online community. This dual approach allows her to maintain a close-knit business while expanding her reach digitally.
"[03:15] B: ...what state are you in and how do you operate?..."
"[03:28] C: ...I work under cottage food. So I have half my business of doing orders and then I have the other half of sharing the joy online..."
Transitioning from Hobby to Business
Embracing Entrepreneurship Early On
Starting her baking journey at 13, Caitlyn describes how participating in community events and leveraging her parents' entrepreneurial spirit propelled her towards turning her passion into a thriving business. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a joyful and resilient mindset, akin to her younger self, despite the challenges faced as an adult entrepreneur.
"[04:11] C: ...I was 14 when I started. I was 13 when I started sharing the things I was making..."
Confidence, Mindset, and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Spiritual Foundation and Self-Identity
Caitlyn attributes her unwavering confidence to her spiritual beliefs and her identity as a child of God. This foundation helps her navigate through imposter syndrome and self-doubt, allowing her to focus on serving others and sharing her talents without fear of competition or rejection.
"[05:59] C: ...my identity as a child of God... we've been given certain talents and gifts..."
"[07:20] C: ...when those imposter syndromes or feelings of doubt come in, I'm able to go back to..."
Developing and Selling Digital Products
Overcoming Fears of Sharing Recipes
Initially hesitant to share recipes fearing they might be exploited, Caitlyn's perspective shifted as she recognized the genuine need within the baking community. By embracing vulnerability and focusing on leading through generosity, she successfully transitioned to selling digital products, such as masterclasses and specialized recipes.
"[10:36] C: ...if I share it with you, who knows if I'll ever get an order again?..."
"[12:41] C: ...but seeing that and seeing the outpouring of love and also the need for help helped me take the things I was holding on to..."
Top Digital Products
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Buttercream Masterclass:
Addressed common questions and varied buttercream types suitable for different climates and sweetness preferences.
"[12:41] C: ...I started out with my buttercream masterclass because I saw so many questions around buttercream..." -
Live Online Classes:
Offered personalized, real-time assistance through platforms like Instagram video calls.
"[12:41] C: ...classes online very helpful, where it was a live class that was very beneficial for my bottom line..." -
Magic with Cream Recipe:
A whipped cream recipe that withstands high temperatures, leading to significant sales growth.
"[12:41] C: ...with a whipped cream recipe that not only was delicious and customizable in flavor, but it really held up in stacked cakes... we've hit $40,000 over a year and a half..."
Choosing the Right Platforms
Platform Recommendations
Caitlyn discusses her experiences with different platforms, emphasizing affordability and ease of use for new entrepreneurs. She highlights Podia for website creation and hosting online products, and Stan Store for facilitating seamless transactions and enhancing customer experience.
"[16:36] C: ...I started on Podia... but a platform that has really helped... is Stan Store. So yeah, yeah..."
Recent Endeavors: Crime Scene Kitchen
Television Appearance and Experience
Caitlyn shares her exciting experience appearing on Crime Scene Kitchen, detailing the casting process, collaboration with her husband, and the challenges of filming. She describes the show's format and encourages listeners to watch it on Hulu and local Fox channels.
"[18:33] C: ...we went to Toronto to film everything... the first two episodes that we're in are out..."
Advice for Aspiring Bakers
Encouragement to Embrace Vulnerability and Share Gifts
Caitlyn passionately advises bakers to overcome their fears of self-promotion by recognizing the divine gift of their talents. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-love, and viewing baking as a joyful endeavor rather than a burdensome task.
"[21:31] C: ...remembering who you are and taking the step to just turn on the phone like you would with your best friend..."
Lightning Round
Fun Personal Insights
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Favorite Color: Pink
"[23:36] B: ...What is your favorite color?
[23:39] C: Pink." -
Dessert You Can't Live Without: Cake
"[23:41] B: ...What is a dessert you cannot live without?
[23:45] C: Cake." -
Celebrity Crush: Theo James from Divergent
"[23:57] B: ...Who is your celebrity crush?
[24:00] C: Theo James..." -
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Spatulas, especially offset and rubber ones
"[24:06] B: ...What is your favorite kitchen utensil?
[24:11] C: ...spatulas..." -
Favorite Book: "Splat," a children's book about baking with her father
"[24:15] B: ...What is your favorite book?
[24:19] C: ...'Splat,' about a girl and her father in the kitchen."
Conclusion
Amanda wraps up the episode by expressing her admiration for Caitlyn's vibrant spirit and the invaluable insights she shared. She encourages listeners to follow Caitlyn and explore her products through the provided show notes, highlighting the mutual support within the baking community.
"[25:16] A: ...Caitlin has such a spark and ball of just joy... thank you so much. Bye for now."
Key Takeaways:
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Embrace Your Passion: Start early, seek support, and remain resilient through failures and successes.
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Leverage Digital Platforms: Utilize affordable and effective platforms like Podia and Stan Store to expand your business.
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Share Generously: Overcome fears of sharing your expertise by focusing on community needs and leading with an open heart.
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Stay True to Yourself: Maintain your joyful and authentic self to attract and serve your ideal customers.
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Continuous Learning: Adapt and evolve your products based on feedback and market demands to achieve significant business growth.
For more information and to explore Caitlyn Brewer's Sweet Cake Bakery products, visit the show notes here.