We were lucky to catch up with May Riddle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, May thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Don’t stop learning. You have to continue learning new trends especially in my industry. Also be patient and learn to listen and communicate.
May, 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?
My business started during Covid. I thought of ways just to stay busy at home, so I started baking for family and friends just to have something to do. It’s been a passion/hobby of mine ever since I can remember. It was only for fun and to stay sane, really. Then shortly after, people started ordering my baked stuff.
I don’t know anything about starting a business. I only know how to bake. So I did my research and filed for all the permits and certifications needed and started “Bella Bells Cakes”. My business is named after my daughter Bella. My business specializes in buttercream cakes.
I was always used to working with people as I was in banking for many years. So this is all new to me. I love it though. I like that I get to make the decisions and approve my time off haha. I get very busy during the holidays so self care is a must. I’ve learned to take breaks here and there.
I would like to thank the Lord for giving me the wisdom to start my own business and blessing me with the talent to create beautiful and delicious cakes and other baked items. He deserves all the praise. I’d like to thank my husband Mike and my daughter Bella for being so supportive and understanding. Starting a business is not always smooth sailing. They have been very patient with my schedule, which is not only 9-5, it’s sometimes a 12 hour work day for me or longer. I’d also like to thank family and friends for supporting my passion. My clientele is usually from word of mouth. I don’t really advertise. Although I’m on instagram and YouTube. I now have regular customers that’s ordered from me from the start and new ones that’s also become my regulars. I love meeting people and listening to what they like and creating them. I love that my cakes become a part of their events and that reviews are always awesome.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
When people order cakes and other baked goods from me, I would usually give them a stack of business cards to put on the dessert table. I know that everything is mostly digital now, but you just have to include your Instagram handle and YouTube on your business cards. Like I said, I gain most of my clientele through word of mouth. They would always ask who made the cake. And when I get inquiries , I like to ask how they hear about me. The answer is always “oh I’ve tasted your cake at a party and I got your card”.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Having your own business is not easy. From creating a timeline to organizing your schedule, it takes a lot of prioritization. Having a family and having your own business can be hard. Sometimes I get so busy that I miss family events or gatherings because I’m stuck finishing an order. Weekends are usually the busiest. I’ve learned to work around my schedule and prioritize things. Work/life balance is so important. It’s easy to get so immersed into what you’re working on that I have made sure I keep better track of my work schedule and family events.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @BellaBellsCakes
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bellabellscakes
