We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kim Nunez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
If I could go back in time, I do wish I had started my business sooner—but honestly, I believe I started at the time that was right for me.
I’ve been decorating cakes as a hobby for over 14 years, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I officially turned my passion into a part-time business. At the time, I had just turned 30 and was working full-time as a state employee in an office/call center environment. While the job offered stability, I wasn’t feeling fulfilled—and I knew deep down that cake decorating was where my heart truly was.
Still, I wasn’t quite ready to let go of the steady paycheck and benefits, so I played it safe and started building my business on the side. Balancing both roles was challenging, and I quickly realized that my business wasn’t growing the way I had hoped—simply because I didn’t have the time or energy to pour into it the way it needed.
Fast forward to 2024, I reached my 10-year anniversary working for the state and had a big “aha” moment. I realized it was time to take a chance on myself—really take that leap. I officially left my full-time job in January of 2025 and committed to my cake business full time, and it’s been the most rewarding decision I’ve made.
Looking back, had I started full time earlier, I would have gained more exposure, built deeper relationships with clients, and proven to myself even sooner that yes—this dream was possible. But the truth is, I didn’t yet have the confidence or grit back then that I have now. Taking the leap when I did meant I was ready, grounded, and fully committed.
So while I may wish I’d started sooner, I’m also deeply grateful for the journey that led me here—because it gave me the courage to build something sweet, meaningful, and completely my own.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! My name is Kim, and I’m a 33-year-old custom cake and cupcake designer with a passion for creating sweet moments that people remember long after the party ends.
I’ve loved baking for as long as I can remember, but my cake-decorating journey officially began when I was 19, after my best friend asked me to make a Noah’s Ark-themed cake for her baby shower. Spoiler alert: the cake was… a little rough. But it lit a creative fire in me that’s never gone out. From that moment on, I was hooked. I spent countless hours diving into YouTube tutorials, practicing techniques, and learning everything I could about the art of cake decorating.
I started out working with fondant, but over the years, I fell in love with the texture and versatility of buttercream. Today, I specialize in buttercream cakes and cupcakes, with the occasional fondant accent for flair. I create fully custom edible art for all types of events—from birthdays and weddings to baby showers and everything in between.
My goal is always to design cakes that not only look stunning, but taste just as amazing. I believe that a cake should be the centerpiece of your celebration—not just something pretty to take a photo of, but something your guests actually enjoy eating. I work closely with each client to make sure the design complements their event perfectly, down to the smallest detail.
What sets me apart? I take pride in being reliable, open, and constantly improving. I care deeply about my work, and I’m always looking for ways to grow creatively and better serve my clients. Whether it’s feedback, a new technique, or just brainstorming fun ideas with a customer, I’m all in.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me to be part of their most meaningful celebrations. I don’t take that lightly—it’s an honor to help bring their vision to life through cake.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that when they order from me, they’re getting a cake that’s made with love, care, and a whole lot of delicious Swiss Meringue buttercream.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has hands down been word of mouth. I’m incredibly grateful to have such a supportive community of past and current clients who consistently recommend my business to their friends, family, and colleagues.
I truly pour my heart into every order—making sure each cake not only looks beautiful but tastes just as amazing. I believe when you genuinely care about your work and your clients, it shows—and that kind of experience is something people naturally want to share. There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing, “I was referred by so-and-so who said you were amazing.” That trust means everything to me!
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes! What started as a side hustle has now officially become my full-time business—and I couldn’t be more proud of the journey it took to get here.
I started out making cakes for friends and family as a hobby. Over the years, I kept hearing the same encouragement: “You have a real gift—you should start a business!” So, in 2022, I took the leap and launched my custom cake business part time while still working full time as a state employee.
For three years, I juggled both roles—pouring my evenings, weekends, and early mornings into building my business from the ground up. I made it a priority to connect with as many clients as possible, and always focused on creating cakes that were not just beautiful, but genuinely delicious. I said “yes” to as many orders as I could physically handle (sometimes too many, if I’m being honest!), but it allowed me to build a loyal and growing client base.
In early 2025, I made the decision to go full time—and I haven’t looked back.
Some of the key milestones along the way? Consistently having fully booked weekends, strong holiday sales for events like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, and the incredible honor of being invited to host not one, but two pop-up shops at Nordstrom at The Shops at Santa Anita. And one of the most surreal moments? Getting inquiries from new clients on social media—some of whom asked me to make their wedding cakes after seeing my work on Instagram.
Looking back, turning my side hustle into a full-time business was one of the most rewarding and empowering decisions I’ve ever made. It took a lot of heart, hustle, and buttercream—but it’s been so worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buttercreambykim.com
- Instagram: @buttercreambykim
Image Credits
Brittanee Taylor @brittaneetphoto
Suzanna Huerta @shotbysvz