Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Yanger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Prior to Covid I had played with the idea of my own business, but I never felt quite ready. I lacked confidence in myself, honestly. But once Covid hit, and we were locked down I was at home with a dog, a 1 year-old, my husband and myself. Because our daughter was so young, we did not physically get together with many people unless they also had young children who were not yet vaccinated and who had been equally cautious of interactions. We went about our routines, I’d watch our daughter during the week, we’d go on walks with our dog around the neighborhood, being careful to cross the road if anyone was in our path, going to the grocery store once a week to stock up, keeping the time there brief and making sure to fully sanitize when I got home. It was isolating. I, like many, jumped on the sourdough bandwagon, but I didn’t feel like I was being as artistic as I could be. Having worked in bakeries, hotels, catering, sports bars, I had a lot of experience and prior to Covid I had decided to push my efforts toward cake decorating. I had gotten an assistant position at a bakery where I was able to work under a wonderful boss, who taught me so much about making sugar flowers in such a short amount of time. I watched her design in awe, and I learned to increase my productivity. So when my sister-in-law asked me to make a cake for one of her friends, I was excited at the opportunity to get creative. It was a very simple cake of white buttercream with a fondant figure on top of his favorite stuffed animal. But I had fun doing it, a lot of fun. Soon more of her friends were asking for small cakes for their kids since everyone was having small parties at home, and I thought I could turn this into a real business. I got great reviews from all the parents and I started to think about doing weddings. But, as covid restrictions started to lift, I found out I was pregnant with our second child. As my pregnancy started to progress, I started to experience some bad morning sickness. All I could do was lay on the couch while my daughter watched “Puffin Rock” to ensure I didn’t have to throw-up. My cake business would have to wait. In the meantime I started to look at more recipes and come up with flavor profiles of cakes based on flavors I grew up with in Hawaii, mango, pandan, ube, and yuzu. I had really wanted to reach a demographic that I felt like wasn’t represented in the wedding industry. I also started to look in to getting a cottage license since I still taking care of my first child and was about to have my second. over the next few years I started working on the application as well as honing my recipes. I was also able to take a wedding workshop, where I met Genevieve, a planner in my area who was looking for a cake artist that represented more asian american clients that she tended to represent. We quickly formed a bond over our families being from Guam and Saipan. By this time, my son was old enough where I could take time away from him and my daughter was in school full-time. I had submitted my cottage license application and was approved. So I was fully able to start my business, not full time, since I still consider my full time job being a mom, but still. I have loved taking this risk andhavign the amazing support of other vendors, friends and family.

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 have always loved baking, as a young child I started baking with my mom and sister. The love of food never really went away, our family origins are japanese and chamorro, both cultures heavily influenced by food and the gathering of people. In college I followed in my mom’s footsteps of doing ceramics, so I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being creative. As I explored the many aspects of pastry and the food industry I found a true love of cake as art. And really started to pursue making sugar flowers.

I believe I offer a menu that targets asian customers who want to have flavors they grew up with on their wedding day. For people who have not had these flavors while growing up, it offers them a chance to explore something different and expand their palette.

I am very proud of how far my business has come in such a short amount of time, I do my best to ensure my clients are happy with what they receive and that I am able to be a small part in creating a custom wedding cake for their special day.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am a solid people pleaser by nature. I always try to ensure that my clients are happy, but I have recently also learned that my work does affect my family. If I have to work I lose time with my family, my husband spends his weekends watching our kids and the chores get put on the back burner. Its a ripple effect. In my efforts to start my business I have learned to adjust my thoughts, from “pleasing” to doing what is best my myself and my family. Last year I took on more than I could chew at times and I found myself severely burnt out. I wanted to make sure moving forward, before I agree to any cakes that I think about how much I want to take on, how much it’ll impact my family and myself.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I pivot on a daily basis. Balancing a business with managing two small children is not easy by any means. If its not a drop off or pick up it’s replying to an email, getting a quote to client, or sending a sketch off to a planner. My life is in constant pivot. but I love it, and I recently asked my daughter if she wished I would work less and she replied “Yes, I’d like to play with you more, but I know your work makes you happy and you like going to weddings.” I feel like that summed it up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alewabakeshop.com
• Instagram: alewabakeshop

Image Credits

Janet Lin Photography