We recently connected with Nicole Tabak and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

This happened about a year into my professional baking career and I was still fairly new to the industry.

I got this order for a super, cool beer mug cake. It was supposed to be a beer mug made out of 4 layers of 6 inch round cakes. It was probably one of the first times I had to sculpt and model a handle out of fondant. I was TERRIFIED. I wasn’t really sure how to tackle it.

I started off trying to use flower wire and quickly learned that was too flimsy. I then started using wooden dowels and realized it was going to work but need some serious work.

At this point, I had assembled the entire cake and decorated it. It looked amazing, but it was time to put on the handle…

I quickly realized that I didn’t let the fondant handle dry enough and it was way too heavy for the cake. At this point, the cake layers started sliding. I forgot to put the center dowel support in there. This was the morning of cake delivery, might I add. I wanted to wait till the morning to put the handle on so that it would firm up.

The cake was ultimately trashed. I was completely heartbroken. I knew I needed to rush and come up with a plan.

I quickly and meticulously re-baked new cake layers and make new buttercream. I was able to assemble and get the cake together; and becauae I had to remake all the items, my handle had enough time to dry.

I just remember I was in tears after I finished that cake. I was so proud of it. Even though I had gone through all those trials and tribulations, I got it done!

Moral of the story: DON’T GIVE UP!

You may feel like you have NOTHING left in the tank, but you do. There’s reserve in there just for times like these.

One thing I’ve learned about being a small business owner, is that you have to work through the incredibly, hard times to get to the amazingly, fun and great times! Your customers are number one and make your business what it is today.

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

My name is Nicole and I’ve been baking for about 15 years (almost 4 years professionally).

I grew up in the kitchen with my great grandma and grandma. We would make all kinds of amazing, Mexican dishes and desserts. I would always LOVE to visit and make desserts with them.

It inspired and motivated me to continue to bake and experiment in the kitchen as I grew up. There was a period of time when I stopped baking due to going into a deep depression. I found my way out of it through baking. I rekindled my love for baking and why it was so important to me. I started baking everything. I was watching videos and tutorials on how to do things. When I first really started getting back into it, I had no idea how to even make American Buttercream!

Eventually, I took the leap and posted one of the first, decorated cakes I had made on my social media. The response and support was insane! My friends and family were asking me if I did it professionally and were asking for orders…thus Getting Caked With Nicole was born.

Currently, I offer custom cupcakes, cakes, and assorted, delicious desserts.

Almost 4 years later and Getting Caked With Nicole is doing great! I cannot thank my customers enough! Without their referrals and mentions, I would not have the client base I have now.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I believe that building a social media audience has everything to do with how you style your items for your social media photos/videos.

Using backdrops and items like sprinkles or props that go with your theme. Making sure you have good lighting. You don’t need a high tech camera. I use my phone camera.

I also try to continuously educate myself on new methods by watching videos on new trends and ideas to make your social media look pristine.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the best methods that I have used to grow my clientele is doing a Givaway on social media.

The way I do this is making a batch of cupcakes or a small cake and decorating it in a theme that would be neutral or with the seasons/holidays. Then I would post it on social media and ask the followers to like and share the post and they will be entered to win the cake/cupcakes and 20% off a future order.

This marketing is fairly cheap because it’s costing minimal in supplies and time and you are getting your name shared multiple times on the social media platform.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @GettingCakedWithNicole
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gettingcakedwithnicole

Image Credits
I took all photos