Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Matheson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Taylor, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always had a love for baking but it wasn’t until I decided I was going to make my son’s second birthday cake that I became completely obsessed with learning everything I possibly could about cakes and baking. A lot of practice and a few questionable looking cakes later I pulled off a successful second birthday cake for my son. Little did I know that was just the beginning! I never stopped baking and my cakes started turning out better and better. After a few friends ordered from me I took a leap of faith and Cottonwood Cakes was born!
Taylor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As I mentioned before, I fell into this industry by accident! I started out offering celebration cakes but quickly expanded my offerings to include cakesicles (customer fav!), cupcakes, wedding cakes and small desserts like macarons. I’m also super excited to be launching a monthly subscription box that can ship nationwide! I think what sets me apart is my style, attention to detail and my recipes! I worked really hard to make sure my cakes taste as good as they look. I’m always testing new recipes and recently added a few new flavors to my menu. In my opinion taste comes first.
My ultimate goal is to help my customer’s create lasting memories with friends and family by utilizing premium ingredients and unique custom designs to create unforgettable cakes and desserts. The cake is the centerpiece for receptions and celebrations and I want to make sure it is memorable.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I had very few followers when I transitioned a rarely used personal account to a business account. I posted pretty pictures of my cakes every now and then but it wasn’t until I started making reels and posting consistently that I started to see my audience grow. Once I started showing up in the videos and stories I saw even more growth. People like to see the person behind the account and feel like they know you. I know it can be hard to show up in person on social media (I’m a huge introvert) but it’s important to connect with your audience in this way. I still don’t have a huge following but it’s growing everyday!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Social Media and word of mouth! I strive to make sure all my customers have a great experience when they order from me so they are happy to recommend me to others.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Kelly Klemmensen Photography Melissa Mayrie Photography