We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruthi Hutson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruthi, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As with most bakers, I started taking orders while still working a full-time traditional weekday job. That initial juggle of what I saw as my real job, my side hustle and home life felt like so much initially. But after you find your rhythm, everything balances out. And then you get another something to juggle thrown into the mix and you up your game and, again, find the balance. Over and over. I think that is true for everyone in life, but especially the life of a working mother and/or wedding vendor in 2020. It’s been a wild ride this year for everyone & I think we have seen an influx of mental health awareness & self care appreciation because of it. Remembering your “why” for your business is super important to me, coupled with learning to say no. A small business owner does and should hustle, but not to the point of breaking or letting their family or mental health suffer. Setting boundaries for communication with clients, what it means for you to be fully booked, are you too busy to still love doing what you do…these are all on-going work/life balances that I’m fine tuning. But, how blessed am I that a business is doing so well in 2020 that I have to set limits?! 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love buttercream. Specifically, I love Italian Meringue Buttercream. It’s a less sweet and more creamy buttercream that decorates cake like a dream. I don’t work with fondant, which isn’t unheard of in the wedding industry, but it is a bit more rare. I love love love playing with palette knife flowers, buttercream florals, and textured buttercream. We’ve all heard it said that wedding cake with either pretty or tastes good. But, wow! it should absolutely be both! I think the point you reach, in a creative job, where you are beginning to create your own designs, is a really really fun place to be. I am sketching wedding cakes more and more & doing fewer recreations. I LOVE that. My days are often baking and buttercream making & the real fun of decorating starts after bedtime. That feels like peaceful me time. It’s great. I’m incredibly appreciative of all kinds of projects, but bring me your bold, artsy, floral cakes & I’ll do you proud!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My days of out on the town fun are pretty minimal at this point, even without the excuse of 2020. I’m typically very very happy with a quiet night in. But, if I got to plan a fun girls day or trip or got to get out on the town with my husband for the ever elusive and/or mythical date night, I DO have a to list of places I’d like to go & it should be no surprise that they involve food or coffee. La Casita Bakeshop in Richardson, Duino Coffee (is my coffee shop of choice) in McKinney, for shopping Me and Mrs Jones Boutique and Ettiene Market on the square in McKinney (honestly you could just do a whole day on the square and love life). I’ve been really wanting to go to Mexican Bar Company in Plano because the food looks sooo good. For more of an overnight feel I would do Honaker House in Farmersville and just lounge about at all the lovely food opportunities within walking distance. I hardly sit down during the day and am cooking and baking for other people most of that time, so my version of fun is to do nothing in a very yummy, calm way.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband deserves a lot of credit. He is very patient with the craziness that is often my kitchen and a (very) pragmatic taste tester. Both our families have been incredibly supportive & my mother-in-law gave me my first cake spatula and tip set, not to mention the serious hours of babysitting she has logged. The friends who had me to their wedding cakes getting started, definitely took a leap of faith. And my dear friends Ella, Kelly & Kira are weekly cheerleaders. My kids naptime (when it happens) also deserves a lot of credit.

Website: ruthihutsoncakes.com
Instagram: ruthihutsoncakes
Facebook: ruthihutsoncakes
Other: ruthihutsoncakes@gmail.com

Image Credits
Heather Buckley Photography (Black Cake), HM Photography & Design (Terracotta Cake) all other photos are mine. They have given permission for these to be shared, if properly credited.

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