Welcome to Mompreneur Monday, where we introduce you to Mom-Based businesses in Lake County.
Today, we are meeting Heather Socie, owner of Kaylie Cakes. Heather bakes amazingly creative cakes for any occasion. Heather’s business is based out of her Libertyville home were she not only takes care of her two young children but also runs “Libertyville Moms.” A group of moms in the area that get together with the kids for playdates at various locations and mom night outs!
What was the catalyst that started your business?
I started baking with my mother as a young girl. My mom attended a Wilton Baking class when she was young and loved to create and bake amazing cakes for me when I was a child. As I got older I found myself baking over 110 hours during the holidays for family and friends. I love baking and loved how my mom made our birthdays special for us with her baking. I wanted to give that to my kids as well.
How difficult was it to get your business started?
My love of baking slowly turned into the business as I started to bake cakes in the beginning for co-workers at my husband’s work. It was hard at first to start a business in the area because we had moved here and did not know too many people yet. My cakes spread through word of mouth and business began to pick up as friends of friends began to submit cake request.
What do you do to recharge?
I knit and read. Sometimes the grandparents take the kids so we have a chance to unwind.
What was your inspiration?
My mother. Baking with her growing up through the holidays together. I get excited to pass this tradition on with my daughter.
What do you find the most challenging in balancing out motherhood and your business?
Time. It can take up to 30 plus hours to build the cake. It all depends on how detailed the cake is. Characters on cakes need a lot of detail and that detail takes a careful, steady hand, and a lot of time. I usually start working on a cake after 9pm and can easily work on the cake until the crack of dawn.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the customers face when they come to pick the cake up. Especially when the cake is made for a child and the parent brings their child with. I love seeing the excitement and delight on the kids faces when they get a first look at the cake.
What is the most important thing you would like our readers to know about Kaylie Cakes?
My number 1 goal is to make their vision come to life! I love getting the customers ideas and being to create it! I love my customers to be hands on through out the process because I feel good communication between myself and the customer is very important.
Heather is giving away and 8″ Cake or 24 Cupcakes, Winners Choice!
Connect with Kaylie Cakes:
Kaylie Cakes on Facebook
Would love a Thomas cake for my soon to be 2 year olds birthday
We purchased a cake from Heather for our son’s birthday and everyone including my two year old love the cake! Not just the way it look but the taste was amazing! Thanks Heather.
Heather makes the most amazing cakes! Every detail is perfect and all the cakes are made with love.
Don’t you need a license to sell cakes from your home?
Heather is very creative and her cakes are amazing!
Your cakes and cupcakes look amazing! Such detail and talent!
wish she can make cake from scratch! hated the cake we order, it was a box cake mix and I guess she added some pudding mix to it.