We recently connected with Anna Brunson Olmsted and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
When I first started, I was pretty much giving cakes away for free. I developed confidence in my product and actually started advertising on Craigslist back in 2010 when this was a popular online platform. I had several inquiries and eventually I was able to get a bride to order a wedding cake. I was so beyond excited I am pretty sure I called every family member to tell them. I had yet to be paid for a cake and the bride was willing to pay me $100 for a 3 tier wedding & a huge grooms cake. To this day, it is the best 100 dollars I have earned because that was my entrance into weddings, which was my ultimate dream.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have always been creative and loved art, but it was a class at Micheal’s craft store that made me realize my love for cake decorating. While this was a basic class that only taught you to ice a cake, it was my gateway. Between the ages of 16 and 20 I made cakes for anyone who asked, I just wanted all the experience I could get. I finally took a leap of faith and started my company when I was 21 years old. I didn’t have any formal culinary or pastry schooling but I did have a business degree and a ton of passion. My drive and hard work over the past 13 years has truly paid off. I have won numerous awards and been featured in many amazing wedding magazines. Some of my award highlights are Best Wedding Cake in Atlanta for the past two years from Jezebel Magazine, Two time Diamond Award winner and being featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. Each and every cake that leaves my kitchen is made with love and quality ingredients. I truly love what I do and I love getting to create masterpieces for my client’s special day.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think word of mouth and online reviews are everything in today’s world. I make sure from the first interaction through to cake delivery and setup that my client is well informed, receives quick responses, check ins on satisfaction with their decision, and no stress on their wedding day from the cake aspect. I also do a follow up with my bride & groom to make sure their wedding cake was exactly what they dreamed, and tasted amazing too. The number of times I hear from brides and planners saying how poor communication from other vendors has made them not what to use or recommend them, I make it one of my main priorities. Taking pride in your work and your clients will leave you with awesome reviews that will attract future clients.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
After over 13 years in the industry and extremely hard work I think my best source for new clients is the amazing vendors with whom I get to work along side. I have numerous planners, venues, caterers, and photographers who recommend their clients to me for their wedding and grooms cakes needs. I truly think that this is the best accolade, being referred by other wedding vendors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cakesbyanna21.com
- Instagram: @cakesbyanna21
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/cakesbyanna21
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/cakes-by-anna-atlanta
Image Credits
Grapefruit Photography Megan Inwood photography Garnet O Conner Photography Eating Through Atlanta Garter Whiskey Photography Hannah Miller Photography