Happy Wednesday, Penny Darlings!
Preston and I have had a very good and VERY busy week! He opened a show this week, is rehearsing a second show, I’m writing a book, and working constantly, but we always make a point to snuggle!
This week Preston and I went to Ady Cakes in West Reading and got a chance to have a MAGICAL tea party, it’s almost unbelievable how breathtaking she made it! Keep reading! Your Pinterest heart is going to be dripping with envy!
Let me just end with the boring stuff so we can get to the goods! Ha! Check me out on Instagram here! I also have a selling Instagram page where I sell some of my old clothes/styles so that I don’t drown in my own wardrobe. I just listed a few new things – so check that out!
BUT ANYWAY: ON TO THE CONTENT OF THE DAY, FRIENDS!
ADY CAKES IN WEST READING
Ady Cakes is a small (and very pink!) custom cake and cupcake shop located in West Reading in my hometown!
Ady makes everything in house, including custom macarons (18 flavors, yum), custom cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, brownies, and more! Ady is a totally energetic, smiley, bubbly, and lovely woman who always welcomes you to her shop! She emits so much warmth and kindess! And her food is even freaking better!
AND ADY WON CUPCAKE WARS! Way cool, I know!
I’ve done some posts with Ady before, one for Valentine’s and one for Christmas!
This time, when Ady and I started scheming for something fun to do, she said, “I want to do a tea party with a pink tutu.” And much like everything else in her life, Ady made it happen!
Inspired by Pinterest, Ady set to work making the perfect tea party! She make the floral valence herself! (and she was so modest about it!) but it’s the PERFECT spring addition to her shop.
Then Ady set up our tea party with all types of magical and whimsical like those unicorn cookies, the Pink Champagne cake pops, the lavender macarons, mini cupcakes, and the FROSTING on that cake is rainbow perfect.
My favorite part is the teapot pouring flowers out on top of the cupcake tower. I seriously had to narrow it down because I liked OVER 90 photos; sometimes I only like 15 from a photoshoot – but NINETY of these were too gorgeous – I had to weed it out a bit.
I find her to be the absolute #BOSSBABE inspo. If Ady tells you she has an idea, she will MAKE IT HAPPEN! As an aspiring #BossBabe – I wanted to interview Ady. So this week, I interviewed her to a bit about her story and her advice to all aspiring entrepreneurs!
Tell me a little bit about you!
Ady: Hello! I’m Ady Miriello. I’m a resident of Lancaster County and I own Ady Cakes (and I’m Ady!) which is located in West Reading, Berks County. I started my company in 2007 after leaving my corporate job. My business specializes in Custom Cakes, Cupcakes, French Macarons, Sugar Cookies & Cake Pops.
What led you to baking?
Ady: When it comes to baking I’m truly a late bloomer, I never baked as a child and it wasn’t something I was interested in until much later in life.
I started baking mostly out of curiosity. I wanted to see if I could bake a cake! I’m a self- taught baker. Everything I’ve learned about cake decorating, I’ve learned through lots of practice and trial and error!
I never even took a cooking class.My educational background is in Engineering; Industrial Engineering to be exact. It comes in handy in the daily operation of my business; from stream-lining processes, to quality control, to planning, my engineering degree has been put to use more that you could imagine.
What was your Cupcake Wars Experience like?
Ady: It was crazy! I look back on it and I’m say, “Wow! Did I really do that?!”. The whole process and the competition was unreal and very stressful but I gained a tremendous amount of experience from it.
I’ve always been a confidence person so I never thought there was a chance of me losing. I always say that you have to be your own biggest cheerleader, I kept telling myself, “You’ve got this!, you’re so gonna win!” Maybe I was too confident! Ha! But it worked!
What made you decide to open your own shop?
Ady: I was truly burned out the corporate world. I felt like there was so much more I could offer. I wanted to use my creativity so I started baking. Just like that; out of the blue. I loved it.
Then I discovered cake decorating and I was instantly hooked. I just love how you can merge art and food into one thing and enjoy it with all your senses.
Shortly after my baking journey started I knew that’s what I wanted to do so I immediately registered my business name and started my corporation.
Is there any particular customer/design that was special to you?
I think any customer that appreciates the value of what I do is my favorite customer, even if they just buy a $2 macaron!
Just listening to someone saying my cupcakes or macarons are delicious right after tasting them for the first time is sheer music to my ears. Or the repeated customers that have been coming back since I started, it means the world to me.
I’ve done cakes for children’s events and those children have grown up and they’re now calling me to do their wedding cake! Insane! Sometimes I have couples that I’ve done their wedding cakes and they come back for their baby shower and then 1st birthday of their kids and every milestone! It’s so special.
We put our heart and souls on each cake, every design is special to me, even the kooky ones, and there’s definitely been some kooky ones!
Do you have any advice for young female entrepreneurs?
I see some many young girls nowadays so unsure of what they want in life. There’s so much pressure and so much comparison and expectations. It’s overwhelming. I always had a goal and I always had a plan; when I was younger I was always planning my next move. It’s so important to be able to set goals that you can see yourself accomplish.
Working on your self-love is SO incredibly important, loving yourself, being your own best friend and cheerleader, as silly as it sounds, it encourages self-confidence, and self-confidence makes you more gusty.
I think investing on your education or working on a skill you’re good at and cultivating your strengths can make the path to entrepreneurship much easier. Don’t expect anything to be handed to you: money, a job, a business; nothing will be handed to you. The simple fact is; people are right. Nobody owes you anything. Put in the hours, do the work, put in the effort and things will eventually fall into place. Hard work pays off.
Another thing I’ve seen and experienced in the world of entrepreneurship is how ruthless and cut throat business owners can be. There’s simply no need, there’s plenty for everyone. I’ve seen so many women-owned businesses in the area that spent time putting down other shop owners, instead of focusing on making their work the best. They didn’t want to support the community and the community bit back. Seven dessert shops have come and go in the twelve years I’ve had my shop. But I’m still standing. Kindness and community can go a long way.
Be authentic. Be nice. Be cordial. Be professional. Be driven.
I loved getting to chat with Ady about her journey as a small business owner! She is a total encapsulation of kill ’em with kindness! As an aspiring full-time-business-bad-ass, I loved getting to interview someone who is doing it and rocking it!
Bonus: I love supporting women-owned, small, and local businesses!
Double bonus: her sweeeeet treats are TOTALLY perfect!
And if you’re not in Reading, but are nearby – this place is TOTALLY worth the drive! Snack now, thank me later!
Thank you, Ady Cakes for hosting Preston and I and letting us get a bite of everything!
SOCIALS
Check out her website
Check out her Facebook page
Check out her Instagram page
Check out her ordering page
And as I’ve been on about, ALL YEAR LONG: Shopping small, shopping local, shop makers and creators, all of that – it is IMPORTANT!
*this post is sponsored by Ady’s Cakes – however all thoughts and opinions are my own*
SO HERE’S THE “END OF BLOG” SPIEL!
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Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!
How Very,
Abby
Penny Darling 