Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrica Bates.
Hi Terrica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Honestly, I got started on a total fluke. My brother has six kids (yes, six!), and birthday cakes were getting more and more expensive. So, me being the “best sister ever,” I decided to bake the cakes myself. That was about 10 or 11 years ago, and what started as me just trying to help out turned into something I absolutely fell in love with. The kids had fun picking their themes, and I had fun bringing their ideas to life.
Over time, the cakes got bigger, bolder, and more extravagant — which really helped me sharpen my skills. My family and friends were my biggest cheerleaders, and they encouraged me to start baking for others. And just like that, Terrica’s Tasty Treats was born!
When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m an Assistant Principal, which means my days are spent helping students and teachers grow, solve problems, and celebrate wins — kind of like baking, but with people instead of flour and sugar! Both roles let me pour into others, spark creativity, and make someone’s day a little brighter.
Since then, I’ve gone from simple birthday cakes to custom wedding cakes and specialty treats, and every step has been its own adventure. It’s definitely been a roller coaster ride, but one filled with sugar, sprinkles, and so much joy. And at the end of the day, my goal is simple: to bake people happy and fulfill hearts — whether that’s in the classroom or in the kitchen.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road—more like a bumpy one with lots of twists and turns! One of the biggest challenges has been managing customer expectations. The flavors, I know I can nail. But the scary part is making sure the design in their head matches what comes out of my oven. Sometimes it takes tweaking, adjusting, or even staying up until 3:00 a.m. to make sure I capture that one magical detail that will truly touch a customer’s heart.
I never promise to copy an “inspiration photo” exactly, because I want every cake to be unique to the person it’s made for. I’ll happily pull elements from their ideas and bring them into a design, but the end result is always something special and one-of-a-kind.
Another big challenge has been the business and marketing side. I do have a Bachelor’s degree in business, so I understand the nuts and bolts, but actually putting it all into action—especially marketing through social media—has been tricky. I’ve got pricing and structure down, but social media is a whole other world. Honestly, I’m still learning every single day. (I keep saying I need a college intern to handle my Instagram—applications welcome! 😂)
And of course, life itself has thrown some unexpected obstacles my way. Most recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer, which was a shock. Balancing treatments with running a business hasn’t been easy, but baking has become my therapy. Creating something sweet and joyful in the middle of tough days reminds me of why I started in the first place. It keeps me moving forward, and it’s also a way I get to pour love back into others, even when I’m going through my own fight.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I’m an Assistant Principal, and by night, I’m a baker — so you could say I’m in the business of growing minds and fulfilling hearts! I absolutely love working with kids and helping teachers grow. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being able to positively impact both staff and students — to help them see their potential, believe in themselves, and shine a little brighter.
On the baking side, I love that moment when someone opens their cake box and sees their vision come to life in sugar and buttercream. Being part of people’s most memorable moments — weddings, birthdays, celebrations — is an honor I never take for granted. I find my peace in the creative process, and I love the challenge of designing something that’s true to the customer but still speaks to who I am as a baker.
My journey with breast cancer has been another chapter that’s taught me so much about joy, purpose, and gratitude. It reminded me that we never really know what others are going through, so whenever I can bring happiness into someone’s day — whether through a kind word at school or a sweet treat from my kitchen — I’m fulfilling hearts in the best way I know how.
Whenever I take on a project — at school or in the kitchen — my first question is always, “Do I have creative freedom?” (And if not, I’m definitely asking for examples! 😂) I love learning the backstory behind what someone wants because it helps me create something that feels personal and meaningful.
If I had to pick what I specialize in, I’d say happiness. I want people to walk away smiling — whether they just finished a great lesson or a delicious cupcake! One of my favorite memories was from a vendor event when a man tried my cookie butter mini cakes and immediately started praise dancing right there at my booth. I even caught it on video! He ended up buying me out of every single one I had, and I’ll never forget the joy on his face.
If you ask people what I’m known for, they’d probably say flexibility and my buttercream. (Yes, that buttercream! 😂) Most people say buttercream is too sweet — until they try mine. It’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet, and I’m very proud of it if you can’t tell!
At the end of the day, whether I’m mentoring a student, planning a professional development, or designing a magical dessert table, I’m all in. I’m self-taught, committed, and constantly learning new techniques. Everything I do — in education and in baking — comes down to one mission: fulfilling hearts and baking people happy.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Man, starting out was rough — I didn’t know what I didn’t know! The best advice I can give to anyone just starting out in baking is to learn your state’s cottage laws and find a good mentor (or at least follow people who are doing what you want to do). One of my biggest inspirations is The Station Bakery out of Houston. Her name is Kortney, and she is absolutely amazing. I learned so much from her about the business side of things and how to simplify my processes. I was actually one of her first clients when she opened her mentor program, and I ten out of ten recommend her to anyone starting their baking journey.
My next piece of advice? Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on and speak life into you. The world is full of critics, and you don’t need that kind of energy. Even family — bless their hearts — can sometimes be the loudest “Negative Nancys” without meaning to. They worry about us failing, but what they don’t realize is that growth lives right in the middle of those failures. Every mistake, every cracked cake, every lesson learned makes you better.
So take the leap, give yourself grace, and don’t be afraid to start messy — because that’s where the magic begins.
Pricing:
- All cakes and treats are custom, so pricing varies depending on size, design, and level of detail — but I always do my best to work within most budgets.
- Custom desserts are handcrafted from scratch using high-quality ingredients, so they’ll always cost a bit more than what you’d find in a grocery store — but they’re also made just for you.
- Cupcakes: start at $3 each (with custom designs or fillings priced higher).
- Specialty treats like brownies, cookies, and chocolate-dipped items are also available for custom orders, gift boxes, and events.
- I occasionally offer seasonal pre-order boxes and pop-up specials, which are a fun, affordable way to try a variety of treats!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terricastastytreats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terricastastytreats
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terricastastytreats
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@terricastastytreats
