
This Santa Barbara cake artist turned her side hustle into a brand featured in Vogue Weddings and People Magazine, and she did it without a huge social media following. In this episode of Unbreakable Business, I sit down with Laurie Petrolino, baker, business owner, and Honeybook member.
Laurie owns Room For Cake, where she creates stunning cakes for special occasions (and even some high profile clients). Listen in as she shares how she grew a thriving cake business by leaning into systems, setting boundaries, and breaking the habit of people-pleasing.
The Unbreakable Business podcast is powered by HoneyBook, the AI-powered CRM platform for anyone with clients. Scale yourself and your business with all your leads, clients, projects, and payments in one place. Use the code PODCAST to get 20% off your first year as a new member.
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Wearing multiple hats as a baker and business owner
Before she was a business owner, Laurie baked cakes for other bakeries. When she decided to go out on her own, her role multiplied. Today, she still bakes the cakes, but she’s also the accountant, social media manager, and CEO.
A ton of hours go into baking her cakes, which are all unique creations, and most of the labor isn’t seen. Laurie has to balance the time spent in the kitchen with the time spent on the day-to-day operations of her business. Her story is an example of how working ON your business is different than working IN your business.
To make everything work, Laurie has set up smart systems that automate tasks. She uses Honeybook to send contracts, collect payments, and send automatic responses to client inquiries. Using these systems has created a big uptick in her revenue because her clients feel cared for and not ignored.
Maintaining your boundaries as a business owner
Another way that Laurie balances her role as a baker and business owner is by maintaining strong boundaries around her time, energy, and resources.
Laurie has learned to say no to some projects in order to serve her clients better and create work-life balance. When you’re just starting your business, it’s common to say yes to everything out of necessity, but it’s important to learn that it’s okay to walk away from opportunities that are not the right fit.
Breaking the people-pleasing habit
When it comes to taking last minute requests, Laurie has learned that she doesn’t have to please everyone or solve everyone’s problems. As a baker who is part of her customer’s big life moments, she gets easily invested in their stories. However, she has to be careful about how much she takes on so that her attention isn’t too divided.
Like many entrepreneurs, people-pleasing was a default. But over time, she realized that not every client or project was the right fit. She learned to politely walk away, trusting that aligned opportunities would come.
Enforcing boundaries as a business owner isn’t always easy, but it can help you serve your clients better, work with the right people, and protect your energy.
Focusing on relationships over social media growth
As a baker, Laurie focuses more on partnering with people in her community than she does on social media growth. The bulk of her business comes from referral from past clients and the relationships she has with other people in the wedding industry in her town.
What does having an unbreakable business mean to you?
For Laurie, having an unbreakable business means being adaptable and evolving in the face of challenges.
Important sections of the conversation
- [1:26] Wearing Multiple Hats as a Baker and Business Owner
- [6:46] Does being a people pleaser hinder business growth?
- [10:48] Maintaining your boundaries as a business owner
- [15:00] Focusing on relationships over social media growth
- [26:00] Rapid fire questions
- [30:23] What does having an unbreakable business mean to you?
Connect with the guest
- Website: roomforcakebakery.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/roomforcakesb
Episode transcript
Akua: We are back highlighting some of our incredible HoneyBook members on the Unbreakable Business Podcast, and today we have Lori Petrino, who is a Santa Barbara cake baker, whose work has been featured in People Magazine, Vogue Weddings, and has made cakes for some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Lori walks us through her entrepreneurial journey, how she grew her business with a small audience and some of the major business lessons she’s learned. Lori is a true reflection of the members who are showing up every day doing the damn work to create the life and business of their dreams. So I won’t take up any more time.
Let’s get into the episode. Welcome to Unbreakable Business, the podcast where we uncover the untold stories behind entrepreneurship. This isn’t about polished success stories. It’s about the sleepless nights unexpected roblox and unshakeable grit that builds businesses that last. Every week we sit down with entrepreneurs who faced it all sharing raw, honest.
Conversations about challenges, growth, and the moments that made them unbreakable. Whether you’re just starting out or chasing your next breakthrough, this podcast is your reminder that you have the strength to keep going. Hello? Hello, Lori. How are we doing? Good, thanks. How are you? Good, thank you. I’m so excited to have you here on the Ungrateful Business Podcast because you just.
Are an incredible business owner. Um, we’ve never had a cake decorator on the show, by the way. So you are the first one. That’s
Laurie: so cool. Yeah. Glad to be here. Yeah. And I’m just
Akua: excited to hear more about you and your journey because you are so talented at what you do. You’ve had your work featured in People Magazine and Vogue Weddings, I mean, truly making an impact in the work that you do.
And so I’m really curious to know of like when you first started your business, um, first of all, like what inspired you to start it and then when you did start, what was something that like completely. Blindsided you about being a business owner?
Laurie: Yeah. I think that I decided to start the business because there was really just a void in the market.
I had been working for somebody for a very long time and she decided to sell her business, and there were a lot of bakeries and people making cakes, but there was really just sort of a niche market for what I do, and I think that. Yeah, just filling the void at that point felt right. And, um, my really good friend was like, you need to do this, you know, like, it’s time.
And I was like, okay, well you need to help me because she, you know, we met in college and we were making cakes together for years. And so I was like, okay, you need to help me. And you know, we did it together for a while and then once I was on my own. Doing it. It was really, you know, it becomes kind of overwhelming because you are the baker, you are the dishwasher, you are, you know, the accountant and social media manager, and there’s so many different hats that you’re wearing on a daily basis that I just didn’t really expect other than.
Just making cakes and creating these beautiful things like how much time actually went into the day-to-day operations, and it was definitely overwhelming at times, so I kind of just didn’t really. Anticipate that part of it, I guess.
Akua: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I, I, I love that you shared that of like, as business owners, there’s a difference between working on your business and in the business, and one just really helps, like the parts that bring you joy of like baking the cake Also too, baking a cake is.
Like cakes. It takes a long time.
Laurie: It takes a long time.
Akua: A long, long time. Yes. So I’m curious to know is how you are managing your time and also to doing all of those day-to-day operations?
Laurie: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it does, and it’s a very physical. Mm-hmm. So you have that aspect of it where you know, you’re spending so much time on your feet and you know.
Yeah, just physical labor and it is very time consuming and it’s a process, you know, I think there’s, in the culture that we live in, we see very short snippets of things in the process of it. But you know, there’s the whole, you know, your planning, what sizes do I need? How many people. Is that gonna serve and baking, filling, icing, decorating, delivering.
So there are a lot of facets of it that take so much time. And balancing that with the business side was really. Important for me to set up systems because I was spending so much time in the physical aspect of it and I still had to go and return phone calls. I had to send emails and contracts and all of those things.
So it became a point of I really need a system where. Some of this is automated for me. Hmm. So that’s been tremendous in saving me time. And allowing me more freedoms. Yeah. To do things I enjoy outside of being a business operator.
Akua: Yeah. No, I love, I love that you brought that up with systems because I say all the time that six systems aren’t sexy, but they pay your bills.
Right. And I, we did years ago, um. A Harris poll, one of the data points was, um, number one, one in five business owners have lost money due to the lack of organization in their business. And then also, um, leads, like people will respond to the person, like will more than likely book to the person who responds the fastest to them.
So as you’ve really created these systems in your business, have you seen like where like you’ve made more revenue? Absolutely, because
Laurie: the. It’s an easier process for the clients too, right? They’re not having to go to one program to sign a contract, and then I’m sending them a separate thing to pay the invoice, or they’re not waiting days to get a response from me.
I can automate that where they get an instant response and answers to things, you know, a contract very easily. So they’re not just skimming past me thinking, oh, she doesn’t have time. They and going to the next person. So yes, it absolutely has helped and also has helped in the sense that I can. Take more orders and spend less time on that business part of it, you know?
Yeah,
Akua: yeah. Um, as you have been growing your business, um, the demands get more, right? Like as you s like things are automated, but the demands start to grow. Mm-hmm. Which is great. It’s an amazing thing. Have you found yourself where, um, I know you mentioned a little bit in your story that you’ve been a people pleaser.
Yeah. How has that impacted your business, especially in those earlier days as you growing? Um, how has being a people pleaser kind of like affected you as a business owner?
Laurie: You know? Yeah. It’s, you know, you’re trying to grow your business, you’re saying yes to things. You want that income, you want that revenue, and so you’re saying yes to things and maybe it’s not the right fit.
Mm-hmm. And I think that. It was a learning process and that, you know, I want to be authentic to myself and what I do and also to the client and not just take something because I’m in that space of need or necessity. So it was really kind of this whole shift in the way I thought about it and knowing that setting boundaries was actually going to benefit not only me, but.
My clients as well, and not just taking something that wasn’t the right fit.
Akua: Yeah. If that makes sense. And how are you, do you feel like yourself, like obviously, do you still feel like you’re a people pleaser now, would you say in your business?
Laurie: I, I am in a sense. And that I want people to be happy. Mm-hmm.
And I think that’s something that’s really hard to unlearn. Mm-hmm. But I definitely have gotten better. About setting boundaries for myself, because I think that having that work life balance is so important. I mean, I have a husband, I have a teenager, and all of those things, my time needs to be spread so I’m not completely checked out by the time I get home, and I have no time for those other things in myself also.
Right? Yeah. Mm-hmm. So. It’s something that I’ve had to unlearn, you know? Mm-hmm. Absolutely. And even recently, I had a situation where I had a client that was putting a little pressure to do this project, and we had exchanged several emails and it just really, it wasn’t feeling right. Mm-hmm. For me, and I’ve.
Had enough experiences where I know that sometimes, you know, you say yes to something and it just doesn’t go well. You know, it ends up being, um, you know, I don’t really know how to describe it in a kind way, but it’s just not good. Yeah. It’s hard. It’s hard. It’s hard. Yeah. And so setting those boundaries, you know, I, I got a little bit of pushback and I just politely said, you know.
I truly don’t think this is the right fit for us. I’m happy to refer some other people that I think would be good for this project. And it’s hard and it goes kind of against my natural personality type. But in the end, you know, I felt good and it also opened up the door for a project that was more in line with me and what I.
Felt was a better fit.
Akua: Yeah. Let’s normalize walking away as early as possible. Yes. I think, you know what I mean, as like, I’m also too a former people pleaser. I’m still working through that. I’m still deconstructing that, but I think a lot of the times we, um, I don’t wanna say we see the good people. I, well everybody has good in them, but I, I don’t wanna say that’s the reason I think a lot of the times why I do it is for an ego reason of like, no, I’m gonna see this through.
Yeah. And it’s like you don’t get a badge for suffering. Mm-hmm. You know what I mean? Like, and I think. We as business owners, we do that because we want the person to be happy. We’re like, okay, well, they’re trusting me, but sometimes they’re just not a good fit. Mm-hmm. And that is okay. And I, I love that you were like, you know what?
I’m not even gonna entertain this. Yes. Before we even get started, because it gets worse and worse the further down the road that you get because it’s gonna happen. We all have gotten not the strongest clients. Yes. Not the greatest clients. And that’s no shade towards them. It just means that like, values don’t align.
Right. Like those types of things. And so for you, how are you? ’cause that’s something I really stick to is like being, having my values as a business owner. It’s so key because it attracts people that really want to the right people that really wanna work with you. Yes. How do you, like, what are some of your values and how are you implementing that out in your business?
Laurie: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I. Am trying to connect with people who also share the same things of just wanting to curate like, you know, beautiful experiences for people. And I, you know, really. Love hearing people’s stories and you know, love being a part of their process. Like I’m a pretty sensitive person, so it’s not abnormal for me to, you know, be meeting with a client and I’ll be in tears, you know, hearing their story.
So I feel like I’ve really tried to align myself with other people in the industry who are similar and we share those values and just truly. Realize how special it is. And that’s been really instrumental in growing my business too. You know, I’ve met some great people and it’s not just, you know, people finding me, you know, randomly.
Mm-hmm. It is to for sometimes, but it’s also, you know, working with these other industry professionals that are so great and, yeah. Recommend me. So
Akua: yeah, love that. And I, I love that. I think that, I think also too, just you highlighting your story earlier with like, you started your business with your best friend and you have these connections in the industry.
I think it just goes to show again about like that power of community, it, it’s just so, so key. And community can really take you further than if you were to do it by yourself. It’s, it’s truly like such a powerful, powerful thing. And so I love that you highlighted that. So for you, as you’ve gotten clients, as especially ones that align with your value and stuff, like what are some things that.
You have had to unlearn as a business owner to receive those types of clients, to get stronger with your boundaries, to be bold about your values, like those types of things. What are some things you’ve had to unlearn?
Laurie: Yeah, I think for me, not only being a people pleaser, but I definitely am like a problem solver, and so that’s something that I’ve sort of had to realize that I can’t solve every problem.
I can’t figure it out for. Everybody. Mm-hmm. And I think that unlearning that and unlearning being a problem solver has been really great in allowing me more time to focus on the creative part on, you know, the clients that I have. And you know, for example, like, you know, you get an inquiry, I really need this.
Last minute cake and mm-hmm. You know, someone backed out or you know, whatever the story is, and let me solve this for you, let me help you with this. But it’s not fair only to me and my time and my boundaries, but also to the clients that I have booked at that time, because then it’s taking away. From their experience and the time that I would be devoting to their project at that time.
And so it’s been really kind of important to step back from that.
Akua: Yeah, I, I think that’s a really important thing that you shared of like, I feel like people pleasing also stem from like, we wanna be the hero. Yes. I feel like it’s people pleasing is also. It’s more selfish than anything, which is what I shared a little bit earlier.
But it truly, it’s rooted in selfishness. It’s not because of course we wanna help, but that’s not the main thing that’s striving us. And so that’s a hard thing to unlearn of like, I can’t save everybody and mm-hmm. I can’t, um, solve everybody’s problem. It could be like, it’s, it’s instinctive, like yes.
There’s, there’ll be times I’ll be like, yeah, absolutely. I wanna help. And then I get home and I’m like, why did I say that? Mm-hmm. Because it has, I’ve overextended myself beyond my capacity. Yes. And then you feel like crap. ’cause you don’t wanna let the person down. It’s just is really Yes. Push and pull.
Push and pull. So I think the, like, the fact that you’ve been able to unlearn that I think is just, is so, so key and, and really has like, served you well in your business. ’cause one thing I’m really interested and curious about you is, you know, you have. Created such a successful business and you have done incredible clients.
And one common thing that we hear all the time with business owners, like, you gotta be up on social media, you have to have a big audience. You know what I mean? Those types of things. And I think we’re, a lot of us are at a point of where we’re redefining success. And so for you, how have you gained business just from having a smaller audience?
Like what does that look like for you?
Laurie: Yeah, I think for me it’s been so much about like. Partnering with people in the community. Yeah. Like we were talking about earlier, like, so, you know, we live in a relatively small town and the wedding industry is even smaller. And so being able to form those relationships with people early on and fostering those relationships and growing them has really contributed to my success and I’m so grateful for it.
And you know, I think that. You know, on social media, you see these little, you know, snippets of like this beautiful creation and it does, like, it’s a great way to show off your work and, and I love it. And admittedly, I don’t spend enough time growing that audience. Mm-hmm. But. The real connection and the real business comes from not just people viewing that it’s coming from referrals.
It’s coming from the client who’s telling their friend, like, oh my gosh, Lori made the most incredible cake. It was so delicious. And they’re writing a review that’s, you know, five stars. And so all of that, I feel like. Is so real time in the way that my business
Akua: has grown. Yes. I, I, one thing too I wanna highlight is, ’cause we talked about earlier, just like the power of community, but I, I don’t think, you know, we also should talk about the ROI of community because one thing I think is heavily, like really important for building sustainable business is that community piece.
And a lot of times you don’t see the ROI right away. Mm-hmm. But when it does come back, it comes back like 10 times Better than you Yeah. Have originally. Thought. And have you experienced that in your business? Do you have a story for us that where you could share of like, this person had led me to this incredible client, or you know, this, or this person gave me this awesome opportunity where I got to do something really fun or fun project, anything like that?
Laurie: Yeah, I mean, there’s been so many and you know, I don’t wanna necessarily like single out one project to another, but like, I mean, recently I started working with a celebrity planner who has just. It has been so lovely and um, has sent some really great projects my way and I’ve been so grateful and just truly in awe about that.
And you know, I think back to even just a few years ago, I would’ve never thought that was possible. And so being able to connect with. F people beyond just people in Santa Barbara, but you know, higher profile planners and, you know, projects has been awesome.
Akua: Yeah. Really has been great. Yeah. That’s amazing.
And that’s, that’s a prime example of that. And I think there’s so much trust that goes into that. Like, one thing that I love is that. There’s so much trust and care that goes into these relationships that I think we need to remember as business owners. Especially like with you getting to that point, right?
Like people could hear that and be like, oh my gosh, like that’s amazing. I wanna do that too. But it’s like there’s so much care time Yes. Nurturing that went into that to where like when somebody needed that resource of like, Lori’s the first person that I’m gonna call right away. Yes. And I love that.
That’s just like you’ve been in business for. Such a long time. Yeah. And you know, again, it’s a lot of time and care and nurturing that goes into that. But when you do that as a business owner, when you take that time to see people for who they are and you know, share and give without expecting anything in return, it can absolutely pay off.
So I love that. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So
Laurie: I feel very lucky in the way that things have progressed and it really is, it does take a lot of time and. You know, it’s not just, like I said, the high profile ones, but people that I work with regularly who are so instrumental in referring me, and I’m so grateful to all of those people and it’s really just a very supportive community.
Mm-hmm. And I think it’s super special in that way.
Akua: Yeah. And I, I think it just, you know, conversations that I’ve been having as a business owner is, and. You know, especially this year that the client customer journey is getting so much longer. People are a lot more intentional with where they choose to spend their dollars.
Um, if they are choosing to make a big purchase, they are doing their research, they’re really taking that time. So the fact that your name is, is being brought up and like, like your business is thriving and like that, that just speaks volumes. I think now it’s um, of course it’s important then, but I think now more than ever when people are so much more intentional about where they’re spending their money and, um, I think that’s an amazing.
Amazing thing. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. Um, so how are you redefining success for your business now and for yourself?
Laurie: Yeah, I mean, I think that for me the success is that I don’t feel like I have to say yes to everything. I have weeks that are fully committed and. There’s weeks where I am just blocking off for myself.
Mm-hmm. And recently, um, in August actually, which is prime wedding season, I blocked off a weekend and went on a trip to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. I mean, those are priceless times that, you know, there was once upon a time I probably would’ve been like, oh, you know, sorry. There’s no way I can do this in August, can we, can we move it to December, you know, after wedding season’s over.
Yeah. And I really feel just so lucky that, you know, I am in a place and I do feel. That I’m in a place where I’m like, yes, I am successful. I can actually do this. I’m not just chasing, you know, everything that came my way. Like I, like I was, and that’s like such a great feeling. It
Akua: really is. I th that’s something I know like a lot of business owners strive for.
It’s like. We start one way and then we’re like, okay, I wanna pivot into something new because I want a freight bar that time. Mm-hmm. Because I want to be able to spend time with my family or do the, or travel, you know what I mean? And so I love that you have reached a place in your business where you’re like, this is what success looks like to me.
And that is beautiful because I think we hear it all the time like I do, we see like these, these huge businesses are making a lot of money. You’re like, oh my God, I think I want that. And it’s like, when you really are chasing it, it’s like, no, I just wanna be able to spend time with my family. Like the money is the byproduct.
If like, if it happens. Great. Yeah. But I think that’s something too, I’ve had to remind myself as a business owner of like, okay, like this is the why that you’re doing this is because you wanna travel. You want to enjoy who you are and like who I am as I’m building my business. ’cause I feel like too, we can easily, so easily lose ourselves.
And so how has that process been like for you of staying aligned to who you are as you’ve grown your business?
Laurie: Yeah,
Akua: absolutely.
Laurie: I think like at first it was. Really easy for me to kind be like all consumed in it. Yeah. And you know, I would come home at the end of the day and, you know, have other people needing things for me and just being to this point of almost just completely dysregulated.
Yeah. Like I can’t, I don’t have the capacity for this. So since like identifying that. I really need this balance in my life and staying true to that, and what do I need to get there first? I need systems in place where I can handle sort of this daily administrative work. And how can I do that? That’s the first thing I need to do, and that alone was gonna save me so much time.
And then. You know, like we talked about, just setting those boundaries for myself and making sure I’m staying true to making sure that I am maintaining that balance with everything else in my life. And, you know, not only family, but it’s so important to take that time for yourself every day. Whether, I mean, for me it’s like.
I get up in the morning, usually before anyone else. I make myself a cup of coffee and I just sit and like just take it in and try to sort of meditate and relax and not think about what I have to do the rest of the day, because as soon as I go wake up my son for school, it’s like. It’s go time. Yeah. You know, and then it’s like all the things that you have to do, and then it’s straight into running the business.
So I think just streamlining and. Reminding myself that there’s other things, you know, it helps keep me sort of self accountable for those things.
Akua: Yes, I love that. I think, again, it’s, it’s just, it’s a good reminder of how systems can truly make an impact. A good reminder of prioritizing yourself, realizing that you are worthy enough of a break, you’re worthy enough to have that balance.
In your life, in your business, that you can continue to show up and be that best version of yourself. I’m really curious to know for you, as you’ve been in the wedding industry, what do you think the future of entrepreneurship will look like in the next five to 10 years?
Laurie: I think that being in an age where things are so.
Instant. Mm-hmm. Right. We’re used to getting information instantly. Even more so now with like AI and all these things. I think that it, going back to talking about systems, I think if you, for people starting their business, if you don’t have those systems in place where people can get sort of those instant answers and instant.
Whatever it is that you do in your business, people are gonna gloss by you. They’re gonna go to somebody who will give them that. People don’t have time. We’re all running a million different directions, right? And so people want things that are easy for them and they want to feel good about the experience.
And so I think a lot of what. That’s gonna look like going forward is having these automations in place. It’s just gonna be standard for people.
Akua: Yeah, absolutely. I think, well, yeah, with ai, I think it’s making it so much easier to, for business owners to be able to build their business and leverage it where it is that, that business partner, that right hand, that can help you make decisions, help you strategize, create your emails for you, all those things.
Okay. So I’ve loved this conversation, but we are going to play a game. Okay. And I’m bringing out the bowl. All right? Okay. Okay, here we go. Okay. Bowl full of questions. Rapid fire. Alright, you ready? Am I like, yep, you pick some. A king? Yep. Answer. Keep ’em short and sweet. Okay. Okay. All right, here we go. Have you ever dropped a
Laurie: cake?
Have you? No, but when I am carrying a cake, honestly, going through my mind is Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip. And the whole time, and I like see it, but I have to erase it outta my mind because. You don’t wanna manifest it. No, exactly. Yeah. And you know, it’s like truly, what would I do? It would be horrifying.
So thankfully that has never happened and hopefully will never happen. Yes, we will not. Hopefully we don’t
Akua: wanna, we don’t wanna talk about
Laurie: it. No. No.
Akua: Okay. Next question.
Laurie: Okay.
Akua: The most glamorous part of your job and then the least glamorous part of your job. Oh, okay.
Laurie: The most glamorous part is I think.
Seeing the final product. Like just, I mean, I’m a pretty, I call myself an introverted extrovert. Like I’m pretty shy at times, but like when I get that praise of like, oh my gosh, we love the cake. Like it feels so warm. Mm-hmm. And fuzzy, right? Like it’s so great and it’s like, honestly, such a nice feeling that I was just part of this.
Monumental day for somebody. It’s really truly like such an amazing experience. Yeah. So that’s, I would say, in terms of glamor, that’s like, I would say that’s it the least. Mm-hmm. Wow. When it is, you know, 85, 90 degrees in a non-air conditioned commercial kitchen and. You are just schlepping away and it is not pretty.
It’s also really stressful because it affects the medium, right? Yeah. Yeah. So you’re trying to ice a cake and the butter cream’s, not butter creaming and it is just not, not a pretty thing in general. So thankfully we don’t have like a ton of days like that. Yeah. But recently it was, you’re like, this is rough.
That
Akua: Yes,
Laurie: for sure. Okay.
Akua: Okay. Okay. Next one. Okay. Dream client you’d love to bake for. Oh, Taylor Swift just got engaged. Oh. I mean, so I mean, we wanna have a dream. Say dream.
Laurie: That would be amazing. Yeah. Oh my gosh.
Akua: Yeah, that would be, I’m sure Be beautiful cake as well, so, yeah. Okay. Okay, okay. Okay. I’m gonna pick this one.
Favorite cake
Laurie: flavor. Ooh, lemon. Anything lemon with raspberry. Ooh. You get like this tart and sweet and it is. Yes. When people ask me like, what my favorite, I’m always like, pick something lemon, little lemon cur, lemon cream cheese. Maybe some fresh raspberries. It is. Okay.
Akua: No,
Laurie: I’m hungry. Hungry? Yeah. Right. I don’t want that type of cake.
I should have brought a sample. Yes.
Akua: Okay. I’m gonna pick another one. Okay. One thing people wouldn’t expect about being a cake designer. Ooh.
Laurie: Probably just. How much behind the scenes there is. I mean, people see this like, beautiful creation and it’s like, it’s happened, you know, but it, there’s so much work to it, really.
Um, other than just designing beautiful things.
Akua: Yeah. Okay. Okay. I love that. All right, I’m gonna take one more. Okay. What ingredient is your secret weapon?
Laurie: Oh,
Akua: oh. You’re like, do I say this right now? No,
Laurie: I think it’s, it’s love, right? Yeah. It’s like putting that love into what you do, and I think that makes the difference, right?
It’s not just an order, it’s not just a process. It’s not just a client. It’s truly having. The love for what I do, and I think that’s so important in a small business. I really do.
Akua: Yes. Love that. I love this has been a fun game. Yeah. Thanks for playing. Yeah,
Laurie: it was great. I was scared, but it went okay, I feel like.
Akua: Yes. Okay. So every episode we love to end with the question, what does having an unbreakable business mean to you?
Laurie: I think having an unbreakable business is, I think it means being adaptable. Mm-hmm. I think it means evolving. I mean, I can think of not too long ago, there was a chance I was gonna lose the commercial kitchen that I was working out of, and I was thinking, what am I gonna do?
Am I going back to making this at home? Which seemed just. Completely unrealistic, but I did for like a month, but ended up being able to go back to the kitchen. And so I think it’s just that like figuring out what am I gonna do? How am I gonna evolve and change if there’s obstacles in the way? And you know, as a result, like this beer has been my most amazing one yet, so I think you just have to.
Push through and adapt, evolve, and that’s it. You know? Yeah.
Akua: I think that’s such a, especially like the wedding industry has experienced so much change, especially like with COVID, like in such a short amount of time and businesses are still recovering or pivoting, you know, like, I mean, they’re still.
Playing a lot of catch up. And so I love that like you just have to continue to be adaptable. You have to continue to just, um, be innovative and learn and gr and lean into more curiosity and so, absolutely. I love that. Well, Lori, thank you so much for coming on the show. So for those that want to connect with you, where can they find you?
Laurie: Yeah, they can absolutely find me on my Instagram room for cake, sb uh, my website is a great place though to connect and, you know. Send an inquiry, and that’s room for cake bakery.com. And I’m on, you know, all the platforms, TikTok and Facebook. All the things. All
Akua: the things. Well, Lori, thank you. Thank you so much for coming on the show and for everybody listening.
Until next time,
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