Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen DeGuzman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I originally moved from Austin where I went to school at The Art Institute for Baking & Pastry. Here is where I worked at bakeries, learning to decorate cakes at a high volume rate all while maintaining quality standards. I was creating cakes on my own at the time, up until a friend of mine who recently moved to Houston contacted me because he was interested in my style of decorating and bringing it the bakery he was at.
He had offered me a position at Common Bond to become the head cake decorator because at the time they didn’t have any cakes. Here is where I developed different flavor combinations and a certain cake design style that would later become their known celebration cake décor style. I was truly given creative freedom to create an entire cake program into what it is now. I truly loved what I created while working there, but later came to realize something was missing. I then decided to part ways with the place I was truly grateful for to take on a new role with another bakery but later found myself still missing something. It was during this time where I decided to jump into creating 100% for myself.
Here is where I really wanted to develop flavor combinations that represented me. I want to take the flavors you know and love but turn it up a notch with different texture components, while also giving you flavors that remind me of my childhood. I chose to follow something I’ve been yearning for, and that’s to give apart of who I am in every creative way possible through unique cake flavor combinations to cake designs that are uniquely me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Since starting Butter Baby Bakery, I would say it’s been a learning experience. I’ve put in long nights developing recipes, throwing out cake flavors that didn’t make the cut, creating my website, and developing my brand. But I think my biggest challenge of them all was taking a leap of faith. I left a great job I worked at for three years for another and left that new position I was only at for one week, to make this itching vision I had buried away for three years in my head, a reality. Taking a leap of faith and trusting that I was making the right decision has been my greatest challenge yet but also the greatest blessing, all while understanding that these blessings will continue, only if I work at it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Butter Baby Bakery – what should we know?
Butter Baby Bakery specializes in designer cakes, cupcakes, blondies and cookies. We are mainly known for our designer cakes, unique flavors and our monthly dessert subscription. What sets us apart is that our cakes are the center of attention for your celebrations, and they can’t help but catch your eye because of how unique they are. We also have a monthly dessert subscription where we hand deliver different desserts including a 6″ pre-design cake straight to your doorstep for six months. This was truly created to feel like a gifted delivery service that would keep our customers surprised and excited for sweets each month.
Our flavor combinations combine the familiar flavors you grew up with all while combining it with different textures elements to turn it up a notch, while also giving you surprisingly unique flavors like Ube and pairing it with something more familiar like Coconut Caramel. We hand deliver cakes and treats to each customer to not only make it more convenient but also help provide options to those who want to gift treats to those they love. Being apart of all celebrations from the small ones, big ones to the “just because” ones is truly what we want to be apart of. We want to be first and last thing you remember at any celebration with not only the creative design but also the unique flavor.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, parents, and entire family are definitely my biggest supporters and cheerleaders in my life. They’ve always supported every decision I’ve made, so as long as it made me happy. They’ve continuously cheered me on and pushed me through. They’ve without a doubt have believed in me more than I’ve believed in myself at times. My husband, Jonathan Lopez, has without a doubt been the person who has pushed me the most to go out of my comfort zone. He has stayed up with me late nights, learned how to make cake fillings, been my dishwasher and been the person that I’ve leaned on the most. He is the reason I took this leap of faith because he basically pushed me to just do it. For that, I am so thankful to have him as my loudest cheerleader and motivator.
The person that has definitely mentored me throughout my career that has become a good friend of mine would be Jeff Ontiveros. He not only was my instructor but also the person that gave me the most advice and honest feedback. I can always count on him to tell me the honest truth no matter what, and I’ve always appreciated that. He’s also helped spark great ideas like the monthly dessert subscription and has also given me direction in smart moves to make. I’m definitely thankful for his support and continuous mentorship.
Pricing:
- Pre-Design Signature Cakes: $35 – $85
- Custom Design Cakes: $85 – $195
Contact Info:
- Website: www.butterbabybakery.com
- Email: hello@butterbabybakery.com
- Instagram: @butterbabybakery
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ButterBabyBakery/
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