Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscila Leal-Arizpe.
Hi Priscila, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started baking 13 years ago. When I was 14, I loved watching the food channel, but my favorite show that I would never miss would be Cake Boss. I was so intrigued with how every cake was made to the point that I wanted to try and create cakes like that! I knew it wouldn’t be easy, so I started with just making my then-best friend’s birthday cake; although it didn’t come out of the pan, it was a step forward! Once I got to high school I began experimenting more and began selling cakeballs at school andit was going so well for me that I ventured out and decided to create my first baking business “Zilla’s Bakery” where I specialized in cake balls, treats, and custom cakes. At that point, I was taking all kind of orders just to get my name out there; I spent 4 years experimenting my art, going to the library and reading books, looking at information online, and learning from trial and error. I began taking more serious work for anniversaries, cakes to promote Disney and Pixar new premier movies that were seen on TV, and even had my FIRST wedding cake! By the age of 18, I decided to take my baking a little more seriously and rename my business to “Dolce Vita Bakery.” As I got into college my baking business helped me pay for school as I was studying to be a physical therapist. At that time, I met my now spouse and when I told him I made cakes, he was BLOWN away by my work, he would insist as to why I don’t take my work seriously and why I didn’t pursue my art in cake making, and that’s when I took my leap of faith- I quit my job, I stopped applying for graduate school and I secretly just worked on my cakes without letting my parents know what I had done! Since then, I moved away from my parents, and I was able to fully expand my artistry in cakes. I began to find my style and my liking for cakes to a point where I rebranded the image of my bakery to “Dolce Vita Bakery LLC” and now specialize in modern contemporary wedding cakes and big events! It hasn’t been an easy ride, but it’s been so worth it being able to see MY personal style of cakes accepted and be able to see that art in such special events!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur is never smooth sailing, the truth is not EVERYONE who you think is going to support will support. And you have to accept that and learn to respect and value your own work and lift yourself up. Another struggle that I had and I’m still dealing with is having my style of art be accepted. My cakes are not your typical vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a top cake designer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I specialize mainly in wedding cakes and big event cakes. I also have a delicious range of desserts to pair with any cake. What I am most proud of is what sets me apart from others- my style of design for my cakes. I make designs that are mainly abstract and resemble very modern contemporary techniques and designs. I actually created our Aquarena cake which is our turquoise wedding cake with inserted aquariums in the cake!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be true to yourself. Nowadays there are so many trends going on and we fall into the trap of having to fall into the trends of the year. I’ve learned that it’s best to be true to yourself; after all, you are wanting clients to come to you for your style, your work of art, not because you are the cheapest option or because you make the same trending cake.
Pricing:
- $600- starting price for bespoke design wedding cake 100 servings
- $300- minimum price for big event cakes
- $400- minimum price for wedding cakes
- $70- base price for celebration cakes
Contact Info:
- Website: Dvbakery.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvbakery
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DVCake
Image Credits
Sky visuals LLC
