How it all began
I will always tell you to go for your dreams - anything truly is possible with focus, hard work, mistakes and wins along the way!
From a tiny kitchen to teaching & shops
2011 is where it started. Manchester roots, markets, big risks and a lot of cake.
2011
Blackley Beginnings
Little kitchen, big dreams2011 is when it all began. I started from a little kitchen in Blackley, Manchester. Look at the first cakes I ever made! I tried many ways to make money and promote my business. I had my first stalls on Smithfield Market and at Heaton Park - they gave me the confidence to keep going whilst learning along the way. I also ran Easter cupcake workshops, even at this early stage.
2012
Prestwich Move & First Hire
Space to growIn 2012 I moved to Prestwich, the kitchen was huge! It meant I had the space to take on my first employee, Soph. We're still great friends. While those times were hard, they were also exciting and fun! Word of mouth grew, I introduced wedding cakes and started to teach others who, like me, loved creating amazing cakes.
2013
Breakthroughs & Big Moments
Lexus, Key 103 & The FAIn 2013 things started to happen: the Lexus event, Key 103 with the Hairy Bikers and I made the FA’s 150th Anniversary cake. This was also the cake that changed my whole career, a life-size dress made the first week of moving into my first shop on Bury Old Road, Prestwich. I was featured in the local press and the cake was on stage at Intu Trafford Centre. Say YES and figure it out later, I'm proof that it works.
2014
First Proper Shop
Risk, grit and familyThen came my first proper real shop! I remember being told it was a £3000 deposit and I didn’t even have £30 at the time… The only way to afford it was to live above: two box rooms (1 adult & 2 kids). We have the funniest memories and this was our first Christmas there. I've had to take risks, without them my journey would look very different.
2015
Belief & Backing
Virgin StartUp Ambassador2015 is when I really started believing in myself. I had the shop for around six months before I could afford to open it. Virgin StartUp kindly loaned me £9k, made me an ambassador, I met Sir Richard and had lunch at his house!
2018
The Warehouse Leap
Scaling ProductionIn 2018 I opened my warehouse. Again it wasn't a decision that looked right on paper, but I knew I had to move to bigger premises to keep creating amazing cakes with my team. I actually own an industrial-size mixer & ovens - #lifegoals.
2019
Ramsbottom Boutique
Heart of the townIn 2019 my Ramsbottom shop opened: a little cake boutique in the heart of the town. I loved my time here and took so many learnings from it.
Future
What’s Next
Teach • Share • CreateTeaching, sharing, subscriptions and so much more to come. I still feel like I'm winging it but it's worked so far, so why change! My biggest piece of advice? Be you, do you, create your dream. Don't focus on others - take inspiration, that's when the magic happens. Zara xx
