Hi Jamie, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I am a full time business owner making custom cakes and desserts. I’ve been open for 7 years and have been able to do full time for the past 5 years. When I first started I worked at every restaurant setting I could to learn as much as possible, I kept working at other restaurants doing cakes on the side until I built a name for myself, it took about 2 years of consistent marketing and growing my skills to be able to leave my main stream of income.

Knowing what I do know about business and marketing yourself to the right crowd, I probably could have made the switch over sooner had I invested time and money into doing expos and markets but my schedule at the time didn’t allow for much wiggle room. Business is all about marketing your brand and having the best customer service. I learned being open and honest with your customers about your skill level will not only make them trust you but they will continue to support you knowing you aren’t trying to hustle them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a 29 year old business owner in Pensacola Fl, I am a mom to an amazing young man and wife to a great husband. I’ve been doing cakes since I was 14 years old, after high school I attended the Le Cordon Bleu St Louis. While there I participated in any and every event possible as well as serving as a student ambassador, representing the school at certain events. After graduating with my associates degree in baking and pastry I came back to Pensacola and started my business Rollin’ in Dough. I specialize in large carved realistic cakes but do everything from cake pops to cookies to pie. Sky is the limit in my kitchen. I always work my hardest to make my clients cake dreams come true without charging an astronomical amount. I work with several organizations to provide services to our community. I work with a local homeless agency to provide thanksgiving and Christmas dinner as well as treats when I can, i sponsor and participate in a local Mardi Gras krewe that raises money all year for local community charities, as well as donating auction products and gift cards to local events like the big brothers big sisters gala. I’m most proud of how much help I provide in our community. Through the multiple organizations I work with.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing is watching peoples reactions to their cakes coming to life, working with food can be hard to get all the elements you might be able to get in other mediums perfectly so it’s always amazing with a cake comes to life and makes you think twice “is this cake?”

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Shop local, simple as that. Go to your local markets, search your local facebook pages for people that create what you’re looking for before going to a big box store. Yes you might spend a little more but you are supporting people in your community. That one product could be someone’s lights or groceries.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollinindough850?igsh=MTAwNW5iOWwxMHlneQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18bgcJLfd1/?mibextid=wwXIfr