Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Cano.
Rachel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My mom always had me make cakes as a younger girl. She said I made them the best out of our family of six. When my son was about six, I asked him what kind of cake he wanted for your birthday. He said “a King Kong cake” then added “and I want you to make it”. I was a little shocked. I wasn’t making any cakes at that time. I purchased a Wilton Care Bear cake pan and used it to make a King Kong cake. From then on, I made all my kid’s cakes. It was fun and I enjoyed being creative. I soon started getting requests from family and friends to make cakes. I really didn’t make any money, I just enjoyed making cakes. As I continued to make cakes and got more experience and started charging for my time. When I was introducing to YouTube I really started learning new techniques and tips. I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t do. I was also working a fulltime job. There were several times where I was overwhelmed and quit taking cake orders and even told people that I wasn’t making cakes anymore.
However, every time I prayed about what God wanted me to do with my life, I would get several calls or messages about requesting cakes. If we ran into financial trouble, I would also get several requests for cakes. It happened so many times through prayer that I finally decided to submit to God’s will for my life. In 2017 I was working at a Lawyers Title for 6 hours then would get home and work another 4 to 6 hours during the week. I would then work 12 to 16 hours on the weekend to fulfill cake orders. My husband was always by my side to help me roll out fondant, make a batch of icing or wash dishes. Anything I asked of him, he did. When he couldn’t help, he would stay up with me and wouldn’t go to bed until I went to bed. He has been my biggest supporter through it all. I was so exhausted and focused on work that I rarely spent time with my family.
Not to mention, I was so disconnected from my husband and three kids. I knew I couldn’t go on like that. At this point I felt God was leading me to a new chapter in life. With my husband’s support I quit the title company in January of 2018 and started my own business working on cakes from home. I looked up all the requirements on the Texas Food Cottage Law and began a punch list to meeting those requirements. I rapidly went from having a cake hobby to a full-time cake business. I was able to work on my relationships with my husband and kids. I also started spending time with parents. I can now honor my parents the way God wants me too. Taking this big leap of faith to trust God has changed my life. I’m so grateful I made this choice. I’m happier than I have ever been. I can honestly say I love my life.
Has it been a smooth road?
Working two jobs was a huge struggle. Cake fails were obstacles I had to overcome and were also discouraging. There were times I quit because I felt like I couldn’t continue on the way I was living my life. Trying to manage two work schedules, family time and kids’ sports were obstacles too.
Please tell us about your business.
I make cakes for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations etc. I specialize in butter cream. Most of my cakes are covered in butter cream instead of fondant. Fondant is only used for decorations or at the client’s request. I would have to say what sets me apart from the rest is that I am very creative and a bit of a perfectionist. I can make designs with little to no practice. My creativity also allows me to create other stuff. I have several hobbies that have contributed to my family’s finances. My most recent hobby has been reclaiming designer purses to make masks.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I love about Dallas is that we have so many different cultures. When you go out, there are so many different things to choose from as far as food and entertainment. What I least like about Dallas is the traffic and the constant street construction.
Pricing:
- Sheet cakes and 2 layer cakes are $1.50-$2+tax per serving + design.
- Tiered cakes start at $3+tax per serving and go up to $5.50+tax per serving depending on design.
Contact Info:
- Address: 221 Sunset Drive
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/ilovecakesbyrachel/
- Phone: 4693352439
- Email: rachel@ilovecakes.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovecakesbyrachel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovecakesbyrachel/
Image Credit:
Clarissa Hernandez
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