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

Charla , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my business started with a love for baking that’s been with me for years. I’ve always enjoyed creating unique baked goods, but it wasn’t until I started taking cake decorating classes that I really began to explore my creative side in the kitchen. I loved pushing the boundaries of traditional baking, but one challenge I constantly ran into was the cake pop—specifically, keeping the cake on the stick. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to get it to work the way I envisioned.

After several attempts and a lot of frustration, I decided to scrap the stick altogether. Instead, I started experimenting with dipping the cake balls directly without the stick—and that’s when I found my solution. The cake balls were not only easier to manage, but they also held together perfectly, offering a smooth and uniform coating that made them look as great as they tasted. From there, I started making them for my friends and family, and I couldn’t get enough of their reactions. They loved them! They were fun, delicious, and different from the typical baked goods they’d had before.

Fast forward a few years, and I was working in a job that didn’t fulfill me. I wasn’t excited about the work, and after having my daughter, I realized that life was too short to be stuck in a career that didn’t bring me joy. I wanted to do something I was passionate about, something that could allow me to have the flexibility and creativity I craved. That’s when it hit me: Why not turn my cake ball creations into a business?

The logic behind it felt clear. There were plenty of bakeries out there, but what I was offering was different—cake balls were a fun, bite-sized twist on traditional cakes and desserts. Not only were they delicious, but they also appealed to people who wanted something unique and customizable. I knew this could work because I had already been making them for years, seeing firsthand how much people loved them. I had built a following of friends and family who would always ask for more, and that told me there was potential to grow this into something bigger.

What excited me most was the opportunity to share something I loved with others and create a business that allowed me to work on my own terms. I wasn’t just solving a problem no one else was addressing—I was offering a completely new experience for dessert lovers. The idea was fresh, fun, and it had the potential to make an impact. More importantly, it was something I was genuinely passionate about. I wanted to create a product that would bring joy and excitement to people’s events and celebrations, and that passion fueled my leap into turning this hobby into a business.

So, I took the plunge. I left my job and went full force into creating and selling my cake balls. Every step of the way, I’ve been driven by the joy of seeing how something as simple as a delicious treat can bring people together and make their day a little sweeter.

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.

I am just a county girl living on some acreage in Cameron, MO with my family, cows & chickens. I love to enjoy the outdoors and crochet doilies in my free time (Definitely in my grandma era). I was always drawn to baking, though, and over the years, I developed a real love for creating unique desserts. It wasn’t until I discovered cake balls that everything clicked. After seeing Bakerella’s popular cake pops, I was hooked and wanted to try my hand at making them. But every time I tried to keep the cake on the stick, it just wouldn’t work. I kept failing, but instead of giving up, I thought, “Why not try something different?” That’s when I came up with my own way of making cake pops—without the stick. Instead, I dipped the cake balls directly, and the result was a more stable, easier-to-handle treat. I ran with this new idea and decided to call them cake balls.

What sets my business apart is that I’m not just following a trend—I’ve created a completely different version of cake pops that gives my customers a fresh, bite-sized alternative. While everyone is used to seeing cake pops on a stick, my cake balls offer a unique twist that makes them easier to enjoy and more fun to eat. Over the years, I’ve honed my craft, perfecting my recipe and my technique, which is something I’m really proud of. I also love being able to personalize my treats for special occasions, which has helped me build loyal customers who know they can count on me for something that stands out at parties and celebrations.

Starting this business wasn’t easy. In fact, my degree is in Criminal Justice, so I had to navigate an entirely new industry and learn the ropes of entrepreneurship from the ground up. There were a lot of challenges, but the passion for baking and the joy I get from making people happy through my creations kept me going. I’m incredibly proud of where I am today—building a business from scratch, creating something unique, and sharing my love for baking with others.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that my business is more than just desserts—it’s about creating memorable experiences through food. Whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, or special event, I’m all about making those moments sweeter with personalized, unique treats. I’m passionate about what I do, and I truly care about providing the best for my clients. What started as a simple idea has grown into a business that means so much to me, and I’m beyond grateful for the support and the opportunity to do what I love every day.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle absolutely turned into my full-time business, and the journey has been quite an adventure. It all started with a love for baking and a simple idea to create unique treats. I began making cake balls for my friends and family over 10 years ago, just as a fun hobby. At first, it was just something I did on the weekends, and I had no intention of turning it into a business. But every time I shared them, people were so excited, and I started getting requests to make them for birthdays, holidays, and special events. That’s when I realized there was potential here beyond just a hobby.

I didn’t have any formal training in baking or business—I had a degree in Criminal Justice, so this whole venture was a leap into the unknown. But I loved it so much, and the positive feedback I received was overwhelming. The turning point came after I had my daughter and was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy. I realized that if I wanted a life that was more fulfilling, I needed to take the leap and pursue something I was truly passionate about.

I started treating my cake balls like a small business, taking orders from friends and family and spreading the word. It wasn’t easy at first—I had to balance my full-time job, family life, and my growing business, but I slowly began to scale up. I started working on my branding, building a social media presence, and experimenting with new flavors and designs to set myself apart. Slowly, orders started coming in from people outside my immediate circle, and that’s when I knew I had something special.

One of the key milestones was when I officially launched my business and left my full-time job. It was a big step, but I felt it was the right time. I invested in better equipment, expanded my product line, and began to take on larger orders, like weddings and corporate events. Another milestone was when I started building a loyal customer base, with people coming back for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. My business started growing through word of mouth and social media, and I felt more confident in my decision to go all in.

Today, I’m proud to say that my cake balls are not just a side hustle—they’ve become my full-time career. It’s been an amazing journey of learning, growth, and overcoming challenges. I’m able to work from home, set my own schedule, and do something I’m passionate about every day. It’s been a huge shift from where I started, but I’m grateful for every step along the way. The journey is far from over, but it’s been an incredible ride, and I’m excited for what’s next!

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

The best source of new clients for my business has definitely been word of mouth. Early on, I made it a point to deliver a high-quality product and provide excellent customer service, and it didn’t take long for people to start recommending my cake balls to others. Whether it was friends sharing my treats at a party or a satisfied customer telling their coworker about a special event, word of mouth quickly became my most powerful marketing tool. People trust the opinions of those they know, and when someone is raving about a product, it naturally sparks interest.

Social media also played a big role in getting the word out, but even then, it was often my loyal customers sharing photos of their orders or tagging my business in posts that led to new clients. Over the years, I’ve learned that when people feel connected to your brand and experience great service, they’re more than happy to spread the word. It’s been humbling to see how a positive experience can turn into a chain reaction of referrals, and that organic growth has been key to the success of my business.

Ultimately, I believe the best clients come from the ones you’ve already made happy, and I’m incredibly grateful for the community of customers who’ve supported me and helped grow my business through their recommendations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mycustombakes.com/ballzycakes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballzycakes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ballzycakes