It's really exciting to present our first guest blog post of 2012. Today we introduce our fabulous Simply Staffordshire member, Liz from Simply Scrumptious. We love to share our member blog posts with you so you can get to know local Staffordshire businesses really well! If you would like to join Simply Staffordshire and benefit from marketing, networking and knowledge sharing support, please get in touch through our website.
It’s a frosty February morning and the first signs of
spring are beginning to show. Springtime always symbolises a new start for me
and brings a certain optimism with the prospect of longer days and warmer
weather. This time, two years ago, I
decided to take a leap of faith and set up my own business. We had moved to the
lovely town of Eccleshall just over a year before and my life changed
dramatically in that time. I became a mum for the first time and although I was
loving spending time raising my son, felt I needed to find something new and
exciting to do that could fit around family life.
My new start was to setup Simply Scrumptious
Cupcakes. Even as a child, I loved nothing better than making cakes and
biscuits and even the 1980’s classic microwave sponge pudding (which I’m glad
to say doesn’t make it to our table anymore). My first part-time job was in a
bakery and although I took a detour career-wise, working for an advertising
agency, a bank and even a tractor manufacturer, baking has always been an
important part of my life. After a long chat with other mums due to return to
work from maternity leave, I realised was in a very fortunate position as I’d
be able to work from home and still spend lots of time with my toddler. The big
question became not shall I do it but how soon can I start? I began by baking cupcakes for a few friends’
birthday parties, catered my own 30th celebrations and then took the
big leap at Eccleshall Festival when I had a stall to gauge local reactions to
my cakes. I practically sold out!
I now bake delicate cupcake towers for weddings,
create themed cupcakes for children’s parties and have diversified into mini
and giant cupcakes and a selection of cakepops. It’s a wonderful business to be
in as I get to experiment with all sorts of new and exciting flavours and get
to meet lots of interesting people, each with a different need. No two orders
are the same, which keeps the job creative and exciting.
The trend in handmade and vintage products is
becoming more and more popular. I’m increasingly baking vintage-style cupcakes to be served for
afternoon tea at parties and weddings.
It’s certainly a style which evokes nostalgia and seems to be supported
by the resurgence for home baking. Shows like The Great British Bake Off
received 3.1 million viewers during the last series and I’ve started to receive
requests from customers for cupcake decorating classes. Most people can make a half decent fairy
cake, but need a little guidance (and glitter) to turn it into something truly
beautiful! Great ingredients, the right tools for the job and few secret tips
can create the recipe for success. Lo and behold, the first signs are spring
are here again and I’m launching my first class this month. I can’t wait!
If you’re interested in any of our cupcakes or
classes, please take a look at the website www.simplyscrumptiouscupcakes.co.uk
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