Why I Walked Away From My Cake Business After 10 Years

I can’t believe I’m typing these words but… after 10 years, I’ve officially outgrown my business. 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how wild that sounds. For years I dreamed of having a private cake studio. I pictured a space where people could come learn the art of cake decorating while I served sweet treats to the streets of LA. That was the vision. The thing I thought would define my “made it” moment.

But oh, how life changes.

Those dreams are now tucked away in the archives labeled “dreams that never manifested,” and to my own surprise, I’m completely at peace with that.

*My cake studio was going to be amazing. Nearly four years ago, I drafted a full business plan and even created a slide deck I was ready to pitch to investors.

The Dream That Once Defined Me

You’re probably wondering: What happened? Why walk away from something you’ve been building for a decade?

Well… life happened.

In March 2024, I had my son, Maximus. And the moment the nurse placed him on my chest, it felt like my entire brain was rewired. (Which, by the way, is actually backed by science, women’s brains physically change after giving birth.) From that point on, nothing was the same. My energy, my responsibilities, and my priorities all shifted.

*My precious little baby he was! Now he’s a rambunctious 17-month-old, full of energy.

Then Life Happened

I still took a few cake orders after Max was born, but it wasn’t the same. My body was drained from the non-stop demands of motherhood. My heart wasn’t in it. And if you’ve ever made a custom cake, you know it demands every ounce of your time, energy, and creativity.

It wasn’t about being “lazy” because I don’t mind the hustle. It was deeper than that.

Here’s the reality:

• I have a demanding full-time career.
• I’m a new mom.
• And I was still trying to run a business.

That combination could drain even the most energetic person.

I remember being stuck in back-to-back work meetings, DoorDashing ingredients at the last minute, praying Max would take a two-hour nap so I could cover a cake in fondant. It was mental, emotional, and physical chaos.

*Here I am juggling cakes and work. I know I made it look easy but it has been one of the toughest challenges I've ever faced

The Identity Crisis That Followed

When I finally made the choice to stop taking cake orders, I felt a wave of relief.

No more late-night grocery runs. No more 2 a.m. fondant marathons.

For the first time in a long time, I felt free. But then the dust settled, and I started to feel lost.

For years, I was “the cake girl.” For weddings, birthdays, baby showers, people always called me. And suddenly I wasn’t her anymore. Cue the identity crisis.

Who was I if not the girl who made cakes?

*The cake that sent me and Max on a late night run to Michaels because I ran out of fondant :)

What I Had to Remind Myself (And You)

It was uncomfortable to sit in those feelings, but here’s what I had to remind myself and what I want to remind you of, too:

You’re allowed to outgrow versions of your business that no longer fit your life.
You’re allowed to pivot as many times as you need.
You’re allowed to choose yourself.

Redefining Success

I realized I didn’t have to walk away from serving the baking community. I just needed to serve differently.

Now, instead of standing behind an oven, I'm focused on helping bakers with the things that truly change their businesses like pricing confidently, setting boundaries, and creating systems that give them both their profit and their lives back.

This version of my business looks different from the cake studio I once dreamed of, but it fits me and I’m genuinely excited to watch it grow.

Transitioning your business is hard. It feels like starting over. It feels like you’re asking your audience to re-learn who you are. But it’s also freeing, and it’s proof that you’re still evolving.

So if you’re in that place where you’re questioning who you are in your business, hear me out:

• You don’t have to stay stuck in an old version of yourself.
• You have permission to pivot, too.

Cheers to the next chapter 🥂