Who Is Lady Berry Cupcakes?
Lady Berry is the CEO and founder of Lady Berry Cupcake Decorating School
If you have ever thought about running a cake business or are already running you own you might just relate to this blog post as I believe many of us go through the same doubts and feelings.
Over ten years ago I'd would never thought I would have travelled the world teaching the art of cupcake decorating. After all, I was constantly told I couldn’t do this or that due to being dyslexic. I had only ever wanted to be a primary school teacher but I just couldn’t get the grades. However my gut remained filled with such an intense passion for creativity, a love for helping others and teaching people I knew I had to find a way… and I did just that and now Im a Cupcake Decorating Teacher and I absolutely LOVE IT! It’s my absolute dream job and I created it! 🥰
How It Started:
The Beginning: A Dream
As most baking businesses do it all started in a little kitchen. armed with just mixer, a few basic ingredients, and a heart full of dreams. BUT I have to confess my first cupcakes were a disaster! Think rock cakes in a cupcake case lol I have never enjoyed the baking but I discovered fondant and thats where my experimentation with cupcake decorating began.
My cupcakes became more than just yummy treats. They became like miniature canvases of creativity, each one telling a little story. Friends and family encouraged me, often saying how my designs were so unique, they hadn’t ever seen anything like it, they brought them joy and they would were curious to learn how I made them.. Yet, the thought of teaching others seemed incredibly daunting, especially since traditional teaching methods didn’t align well with my dyslexia.
So in 2015 I mastered my Lady Berry Cupcake Recipe which has been enjoyed by 1000’s of my students now as it consistently creates fluffy, flat top delicious cupcakes every time! It’s a must ☺️ I then turned all my focus on truly mastering the decorating I remember being so proud of these little cupcakes and gifting them to anyone and everyone.
We all start somewhere! My cupcakes from 2015 and even a terrible wedding cake for my friend! Ughhh lol the state of that cake! 🫣 At the time I was so proud of it. My friend loved it, now Im so embarrassed looking at it lol a
Remember that when you start out and you see what everyone else is doing, you can often be convinced you have to do the same in order to succeed. Everyone I saw running a baking business was offering celebration cakes, cookies, cake pops, cupcakes etc. So I tried doing everything too, including buttercream! If you follow me on Instagram you will know Im really good at eating buttercream but awful at piping! 🤣 I tried making a 3 tiered cake for my parents wedding anniversary, a house cake. sculpted cakes with very little knowledge of how to even cover a cake in fondant! I still have no idea, I just didn’t enjoy it, big cakes were never my thing. and you know what THATS OK!
So after a year of trying my best to create everything for everyone I quickly came to the realisation my heart wasn’t in it and I couldn’t offer my customers the best. It was evident my passion was with cupcakes and designing cupcakes alone. So I made the decision to just focus on creating little works of art mastering my craft as a cupcake artist.
A handful of my cakes I created, they were basic and not up to standard for my clients. Moral of the story if you don’t enjoy something and you can’t offer your customers the best, change direction!
So Then How Did I Transit To Become A Cupcake Decorating Teacher?
By accident! Years working as a governess and a back ground in art physcoholghy it actually came quite naturally but still by accident. A friend was having a🎈 birthday party for her daughter and the entertainer cancelled on her last minute! Me being me said oh don’t worry I will pop over and teach them how to decorate some cupcakes. I loved it! Then a friend was getting married and as an activity I arranged to teach them some cheeky cupcakes… 💋🥂
From there my brain went into over drive with all of the ways I could teach and bring joy to people with the art of cupcake decorating. Teaching is rewarding yet very challenging dealing with a variety if people, its defiantly not for everyone. I know many own have considered teaching and failed or just not enjoyed it as you have to deal with a real mixture of people and tempremants. I personally enjoy it and am open to constantly learning.
How Did I Initially Get My Business Out There?
I started out with lots and lots of cake stalls, school fates, fayres and donations initially. y weekends were spent baking and standing in playgrounds and fields for a while. But it worked! I started to reach more and more of my ideal customers advertising in the right places and creating a marketing strategy.
A throw back to 8 years ago when I was fresh faced, clueless and full of energy! I tried everything to advertise and market my business. You have to put yourself out there and see what lands for your business.
Overcoming Doubts: The First Cupcake Class
So after swiftly discovering I didn’t enjoy the baking part yet loved the designing, decorating and teaching I decided to host my first cupcake decorating class. It was a small gathering in my living room with a few neighbors and their children. I remember feeling very anxious but as the class went on, something magical happened these fabulous smiles appeared on everyine’s faces and my students were so happy and pleased with their new skills along with their gorgeous cupcakes .. I was addicted!
Soon what started as a tiny hobby transformed into a local sensation. I rented a small space and officially launched my cupcake decorating school. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, there were many times when I doubted myself and my abilities but I think that’s natural! But as long as we are open to learning at every stage we can learn from our mistakes and thrive!
My students, young and old were flourishing, I just adore watching their confidence grow and their smiles, the joy and laughter in that room is job satisfaction and success to me. To date my youngest student has been 2 yrs old up to 86yrs old and it’s such a joy to watch everyone fall in love with the simple joys of decorating cupcakes.
Before long I found myself teaching fellow bakers as so many people love to bake but lacked the know how to decorate! That’s where they found me, to help them make more money in their own business with beautiful designs for all occasions and seasons that their customers would love and come back for again and again. It’s an absolute pleasure to help fellow small businesses flourish.
I enjoyed seeing others suceed, I took my 10years of experience and now mentor fellow small baking businesses to hep them thrive and reach their own ideal customers!
How It’s Going Now?:
Growing Pains: Expanding the Dream
I now teach weekly group classes, family classes. Large team building and corporate events. I have international students that I teach private tuition Mon-Fri. Teaching a range of wonderful cupcake decorating parties at the weekend.
Reaching New Heights: Teaching Around the World
As the years passed the Lady Berry Cupcake decorating school grew beyond my wildest dreams. I began receiving invitations to conduct workshops across the globe. From bustling cities to quaint villages, I found myself teaching diverse groups of students, each bringing their unique perspectives to the art of cupcake decorating. These experiences enriched my teaching methods and helped me develop an inclusive approach that resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds.
I taught in large cities around the world to tiny islands in the Maldives! It was an experience!
Embracing Technology: Online Classes
With the arrival on Covid I was forced to teach online. Reaching further audiences around the globe on Zoom and building my community with online parties and quizzes about baking!
This opened up even more possibilities. I launched a series of online video classes, allowing me to reach students who couldn’t attend in person and allowing students to learn at their own pace. The Online Cupcake School also provided a space bakers could learn the art of fondant to create designs to sell to their own customers. A place people could take cupcake classes with their friends and children as a fun activity to enjoy. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and it reinforced my belief that everyone, regardless of their challenges, could achieve great things with the right support and encouragement. 🧁You too could learn with the Online Lady Berry Cupcake School.
What is Lady Berry Cupcakes Biggest Achievement?:
When you just keep pushing the boundaries and challenging you find yourself in all kinds of places. I recorded podcasts with some wonderful people, I was interviewed on the radio.
I regularly teach on stage at a variety of cake shows, which I absolutely love as it gives me a chance to meet you all.
I have taught workshops at the BBC for groups of 50. In 2024 I was invited onto ITV to teach in the Katie Piper Breakfast Show. which was so far out of my comfort zone but I pulled up my big girl pants and said yes! …and it was an amazing experience!
From creating a job from no where, a job I absolutely love to finding myself on TV, it’s been a journey, a fabulous journey. One that I actually feel rather proud of. Im teaching every week and meeting amazing people from all around the world. 🥰
Mistakes and Regrets:
I wish I had the confidence at the beginning to go straight into what I loved doing rather than forcing myself to do what I thought I should be doing.
Doubting my capabilities because of being dyslexia
Allowing people to steal my images. designs and classes for too long at the beginning before calling them out and speaking publicly about it.
Believing I had to offer a wide variety of flavours at the beginning. When in fact offerings less choice can actually work better for you and our customers.
Referring to my business as ‘WE’ because I was embarrassed it was only me running the business! Be proud your self employed and running your empire!
Not taking my time with my pricing at the start and calculating everything correctly! This cost me dearly! Don’t be me!🫣 Learn here: ‘How To Price For Profit’
Other than that it’s been the HARDEST thing I have even done! To give up a 40hour a week job for a 80 hour a week job is bonkers lol but being your own boss and being the CEO is pretty awesome 🤩
I worked hard to build a wonderful community of bakers and cake decorators over on Instagram. Feel free to come and join us if your not already. I post regular tutorials and tips!
Come and Join The Community If Your Not Already!
How Can You Learn:
After exploring and playing with fondant for 10 years Lady Berry Cupcakes Decorating Classes & Parties is now known in the industry for adorable fondant designs that anyone around the world can learn through:
Now I focus on doing exactly what I Love which is designing adorable cupcakes and teaching others the art of cupcake decorating!
Full Circle: Giving Back
Yesterday’s family workshop was a poignant reminder of how far I’ve come. A parent’s comment about their dyslexic child resonated deeply with me. It was a moment of reflection and gratitude. I realised that my journey wasn’t just about teaching cupcake decorating; it was about inspiring others to overcome their challenges and pursue their passions. Helping others discovering their creative confidence and supporting fellow baking business learning fondant designs for their own businesses
A Note of Gratitude
To anyone out there who feels limited by their circumstances, I want you to know that your dreams are valid. My journey from a dyslexic baker to a global cupcake decorating teacher is proof that with passion, resilience, determination and a bit of creativity, anything is possible. Here’s to many more years of spreading joy, one cupcake at a time!
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Your support and belief in me have been the icing on the cake.
With gratitude,
Farley x
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