We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

My business started with a general passion for art and food and I knew I would thrive in a setting where I could combine both. As a young child, I remember being so fascinated by the process of bringing a recipe into fruition. I would spend hours looking at mazagine articles detailing the necessary steps to create not only a delicious recipe, but something that was visually appealing and looked like art. I started teaching myself to cook as soon as I was old enough and always enjoyed the time creating something new or just following a tested recipe.

I’ve always had a strong background in art and just gravitated toward any possibility to craft something new and unique with my hands. I love the old masters of painting and sculpture and have spent countless hours tinkering in all different kinds of artistic media. I still love to paint and sculpt in my spare time.
When I was planning my wedding back in 2003-2004, the internet was still relativly in its infancy and so most of the resources I found for planning were still in print form like magazines. I scoured magazine after magazine trying to put together my vision for the day and hands down, my most favorite part of the whole process was looking at all of the beautiful wedding cakes. It took me so long to finally decide on a cake because I probably looked at a thousand designs!

After the wedding, I found myself in a slump because the planning was done. I was finishing my last year of an undergraduate degree in Psychology and I found that I had some extra time on my hands; I decided I wanted to learn to decorate cakes myself. The Michaels craft store offered an introductory cake decorating class that I took and I was hooked! I loved the complexity of getting the details right and I was driven by the fact that I wasn’t a pro right at the start. I knew with enough practice, I would eventually get there and with many, MANY years of trial and error and continuing education through in person and online classes, I have gotten to a pretty solid place with my confidence in decorating. During all of this time, I worked tirelessly on the recipes that would be the foundation for my desserts and scaled that down to what I was good at, but also what I knew I would want to potentially offer with consistent results.

During the time I was gaining confidence in the actual decorating, my brain was also churning around the possibility of being able to use this skill in a professional setting and opening my own business. I started out making cakes for friends and family free of charge or at a severely reduced rate for years before I actually started charging close to what would be needed to make a profit. The people who let me help them celebrate their gatherings and events had so much confidence in my ability that it really drove me to continue with my dreams in this, even during late nights and ups and downs of running your own business. It’s a lot of work!

Finally, in 2010, I decided I would make all of this official and I launched “Classic City Confections.” I have and perhaps always will operate as a cottage food business in my home because it affords me the time to spend with my family and really vet the clientele in which I want to align myself. I have been able to really streamline the business to be wedding oriented because that’s what I enjoy most, but I have also made so many amazing connections in the business community in Athens that I have been able to branch out and create other items for small and personal events. This really helps to keep my creativity flowing so that the business doesn’t feel stagnant to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Ashley King, I have been the owner of Classic City Confections since its opening in 2010. I operate as a cottage food micro-bakery in my home in Athens, Georgia. I was born and grew up in Athens and graduated in 2005 from Kennesaw State University, where I focused on a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience. I have two children, Ryan and Maren, and when I am not baking, I am spending time with them and my husband, Matthew. I’m so thankful that the structure of my business has afforded me time to invest in my children, who are truly the most important things in my life and bring me so much joy.

After I graduated college, I decided to pursue my passion for art and food in cake decorating. Once I felt prepared to offer my services professionally, I applied for a cottage food license and business license in Athens-Clarke county. I offer primarily wedding cakes and reception-style desserts, but I also offer single cakes and other pick up dessert style items for smaller events and gatherings. Almost all of my meetings with potential clients take place in my home by appointment.

I really think what sets my business apart is my commitment to creating truly unique and personalized desserts. Each project is an opportunity to showcase my areas of strength while also taking into consideration the vision my client has. Marrying both of these things is really the most important aspect to the business and allows me to creating something truly unique for each person.
I specialize in hand-crafted wafer paper sugar flowers and sculpted designs, transforming each cake into a work of art. I make every single item fresh from scratch and use only the finest ingredients. My extensive experience in the Athens event industry has earned me a reputation for exceptional quality, consistency, and reliability. I take pride in delivering visually stunning and delicious desserts that contribute to the success of every event.

There have been countless challenges along the way, moments and late nights when I questioned whether I could continue. But I’m so grateful that I have persevered, keeping the vision and dream alive. The fulfillment I receive from creating beautiful and delicious desserts is truly immeasurable. I’m thankful that I have been able to balance a successful business along with investing in my family and being able to bring joy to peoples lives in this small way.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My primary source of new clients has been through event planners in the industry. I’ve had long-standing relationships with companies like Epting Events, Trumps Catering, and Athens Food Group, relying on their generous referrals for events ranging from corporate gatherings to elaborate weddings. I’ve provided everything from simple pick-up desserts to extremely intricate wedding and event cakes.

I’m also grateful for the support of wedding planners, both full-service and those who specialize in day-of or month-of coordination. Their referrals have been invaluable.

In addition to word-of-mouth, I’ve attracted new clients through online platforms. My Instagram following of 3,300 and Facebook following of 1,200 have helped generate interest and occasional sales through social media promotions. However, word-of-mouth remains the most significant driver of new business.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I’ve steadily built my following on social media over the years by staying true to myself and sharing images of cakes and desserts that reflect the core values of my business: inclusivity and diversity. I believe in creating beautiful and delicious treats for everyone, regardless of their background or preferences. By sharing visually appealing content that aligns with these values, I’ve been able to connect with a wider audience and foster a loyal following.

Collaborating on social media and within the business industry is a must for growth and exposure. Styled shoots are an excellent way to showcase your work in a collaborative setting, allowing potential clients to visualize the possibilities. These events not only highlight your skills but also foster strong relationships with other professionals in the industry. By working together, you can create stunning visuals that inspire and attract new clients and that in turn helps to build and foster your social media audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://classiccityconfections.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classiccityconfections/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063942637945
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-king-63807814/