We recently connected with Chasteen Diaz and have shared our conversation below.
Chasteen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?
With cakes so many trends come and go.. the biggest trend right now that I hope stays for a while is a vintage cake. They are so stylish but also so simple to do. It’s one of my favorite cakes to make. Especially in a heart shape!
Chasteen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Cakes by Chas is a small business that started during covid, I have always loved to bake cakes and being home all day I was very bored (as was everyone else). One night I decided to make a video of me making a cake and I got A LOT of DMs saying I should do this all the time. Next thing I knew I was selling cakes.
I am always listening to what the client wants and giving them their dream cake. Most times I can get asked “just make it fun” and I will do everything in my power to make it something better than they would ever expect. Getting more details or inspiration pics always help but even then I will make sure it’s better than they ask for.
Being a at home baker and not having help can be challenging but because it’s just me I can really get to know what the client wants and ask all the questions to give them the perfect cake.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I’m not going to lie, I’m still trying to build my audience especially after doing this for the past three years. I have a friend who started a cake business in Florida with her sister after she saw me start here in LA and she has surpassed me in followers and they are thriving. CONTENT IS KEY. It’s much easier to make content when you have others to help but.. it’s not impossible to do alone. Anytime I have a cake I’m trying my best to make content. Being a stay at home mom has been my biggest challenge to creating content because I don’t have time to make content everyday or every week like I would like. But if you are getting started I would say find a way to build out what you want content to look like and just push through. My biggest help was having a brand manager map out for me ideas so it doesn’t always have to be a cake it can still be my business but just a fun graphic for days I need to post but have nothing but also to keep the aesthetic I’m trying to create.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word of mouth. When you get a client and exceed their expectations for everything from communication, to producing the cake, delivery, etc they not only come back but they tell others about you. Funny story but my doctor when I got pregnant found out I was an at home baker. I made a cake for her sister’s birthday a few weeks later and next thing I know, I am known as the patient who makes amazing cakes in the doctors office and everyone uses me. It’s funny to think it’s my doctors office, it’s very random but just from her telling her co workers how she liked my cake grew my business over night.
Contact Info:
- Website: Cakesbychas.com
- Instagram: @cakesbychas