We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Hewitt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lindsey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?
The family business model has been crucial to the success of my cupcake bakery…I am all for it!!
Though I run and manage most of the day-to-day operations, I could not do any of it without the help of my husband, son, and daughter. Assisting with everything from deliveries, wedding/event set up, quality control, making boxes, and taste testing (hello, the most fun part!), I would be lost without their help.
My 12-year-old daughter teases me because I refer to my business as “we.”
“Mom, why don’t you say “I”? You run this business, give yourself more credit!” Because, my sweet girl, I couldn’t accomplish any of my success if it weren’t for the 3 of you!
My brand has become a part of who I am and that too has played a significant role in the lives of my family. WE ARE Bada Bling Cupcakes! Getting to spend that time with the people I love the most while engaging in a career that I love and have put my life into makes me feel fulfilled. Clients smile when they see a family putting such care into their orders. And, there is no one I’d rather run this company with than my tribe!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Lindsey Hewitt and I am the Owner, Operator, and Master Cupcake Artist behind Bada Bling Cupcakes.
Glitter, glam, and a ‘lil rock ‘n’ roll is what we’re all about! Have you seen our neon green cupcake car driving around town??
I’m an Arizona native that has lived in the East Valley most of my life. I currently live in Gilbert with my amazing family that helps me in every aspect of running this business.
I love all things girly (ahh, pedicures!) but there is nothing better than riding street bikes, stopping pucks on the ice, or off-roading in the dunes with my tribe. Fun over fear, live your best life!
I love a good cupcake but have never enjoyed the “frosting-so-sweet-your-teeth-ache” experience. So, I made it my mission to develop the perfect cake and even more amazing frosting (it’s what we are known for!).
While on maternity leave with my daughter, I became restless from endless diaper changes and feedings. I needed a hobby while taking care of my babies. Well, my sweets started off as fun gifts to give for birthdays, but when people started paying me for what became a way to express my creativity, I knew I had found a little piece of happiness. I ran Bada Bling as a side hustle for 10 years while working in the corporate world and recently decided to make this my full time passion!
With the help and support of my amazing family and friends, our cupcake only (jumbo, mini, and standard sized) bakery has grown by leaps and bounds. Almost 12 years later and I am still adding passion and creativity to each and every order. We can’t wait for you to try us out!
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
THE biggest marketing risk I have ever taken is with my delivery vehicle.
My personality is bold, loud, fun, and vibrant. I wanted my marketing to match my style. And, since I live in my vehicle conducting cupcake deliveries, going on supply runs, and shuttling my kids to and from school and sports activities, what better way to advertise my company than through my car??
Since my husband is the guru of all things mechanical, he helped me find a 2012 Kia Soul that was mechanically sound and great on gas mileage. New tires, new wheels, a neon green vehicle wrap, sparkly diamond side mirrors, window tint, advertising decals…SO much went into transforming the “Cupcake Car”. We put a lot of money into this vehicle to give life to the vision of how I thought it should look. I was terrified that I made a bad choice spending so much on an older vehicle to not receive much return out of it. Had a made a super costly investment with little return?
Oh boy, that was NOT the case!! Not only have we made back ALL that we have put into the car a year after it’s transformation, but we have tripled our business. People wave as we drive down the street, take photos of the vehicle, post us all over social media. BEST (and most fun) marketing decision ever!!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Being me.
I provide a phenomenal product. Not only does it look beautiful, but my cupcakes taste great (I had to fail miserably in order to achieve both!) But, no matter how wonderful my cupcakes may be, no one will want to do business with me if I do not provide phenomenal customer service and portray professionalism.
I make it my goal to make each client a friend. Smile (even in a text or an Email), use their name frequently, remember significant events in their life, treat each person as if they are your good friend that you have known for years. Be transparent and honest, Go the extra mile. Then, not only am I providing a wonderful product but a feel-good valuable service to each of my customers as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.badablingcupcakes.com
- Instagram: @badablingcupcakes
- Facebook: Bada Bling Cupcakes
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFk-0k5p1K0&t=3s
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bada-bling-cupcakes-gilbert
Image Credits
Personal photo taken by Ashley Blake Photography. All other photos were taken by myself.