We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tatiana Tovar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tatiana, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I had always loved baking, ever since I was a little kid. While other kids were watching “That’s so Raven” or “Spongebob”, I would be watching shows like “Cake Boss” and “Ace of Cakes” and dream of one day having my own cake business.

During the summer of 2021, I had just failed my first business endeavor, a party planning business called Dream Decors by Tati. I was feeling discouraged and lost, but I knew I still wanted to have a business that I was passionate about.

In September of 2021, I had juststarted planning my babyshower and decided I wanted to save some money and make my own sweets. I ran to Publix and picked up some boxed cake mix and some chocolate and gave my first attempt at cakepops a go! I had so much fun creating them and truly enjoyed the entire process of making everything from start to finish. It really just felt like therapy to me. In that moment, I felt like the child inside me had reawoken. I rediscovered my love for baking and decorating, and realized that I could turn my passion into a successful business.

After making the sweets for my own baby shower, I had countless friends and family pushing me to start a treat making business! It was then that I decided to open Tati’s Bake Shop in April of 2022. I was a new mom, working a regular 9-5 job, and then baking and decorating treats on the weekends. It was a lot of work, but it was also so rewarding. I loved being able to create something beautiful and delicious that would bring people joy.

I started out by making cakesicles, but I quickly realized that I wanted to offer a large variety of desserts so I could cater to anyone and everyone! And cakes were at the top of my list. Once I started offering custom cakes, it really allowed me to tap into my creativity. I started experimenting with different flavors and decorations, and I soon developed a signature style.

My business has grown steadily and organically since I started it. I now have a loyal customer base, and I’m constantly getting new orders. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have my own business and to be able to do something that I love.

I think the reason my business has been successful is because I’m passionate about what I do. I love baking and decorating cakes, and it shows in my work. I’m also always willing to go the extra mile for my customers. I want them to have a cake that is not only beautiful, but also delicious.

I’m excited to see what the future holds for Tati’s Bake Shop. I plan to continue to grow my business and offer even more unique and creative cakes. I also want to start teaching cake decorating classes so that I can share my passion with others.

I never thought I would have a business where I could be my own boss, but I’m so glad that I took the leap. It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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.

Growing up, I had always been fascinated with the science of baking and the art of cake decorating- I remember having a composition notebook that I would fill with sketches of tall extravagant wedding cakes. I also am 100% guilty of owning an Easy Bake Oven and trying to making crazy desserts with what I had. Baking was a very obvious passion for me from very early on, but one that I feel like I suppressed a lot.

My grandparents are immigrants from Colombia, so both my parents were raised to work hard in school, go to college, get a corporate job, and work up the corporate ladder to make a good living. And my parents did just that. Although both my parents were making a great living working for the companies they were employed by, the “corporate life” just wasn’t the life I had picture for myself. But it was what I was taught worked, so I went with it.

I worked countless jobs, working my way up the ladder, making salary- honestly making good money. But I was miserable. I felt lost in life. I was dedicating 150% myself to a job that I felt didn’t really value me. It wasn’t until I had my daughter that I felt I needed to something of my own. A job where I could be my own boss and make my own schedule so that I could spend as much time with my daughter as possible. I also needed an outlet after I become a mom- something just for me. I reignited my love for baking and Tati’s Bake Shop was born.

Tati’s Bake Shop is a Latinx woman-owned home-based bakery that makes cakes and sweet treats for all of life’s little celebrations. Our specialty lies in our vintage-style cakes, with a particular fondness for heart-shaped designs. What I feel truly sets us apart is our unwavering attention to detail. Every sprinkle, swirl, and stroke is a testament to the care and passion poured into our creations. We believe that the little things matter, and it’s those meticulous final touches that make all the difference.

I am honestly so proud of my brand and how far this whole little business has come. From making chocolate covered pretzels in my mom’s house to making tall tiered cakes for weddings, it’s been wild ride! I never imagined I would be getting booked out every month or have amazing opportunities, like to being able to make cakes for clients like Lionel Richie or Earth, Wind, & Fire. I feel like this is just the beginning and I am so ready for what’s to come!

The main takeaway I want anyone who comes across my business to know is that Tati’s Bake Shop isn’t just a bakery; it’s a piece of me. I’ve put in not just money and time, but a ton of heart to make it truly reflective of who I am. So, when you choose us, you’re not just getting a cake – you’re getting a slice of my story and a whole lot of love.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Running Tati’s Bake Shop has been an incredibly rewarding journey, one that has been fueled by our strong commitment to maintaining genuine connections with our clients and nurturing brand loyalty. As a small business that flourished organically on Instagram and through word of mouth, our loyal customer base is at the heart of everything we do.

Personalization has been the cornerstone of our client relationships. Every order, whether big or small, is an opportunity for us to create something special that resonates with our clients’ preferences and personalities. I’ve found that taking the time to engage with our customers, asking about their preferences, and listening to their stories has made a significant difference. This personal touch not only helps us design cakes that align with their desires but also strengthens the emotional connection between our brand and our clients, which ultimately keeps them coming back!

Communication is another vital element in maintaining these connections. We keep an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where our journey began. Sharing behind-the-scenes moments, sneak peeks of upcoming treats, and interacting with our clients’ comments and messages has allowed us to bridge the gap between the digital world and the real relationships we’ve built. Regular communication helps us stay top-of-mind and showcases our dedication to delivering consistent value.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of fostering brand loyalty at Tati’s Bake Shop is our unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations. We take each order as an opportunity to go above and beyond, surprising our clients with little touches that showcase our genuine appreciation for their loyalty. Little gold candles for cake orders, unexpected complimentary treats, and even personalized packaging have become our signature ways of expressing gratitude. These small gestures create lasting impressions that not only solidify our clients’ loyalty but also inspire them to share their positive experiences with others.

In the end, the success of Tati’s Bake Shop isn’t solely measured in sales or numbers; it’s the relationships we’ve cultivated and the bonds we’ve formed with our clients that truly define our journey.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Switching gears from my regular job to diving headfirst into cake making was honestly one of the scariest choices I’ve ever had to make. There were definitely some ups and downs along the way, but now that I look back, I’m seriously glad I took that leap.

Starting out with cakes on the side was cool, but as things started picking up, it got crazy trying to balance my job, my cake hustle, and being a mom. I kept at it for a few months, but it was clear that this juggling act wasn’t sustainable. Something had to give. So, I made a gutsy move and quit my job, no backup plan in sight.

Those first three months after the big jump were a real challenge, especially when that first payday didn’t roll around. But after that initial rocky phase, things started falling into place. It was like the universe was giving me a nod, and my cake business just took off like a rocket.

When it comes to the growth of my business, there’s one strategy that has truly been a game-changer: maintaining a consistent online presence. It might sound simple, but trust me, posting content on the regular and staying engaged with my awesome followers and clients has made all the difference. It’s like nurturing a digital garden that keeps on giving.

And let’s get real for a minute – you wouldn’t believe the kind of impact a couple of those viral TikToks or reels can have. I mean, we’re talking about the potential to skyrocket your order list practically overnight. It’s both exhilarating and a bit surreal to watch your creations go from a screen to people’s tables, all thanks to a catchy video.

But let’s not paint this journey as a cake walk (pun totally intended). There were definitely times when the going got tough, especially during those first few nail-biting months after I took the plunge into full-time cake making. Seeing that familiar payday disappear and stepping into the unknown was like riding an emotional rollercoaster. Yet, those challenging moments taught me more than any business course ever could. They instilled in me the resilience needed to weather uncertainty and come out stronger on the other side.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tatisbakeshop.com
• Instagram: @tatisbakeshop
• Other: Tiktok- @tatisbakeshop

Image Credits
Tiffany Garcia from Chanel Photography