Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Fessler.
Nikki, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My Mom and I were (and currently are) obsessed with watching baking and cake decorating shows on TV. After taking a couple of cake decorating classes during my senior year of high school, I started doing cakes out of my parents’ kitchen as a hobby. I took a break while in college, but after graduating, getting a full-time job and flying the nest, I picked up cake decorating again — this time as a side business. I have always been a crafty person, but cake decorating is definitely the biggest outlet for my creativity and allows so much of my imagination to come to life. According to “my” plan and timetable, for now, Abundant Delights was going to be more of a paid-hobby sort of deal and then when the family comes along I could be a stay-at-home mom with a home business… but the Lord’s plan and timing is so much better! He has been opening doors of opportunity NOW by meeting and networking with amazing, influential people and I am so excited to see what the rest of His plan is for this company.
Has it been a smooth road?
This road has definitely had its bumps along the way, but I am blessed to say that I know that I have never had to travel it alone. I have found an amazing support system in my family and friends who have stuck by me through the thick and thin; from the first time I baked cupcakes with a fondant flower and forgot to warn my family about the toothpick (sorry, Daddy!) to years later when I just completed the most intricate fondant cake I have had thus far. I contribute a large portion of the growth of Abundant Delights to their continuing uplifting and encouragement. So, I guess my first point of advice would be to surround yourself with a supporting community filled with people you can rely on to tell you the truth, who will be there when you fall short of a goal and to help you realize that it is an opportunity for growth, and who knows how to make you laugh when it seems it is the last thing you want to do.
Another big lesson that comes along the journey is to not be discouraged by others’ reactions. Not everyone will react to your work the same as you do and that doesn’t mean that they hate it! I am a very outgoing, smiley and cheerful person, so when I like something, I tend to want to shout it from the rooftops and make sure that everyone knows that I love it. When people (especially customers) don’t react the same, I would have a tendency to jump to the absolute worst possible scenario. First of all, I stand on Colossians 3:23 that says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NLT) so that I remember not to rely on anyone else’s opinions for my confidence, but this is also when the community previously mentioned comes in handy. Your close circle of family and/or friends will be honest with you and bring you some of the encouragement you need that you may not have received from someone else’s reaction.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Abundant Delights: Custom Cakes & Cupcakes – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in custom-designed cakes and cupcakes for numerous occasions. The beauty of being a home baker is that my availability can be scheduled to meet your needs. While Pinterest and other inspirational photos can be helpful, I enjoy collaborating with my customers to see how we can tweak the inspiration or idea to best fit their occasion.
The name “Abundant Delights” was inspired by the promise for an abundant life that is found only in the Lord and the joy that comes when you delight in Him! My desire is to show the love of Jesus in everything that I do. My work has given me opportunities to meet people that I would never have otherwise, and while I love to create, I equally enjoy seeing the reaction on a customer’s face when they see what was created just for them!
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I wholeheartedly believe that networking is vital for success. I have already mentioned a lot about community and the power it has for encouragement and growth, but it definitely applies here. Networking with other entrepreneurs in your area can be very helpful, whether or not they are in your line of work, because you can learn from each other’s mistakes and they may have insight on the best way to advertise to the audience around you.
Social media has played a big part in connecting me with fellow bakers from around the world who share the same heart and interests. We may be oceans away from each other but we can still swap ideas and be inspired by one another’s work. I have also been reconnected with friends from the past who are cake decorators and have collaborated on a few projects.
Contact Info:
- Email: abundantdelightscc@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/abundant_delights
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/abundant.delights
Image Credit:
Jordan Mitchell Photography, Julia Arceri Photography
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