Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalya Reaves
Hi Natalya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If I’m honest my love for baking started as a child helping my grandmother and mother in the kitchen. I’ll skip ahead a few years to adolescence, I think maybe middle school. I was enrolled in a summer program where I was taking a home economics class and we learned how to make biscuits and red velvet cake. Of course we learned more than those two things but those stuck out because I came home eager to make them! I remember making red velvet cake almost every week trying to perfect it, that may be why I’m tired of red velvet at this point in life lol. After that class I took an interest in decorating cakes and even took a few classes to learn the basics. I didn’t really use the skills right away and kinda just put the whole idea of cake decorating down. One day me and a friend were cleaning my room and found my old cake decorator tools l. My friend asked why I stopped and I really didn’t have an answer but I was told my face lit up when we talked about it. Shortly after conversation I picked it back up. Fast forward to 2012 when I moved to a new city and I started to take my craft seriously. As most new business owners I picked a name and just went for it. Business was business trying to build clientele and make a name for yourself isn’t always easy but so worth it. After about 11 years in Tampa,Florida I decided it was time to move myself and the business to another city and state. In 2023 I moved to Georgia and it’s been a fun ride since then!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey this far has been exactly that a journey. Starting a business without a lot of knowledge on how to do so can be a challenge, but also a learning experience. I officially started the business during the pandemic in October to be exact. My clientele had been established but of course I wanted more. Being the baker, decorator, manager, photographer, content creator everything in a business can wear you out. Not to mention I work a 9-5. I think that’s the thing about a journey though you keep going although it hasn’t been easy I’ve stayed the course!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As far as what I do I bake, that’s the easy answer. I can do it all truthfully, however I specialize in custom cakes and specialty cupcakes. Those flavors range from vanilla to s’mores and my most popular flavors are carrot cake, strawberry, red velvet and banana pudding. Those are all cake and cupcake flavors. For me I’m proud of my growth as a cake artist. I remember back when I first started taking decorating classes I never thought I’d be doing the designs and events etc. that I am now. As a business owner or even just a person I think you never stop learning so I’m super excited to see how far I can go. The best thing about me and my business is that I’m creative and I allow that to roam free when decorating, when creating new desserts as well as flavors.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success for me looks like freedom and fun. The freedom to do anything I need and want to do without any restrictions. For me success is also being a household name. Not only do I want to be the best baker but also well known for my level of customer service and the quality of my work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweeet_tooth_confections_llc?igsh=MWVwbDNkMnIzNWd2OA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556566385721&mibextid=LQQJ4d
