NEWS RELEASE
JEANNETTE'S CUSTOM CAKES
***************************** Local entrepreneur aims to become Sault Ste. Marie’s cake ace
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (January 13) - Jeannette Orazietti was able to take a bitter life event and turn it into something sweet.
When her employment contract wasn’t renewed in 2009, the graphic artist took her love of design to the world of icing and fondant, founding an at-home business, Jeannette’s Custom Cakes, which is now ready for its official public launch.
To celebrate going public, Jeannette’s Custom Cakes is offering a February special with discounts on Valentine’s Day cakes.
A website profiling the business and showcasing Orazietti’s latest handiwork has also been launched.
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Orazietti is a graduate of Sault College’s Graphic Design program.
In late 2008 she decided to explore turning a growing love of baking and cake decoration into a possible home-business.
Aside from a handful of introductory lessons, Orazietti’s cake design and decoration abilities have been almost exclusively self-taught.
“I’ve found many of the skills I developed as a graphic designer to have been transferable to cake design,” says Orazietti. “Obviously there was a bit of a learning curve. Fortunately, I was able to start out taking orders from family and close friends, so that removed some of the initial pressure.”
What began as a hobby soon became a viable new career.
During peak periods, Orazietti finds herself filling orders for as many as ten cakes per week.
As might be expected, demand is highest for birthday and wedding cakes; however requests for cakes for other events are becoming more frequent.
Baptisms, graduations, anniversaries and other milestone events are popular occasions.
”What’s rewarding to me is being able to work with clients and finding out what sort of cake will really enhance their event,” says Orazietti. “It’s exciting to be a part of a customer’s life for an important occasion. The goal of my work is to help create lasting and positive memories for these special times.”
The growth of Orazietti’s business was fuelled by word-of-mouth and through the enthusiastic recommendations of happy customers.
Facebook was also an important tool in getting word out.
The Jeannette’s Custom Cakes group at last count has swelled to close to 600 members.
A growing appreciation for customized cake design may have also helped foster awareness of Orazietti’s work.
Cake decorating has been a popular pastime in North America for the last several decades.
Recently, there’s been an upswing in interest fueled in part by TV programs such as Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes and Food Network Challenge.
For now, Orazietti plans to remain a one-woman operation with a tight focus on cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
However, with a business plan in place and growth opportunities being examined, she is still keeping one eye turned towards the future.
A possible storefront and the addition of other employees are part of the long-term vision.
To learn more about Jeannette’s Custom Cakes and to view a photo gallery of recent creations, please the website.
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