Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Cano.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A love for baking is surely a genetic trait- one in which I inherited from my grandmother Claudette, lovingly called “Grandma Cookie” by her great-grandchildren. I have baked for my family’s restaurant, The Pizza Shack since I was a teenager. Over the years, I learned the importance of creating a product that is both special and of high quality.
In February 2012, I was discussing the specials for Valentine’s Day desserts with my brother, Michael, and sister in law, Laura. I had this fun, exciting idea to make a spectacular cupcake as the special. If there’s any moment in which BabyCakes was born it was then. I wanted to bring class to a cupcake, and I knew it just had to be stuffed. Why should towering layer cakes have all the Fun?! With a green light and a desire to venture out of my comfort zone, I created exactly what I’d set out to make, a gourmet cupcake. It was a classy, delicate dessert in a most loved cupcake form, and it was staying around much longer than Valentine’s weekend!
Since then, I have created a brand for myself, BabyCakes. My company shares the same passion and dedication instilled into me when the family recipes were taught to me by my Uncle Jim, and my grandmother years ago. I love that I am able to put my personal spin on a dessert and that it is so well received. We have expanded into wedding/special occasion cakes, breakfast items, and other pastries. BabyCakes intention is the same as in the beginning, to create a high-quality product that is special and unique.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been smooth. You have to be willing to take that leap mentally and financially. When we are experiencing growing pains, it puts a strain on your personal finances along with your personal relationships. The best advice I can give is to have a clear goal in mind and surround yourself with a support team. My husband has always been my number 1 supporter. He pushed me when I lost faith in myself. I can honestly say I have the best employees who I am happy to call my friends. It takes so much and so many different minds to run a business smoothly. By surrounding yourself with people who believe in the business and in you, it makes the growing pains bearable and turns them into learning curves.
We’d love to hear more about BabyCakes Bakery.
We specialize in jumbo stuffed cupcakes. They are uber moist cakes stuffed with mousse, bavarian cream or berries and frosted with are billowy signature whipped topping. We also make mini stuffed cupcakes, mini tarts, pies, custom cakes, wedding cakes, dessert bars, breakfast items and offer specialty gourmet coffees. I think what sets us apart is that we make everything completely from scratch. We don’t do shortcuts. I think bakeries today forgo the old way of baking and you can really taste the difference. I am most proud of being able to employ people and help them support their families while giving them a job that they enjoy.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Definitely! I grew up in the restaurant business. This is all I know. My family is probably the most critical when it comes to food, and they never skim over something I made if they thought it could be better. Pushing me like that, definitely made me have higher standards for myself: my employees and my products. If I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up in the food industry, I think I would have had a harder time and a lot more learning curves.
Pricing:
- Jumbo Stuffed Cupcakes $4.75 each or $51 per dozen
- Mini Stuffed Cupcakes $15.00 per dozen
- Gluten Free Jumbo Stuffed Cupcakes $5.75 each
Contact Info:
- Address: 12621 Hwy 105 W Ste 107
conroe tx 77304 - Website: www.babycakesbakery.com
- Phone: 936.703.5353
- Email: orders@babycakesbakery.com
- Instagram: @thatbabycakesbaker
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuffedcupcakes
Image Credit:
Jessie Smith Photography
Jaclynn Taylor Moss
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