Baking For Business Podcast - Episode #96: Sweet Success With Cake Bombs
Host: Chef Amanda Schomburg
Guest: Catherine, Owner of Bomb Babes
Release Date: June 5, 2025
1. Introduction
In Episode #96 of the Baking For Business podcast, host Chef Amanda Schomburg welcomes Catherine, the creative mind behind Bomb Babes—a Georgia-based bakery specializing in innovative cake bombs. This episode delves into Catherine's unique approach to the baking business, her journey from home baker to storefront owner, and her strategies for scaling through corporate clients.
2. Catherine’s Baking Journey
Catherine shares her early passion for baking, which began in childhood [04:40]. Her journey took a significant turn eight years ago during her pregnancy when she sought to create sweets that fulfilled her personal tastes, diverging from conventional offerings. This desire led her to establish Bomb Babes, focusing on distinctive products that stand out in the saturated bakery market.
Catherine: "I didn't want to do what everybody else does because you could find it anywhere... So I thought, how can I make it different?" [05:38]
3. What Are Cake Bombs?
At the core of Bomb Babes' offerings are cake bombs—a hybrid between truffle fudge and cake pops. Unlike traditional cake pops, cake bombs are meticulously baked to ensure a rich and decadent flavor profile, providing a more substantial and satisfying treat.
Catherine: "It's almost like the truffles that you wish you would get inside of a truffle box... they're really small and they go fast." [05:42]
4. Branding and the Name "Bomb Babes"
Catherine explains the inspiration behind the bold name "Bomb Babes." Drawing from her background in lingerie modeling, she aimed for a brand identity that was audacious and memorable, distinguishing her business in a crowded market.
Catherine: "It has to be something that people are like, what is that? What did she do?" [06:42]
Chef Schomburg commends the boldness, emphasizing the importance of standing out and attracting a dedicated customer base.
Chef Amanda Schomburg: "It's better for you to stand for something... Those things that are on the edge really attract people." [07:51]
5. Product Innovation and Inspiration
Catherine draws inspiration from classic desserts, reimagining childhood favorites with a modern twist. Her process involves challenging herself to transform traditional desserts into cake bomb formats, resulting in unique flavors like the cannoli cake bomb.
Catherine: "How can I turn a cannoli into a cake truffle?... it's a vanilla mascarpone cake with all these other great components." [09:05]
6. Community Engagement and Dessert Wars
Active community participation has been pivotal in Bomb Babes' growth. Catherine recounts her experience with Dessert Wars—a local baking competition—that significantly boosted her brand visibility and connected her with other local bakers.
Catherine: "We were one of the top 12 best desserts in Georgia out of all 175 applicants." [11:44]
This achievement not only validated her unique offerings but also fostered valuable relationships within the baking community.
7. Corporate Orders and Business Growth
Transitioning to corporate clients marked a turning point for Bomb Babes. Catherine discusses how securing large orders from businesses provided consistent revenue and allowed her to streamline operations without overextending herself.
Catherine: "Corporate clients are great because they order consistently... and they order items that you can just... are really unique for us." [12:18]
She highlights a notable contract involving 200 gift boxes, equating to 800 cake bombs, which, despite the initial overwhelm, proved to be a rewarding endeavor that cemented her reputation for reliability and uniqueness.
Catherine: "The client was so happy at the end... it was really rewarding to provide that service." [13:43]
8. Experience with More Dough Program
Catherine credits the More Dough program for refining her approach to corporate orders. The program taught her to simplify her offerings and implement efficient processes, enabling her to handle large orders without compromising quality.
Catherine: "I learned that I don't have to do it all... corporate orders can be very simple and it doesn't have to be a thing." [15:07]
9. Expanding to a Storefront – Kiosk in the Mall
Recently, Catherine took a bold step by opening a kiosk in a local mall. This move not only provided a physical presence but also allowed for direct customer interactions, enhancing brand recognition and fostering a loyal customer base.
Catherine: "I love connecting with my customers... seeing their reactions is so fulfilling." [19:23]
The kiosk’s success was immediate, with Catherine reporting that the rent was recouped within the first two weeks—a testament to the strategic location and appealing product offerings.
10. Future Plans: Franchising
Looking ahead, Catherine envisions Bomb Babes as a franchise, akin to renowned brands like Sprinkles Cupcakes. She plans to gather a year's worth of data from the kiosk to assess market viability before embarking on the franchising journey, considering both kiosks and mobile food trucks as potential models.
Catherine: "Next year our plan is to start the franchising process. I'd like to see where it goes." [20:42]
11. Lightning Round
Towards the end of the episode, Catherine participates in a fun lightning round, sharing personal favorites and light-hearted insights:
- Favorite Color: Pink [22:05]
- Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Bench scraper [22:11]
- Favorite Book: Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss [22:19]
- Dessert Cannot Live Without: Chocolate cake [22:43]
- Celebrity Crush: Henry Cavill [22:49]
12. Conclusion
Chef Amanda Schomburg wraps up the episode by applauding Catherine’s entrepreneurial spirit and successful application of strategies learned from the More Dough program. She reiterates the invitation to listeners to join her upcoming free training on doubling sales with corporate clients, underscoring the practical insights shared in Catherine’s journey.
Chef Amanda Schomburg: "Thanks to Catherine of Bomb Babes for sharing her story... take care and bye for now." [23:15]
This episode serves as an inspiring blueprint for home bakers aspiring to scale their businesses through innovation, community engagement, and strategic corporate partnerships. Catherine’s story emphasizes the importance of differentiating products, building meaningful customer connections, and leveraging educational resources to achieve sustainable growth.