Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Starr-Hunter.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Claudia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Baking has always been in my blood! I could eat breath and sleep in sugar and flour. I never thought of making it my career, growing up it was just something I loved to do. My perspective changed my senior year of high school. I had every intention on becoming a nurse right up until I enrolled in a cooking and nutrition class for my final elective. It was one of the only classes I felt alive in, I participated the most, I actually gave 100% effort and I realized it was because I was passionate about what was being taught! Before the year was over, I changed my major from nursing to culinary arts and when I started college the next year, it felt like a dream to be doing exactly what I wanted! Baking is my happy place and baking for others, knowing that my cakes and desserts make their celebrations a success brings me joy!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has definitely not been smooth. There are nights I have cried, been in pain and almost given up. But, I’ve learned that’s all apart of running your own business. There will be trials and test and you will learn and grow and make mistakes and correct them. At the end of the day, it’s YOUR business.
Some of my struggles where definitely time management. There where times where I knew that I could have done several different elements of a cake days ahead of time but I would procrastinate until the day before and be up until 3 am perfecting my work only to get back up at 6 to start my day. Scheduling definitely played a part in correcting this type of behavior and things are much better now! It also helps to have a good assistant!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
DS Sweet Treats and Catering is a custom bakery specializing in cakes and desserts for all occasions. We are known for our liquor-infused treats and specialty cakes.
I am most proud of the fact that I am doing something that I’m passionate about and putting smiles on other peoples faces in the process. What sets us apart is that we don’t do a specific type of anything, we can do an elegant upscale cake or we can do your grandmother’s favorite Germain chocolate cake. We strive to have something sweet for every sweet tooth!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a little shy and I lacked confidence in myself. I was the chubby kid and I was very self-conscious about it. I was definitely a foodie I loved to eat at different places, I’ve had a very intricate pallet since I was a child. My love for food has brought me to where I am now and I’m still the chubby kid 😉!
As I got older, I gained more confidence in myself and embraced my different talents. I’ve always been an artsy person. I loved modeling, drawing, doing makeup and baking! I actually still love all the same things and I still do all of them!
Pricing:
- This is not my exhaustive price list, but rather a general overview of my prices for decorated party cakes and wedding cakes. This is also subject to change without notice: *$4.50 to $6.00 per serving minimum; very few exceptions. This includes buttercream and fondant cakes. *For tiered cakes, they generally start at $4.50 per serving for 2 tiers and the price increases per tier (by $.25 per tier, so a 4 tiered cake would be a minimum $5.00 per serving) and for difficulty/design. *I charge $15-$25 extra for 3-D sculptured toppers and sugar flowers or other intricate details *I charge $5.00 per serving and up for sculptured/carved/3-D cakes * Smash cakes are $20-$35 when ordered with a party cake, depends on size and design. The $20 cake is a single layer 6″ round that I torte and fill to make it about 3″ tall. Always buttercream with minimal decorations.
Contact Info:
- Website: dssweettreatsandcatering.com
- Phone: 2147130752
- Email: dssweettreatsandcatering@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/ds_sweet_treats_catering
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dssweettreatsandcatering/
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