We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natosha Fleming. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natosha below.

Alright, Natosha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

August June Desserts started off as a hobby in 2010. I was interested in learning how to decorate cakes, so I took a few cake decorating classes at a local craft store. The more classes I took, the more I fell in love with the art of decorating cakes. Over time, I started sharing the “practice” items from class with family and friends. I am a creative person and baking/cake decorating allowed for a creative outlet.

The hobby eventually turned into a business, when I realized that people were excited to order cakes and cupcakes from me. The name August June Desserts is a combination of the birth months of myself (August) and my son Ryan (June). I utilized my marketing degree and administrative skills, created a logo and business cards and the business was born.

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

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, the second oldest of 5 daughters. I have always been creative person and love to cook and bake (a skill inherited from my father). I ended up in the baking industry out of curiosity about learning how to decorate cakes.

August June Desserts is a custom cake studio based in Charlotte, NC. My specialty is creating made from scratch custom cakes and gourmet cupcakes for all occasions (weddings, birthdays, baby showers, corporate events, holidays, and any other events) where people want to have visually appealing and delicious cake and cupcakes. My motto is “There is nothing better than a freshly baked dessert!”

Anything can inspire a cake idea – patterns, flowers, music, a movie, or even the clouds in the sky. I love using colors and textures to create delicious works of art in cake form. My favorite part of designing custom cakes is personalization. The artistry, love, and care that I pour into each order is what makes my work stand out.

Each of my orders is a unique creation designed specifically for each client. I focus on the small, but special details such as favorite colors, flowers, or specific items or themes that are special to the client that can take a cake to the next level. It’s a great feeling to know that you create edible works of art that are a part of your client’s special moments and events. And it’s even a better feeling when they become like family after years of baking cakes.

I am most proud of the fact that I was able to build August June Desserts up from a hobby to a business and becoming a noted baker in Charlotte.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation in the Charlotte market has grown through a combination of hard work and consistency with a focus on quality. I started by building strong local relationships at pop-up events. Referrals/word of mouth play a huge role as people trust personal recommendations, especially when it comes to desserts for special occasions.

Social media has really helped jumpstart August June Desserts. Not just from a marketing standpoint, but from sharing the behind the scenes process and inspiration for the cakes. This helps people connect with me as a person, not just a business.

Connections within the local food and maker scene, supporting other small businesses, and participating in community events, has also helped build my reputation. These relationships provide support, build trust, which in turn helps all of us grow.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients has been a combination of word of mouth, Instagram, and Google. Since I specialize in custom cakes and gourmet cupcakes, a lot of my business comes from people who’ve either tasted my work at an event or were referred by a prior client.

Instagram has also been a great source for new clients. it’s where I showcase my artistry, share behind-the-scenes reels, and highlight client feedback. It gives people a clear sense of my style and the quality they can expect when placing an order with August June Desserts.

Google helps new clients discover me when they’re searching locally for bakers, Having my business show up in Google searches, along with reviews from past clients, helps new customers feel confident in reaching out to place an order.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.augustjunedesserts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/augustjunedesserts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571096669484
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/august-june-desserts-charlotte
• Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@augustjunedesserts1?lang=en
  Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/augustjunedesserts/

Image Credits

Carnival Cake – Natosha Fleming (August June Desserts)
Blue Floral Wedding Cake – Dorn-Long Photography
Asian Themed Cake – Natosha Fleming (August June Desserts)
Cookies & Cream Cupcakes – Natrice Miller
African Mask Cake – Rae Images
Red Velvet Cake – Natosha Fleming (August June Desserts)
Vintage Themed Cake – Becka Stone Photography
Black Elegance Wedding Cake – Natosha Fleming (August June Desserts)