Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita-Simone Avant.
Hi Rita-Simone, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely, I’d love to share my journey with you! It all started when I was just 15, back in high school. I had a math project that I wanted to make a little more fun and creative, so I decided to use store-bought cake mix and canned frosting to bake some cupcakes. Using candies and sprinkles, I decorated them to illustrate mathematical concepts like the radius and diameter of a circle. To my delight, my peers loved them so much that they started asking me to bring more. This little project quickly turned into a small business, as I began selling the cupcakes for a quarter and taking orders from friends and classmates.
Encouraged by their enthusiasm, I decided to challenge myself further and attempted my first custom cake. That’s when I truly fell in love with the craft of baking and decorating. From that point on, I was hooked. I spent countless hours teaching myself everything there is to know about baking and cake design. I documented every creation with photos and shared them on Instagram, using the power of social media to showcase my work and attract new clients.
Over the years, my little cupcake venture blossomed into CakeaRita. I’ve grown my business and my skills, and now I’m thrilled to be in a position to create amazing cakes for others, teach others my craft, and share the joy of baking and cake decorating. Through dedication and the incredible support from my online community, I’ve gained thousands of followers and likes on social media. This digital presence has not only expanded my reach but also opened doors to some truly remarkable opportunities. One of the highlights of my career has been creating cakes for celebrities like Tyler the Creator, and the legendary Chaka Khan. These experiences have been surreal and deeply rewarding, affirming that passion and hard work truly pay off. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every step along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Well, every journey has its bumps and curves, and mine has been no exception. One of the biggest struggles has been trying to find a balance as a business owner. It’s challenging to wear so many hats at once—taking orders, making the cakes, editing and posting content, being the delivery driver, handling all the administrative work—the list goes on. Being an entrepreneur is a 24-hour job with no breaks. If you let things get too out of control, you’re headed straight for burnout, which is something I’ve had to grapple with. While I’m still recovering from the effects of burnout, my passion for my work remains much stronger than the setbacks.
Another significant challenge has been ensuring that orders are correct. When you’re dealing with the public, there’s always the pressure to get everything just right. On top of that, staying relevant in our ever-evolving digital world requires constant creativity and innovation in marketing. It’s essential to keep your audience engaged and excited about what you’re doing, which means always thinking of new ways to present and promote your work.
Despite these struggles, the journey has been incredibly rewarding. The support from my followers and clients, along with my love for what I do, keeps me going even through the toughest times. Each challenge has taught me something valuable and has helped shape cakeaRita into what it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CakeaRita?
CakeaRita is an online bakery that specializes in custom cakes, but we offer a full variety of baked goods such as cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Our range doesn’t just stop there; we also provide a wide array of sweet treats perfect for completing a dessert table, including chocolate-covered strawberries, rice krispie treats, Oreos, pretzel rods, candied apples, custom cookies, and just about anything else you can think of. If you can dream it, we’ll make it happen!
What sets CakeaRita apart from others is our unique blend of sweets and savories. Our best-selling cupcake, known as Sundays Best, is a standout creation—a sweet potato cornbread cupcake filled with macaroni and cheese, frosted with garlic mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy, and topped with fried chicken. This innovative combination has won the hearts of many and inspired us to expand our line of savory cupcakes. Additionally, we’ve added empanadas to our menu, with flavors like pizza, birria taco, buffalo chicken, as well as dessert empanadas like peach pie and apple.
Adding more savory options has been fantastic for catering to large crowds during our community pop-ups, as we strive to offer something for everyone’s palate. We also ensure accessibility to our supporters nationwide by shipping items like our gourmet cookies and cake jars.
With the growing interest in cake decorating, we launched CakeaRita Academy. Here, bakers can find support to expand their knowledge, and we also host classes for parties and fun gatherings. It’s been a joy to share my passion and skills with others through these workshops.
I am most proud of creating a brand that is so versatile. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, traditional or innovative, CakeaRita has something to offer. Our dedication to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction truly sets us apart. We are excited to continue growing and bringing joy to our clients through our unique and delicious creations.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The cake industry is always evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging constantly. However, one thing remains constant: people will always love what they love. If you have a great product, any changes in the field should be a nonfactor. The key is to keep your skills sharp and stay current with the latest trends. Over the next 5-10 years, we can expect to see more emphasis on personalized and customized cakes, as well as an increase in the popularity of unique flavor combinations and intricate designs. As long as you continue to innovate and adapt, while maintaining high quality and creativity, you’ll thrive in this ever-changing industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cakearita.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cakearita
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cakearita
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcydJP34fJZhjsT38BC3JA
