I always used to joke that I’d quit my job and sell cakes at the market one day. It was a lighthearted dream—until it wasn’t. After twelve months of maternity leave with my first daughter, I decided to actually do it. With a whole lot of nerves and the support of my husband, Tyson, I leapt into the unknown.
Baking became more than just something I enjoyed—it was a way to cope and create calm during some really tough times. I experienced both antenatal and postnatal depression with both my girls, and I found unexpected focus and brightness in the repetition of measuring, mixing, and decorating. The science of baking, the structure, the soothing rhythm—it became therapy. And when I started experimenting with decorating techniques, a whole new world opened up. I found mindfulness in piping tiny flowers, joy in colour palettes, and—let’s be honest—probably gained a few kilos from “testing” every recipe more times than necessary!
Running a sole trader cake business isn’t all sweet icing and pretty cupcakes. It can be exhausting, especially in the current climate with rising costs. But then there are moments—the moments that make it all worth it.
When someone opens their cake box and their face lights up. When a customer at the market takes a bite, pauses, and comes back for another. When someone in a workshop realises they made that beautiful thing, and their whole posture changes with pride. Those are the moments that fill my cup.
This business isn’t just about cakes. It’s about connection, creativity, and showing up with something beautiful when someone needs a reason to smile.
Thanks for being part of this journey with me.