Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Lopez.
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started baking cakes as a hobby for my kids and family members. I was going to school full time as a history major and just needed a creative outlet. I didn’t grow up baking or never did I dream of owning my own bakery or anything like that-I just kind of fell into it. We ended up moving from South Florida to the Tampa area so I could attend USF. I was going to school and baking on the side for a few clients and then wound up pregnant with my fourth child. I had to decide then and there if I was going to continue to grow my cake business or focus on School because It was just too much with four kids! Anyway, I decided to see where this entrepreneurial venture would take me, and let’s say I was blown away! Word got out to my little town of Apollo Beach, and I got busier and busier. Eventually, I decided to niche down to primarily wedding cakes, and from then on, it has been non-stop. I would say I am a bit of an underdog because I am a cottage baker. I was just named one of the top 5 wedding bakeries in Tampa by a major news network and am so humbled because the other bakeries have teams of people, and for me, it’s just me! I have gained recognition from a very well-known cake magazine and have been promoted to their Wedding cake business columnist. I also teach classes on the side to local bakers who want to hone in on their skills.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can’t say that I have had any major setbacks besides the occasional pandemic. LOL, I’d say my biggest challenges are those that come with being a solo entrepreneur. This is a daily struggle for me, and I don’t see anything changing in the near future. Most business owners know how much time goes into building a business and a brand. If you are the only one doing it, then you wear many, many hats. For me, there is baking, decorating, delivering, emailing, consultations, organizing, follow-ups, networking, social media, and so much more. My schedule has to be planned out precisely, and if something changes (kids get sick, school play, spring break), it gets a little stressful. I have to find babysitters when I have a delivery and my husband is working, and there have been many, many nights where I don’t get to bed until 3 or 4 am, sometimes with a pick up at 8 am.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make high-end wedding cakes. I work mostly with fondant because it is just such a beautiful medium, and the taste and texture have come a long way over the years, so my clients tend to love it. I am so proud to be a preferred vendor to over two dozen venues in the Tampa Bay area. This means that they have used me and trust me to deliver a stellar product to their couples. What sets me apart from other bakers in the area is my attention to detail and my ability to create Pinterest-worthy cakes. It’s hard to put into words the difference that having perfectly level tiers, smooth fondant, perfectly placed details has on the overall presentation of a cake. Another skill that sets me apart is my ability to make beautiful sugar flowers that are 100% food safe for cakes. I make these petals by petal and customize a flower to be any color and season. Not very many bakers have the skill set to make sugar flowers, and even fewer can make them look real.
Any big plans?
I have plans for my own Wedding cake studio, but I cannot elaborate on that because so many things are up in the air.
Pricing:
- Private Classes $250
- Dessert Bars-$350+
Contact Info:
- Email: emily@tampabaycakecompany.com
- Website: www.tampabaycakecompany.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tampabaycakecompany
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tampabaycakecompany
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@imakeweddingcakes
Image Credits
Blak and Tammy Photography, Amanda Zabrocki Photography, Stephanie Lanni Photography, Lifelong Photography Studio,
