Meet Samantha Cutler | Baker Extraordinare

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

Hi Samantha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Originally I just loved baking and making cakes. My mother made character cakes for all of our birthdays and so of course I learned from her. When she had health issues I took over the task, but my friends were jealous and wanted cool cakes too so I started making cakes for them. Eventually I had a very expensive hobby which was not tenable so I told people I wouldn’t keep being able to do it. Their response was you should sell them since they are awesome. Wish they’d told me sooner! So we coined the name and started taking orders here and there, but really it was a glorified hobby because our paid cakes sort of paid for all the free ones we did. However, after college my dad called me to tell me mom was about to cancel on an order she’d taken because she was sick. I was appalled despite not having heard about the order till now. I told her to not let her make that call, gathered all the information on it, rushed to the store for supplies and ingredients since I had just moved out recently so didn’t have anything cake related in my apartment, and stayed up all night to create the order and got it to him just in time. After that I realized it wasn’t just a hobby for me and that I wanted to get serious about the business so I started working to build my clientele and skills. I used all my saved money from my random hobby sales to launch the business which has been debt free from day one. I just make due with what I have until I got paid enough to invest in better equipment or tools. So it was a slow start, but it’s been healthy and sustainable.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I haven’t taken a bunch of classes. I did learn a lot when I was working for another bakery at one time, various tips and tricks that makes things easier, but most of the time I’m self taught. I try various things till I get what I’m looking for.
Mostly I’ve let God lead me and He’s taken me on a wild ride none of which has been easy. I was home based for years and then my storefront dropped in my lap right when I didn’t want one since I had an under 2yr old and it was so convenient to work just a room away from home and everything she needed. However, he tore down every roadblock I found or put in my way so I lost that argument and ended up in a storefront just before covid which had it’s own challenges, but I just trusted His plan and despite things cancelled and pushed back we stayed in the black that year. Over the years I’ve learned to do what I can to the best of my ability and trust God for the rest. I think it’s also been critical how much I care about my clients. My goal has always been to help them find what they need whether it’s me or someone else. I am always looking for referrals for people that specialize in what I do not or might be able to handle a faster turn around then me so I never have to tell my clients sorry, good luck, but can tell them to try so and so. I also don’t try to make my cake quotes the most expensive route, but try to figure out exactly what the client is looking for and if anything I down sell the order by telling them the most cost effective route they could do which doesn’t seem like the best business practice I’m sure. However, I do not pay for advertising, but grow by word of mouth and once I get a client I tend to keep them and even the clients that say I’m out of budget like me so much they plan to tell others about me/remember me whrn their budget is larger. My regulars are more than just customers because I really am interested in their lives and they often chat with me and love seeing the kiddos when they come by. I actually teared up this last Friday because since I’ve been partially out on maternity leave with my new little punk I haven’t been able to attend my farmer’s market in Robson Ranch, but I finally made it back this month and got to see my regulars Friday. Even though it felt like Hades kitchen and I didn’t make amazing sales it was a great day because I got to see all these people I care about and had missed. I guess what makes me stand out is I care and I just hope I keep getting to make people’s days a little sweeter!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It really depends on what they find interesting. Do they want to check out something different and Texan? Then I’d take them to check out the stockyards in Ft Worth (I have lots of family from Michigan so this is a common destination for us with visitors). We’d probably stay in a decent amount since my family and I are major hosters and cooks so we’re definitely making a brisket and playing some games together, but some of our favorite places to get out to for food is RGs Burgers or Brisket Burger if someone enjoys a good burger. The square in Denton is always a great place to walk around with LSA and the definitely required Beth Marie’s Ice cream parlor. Of course if I have any say at all I’m dragging them out dancing with me because I love to dance and before I had my son I never missed a Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday night out at Electric Cowboy in Lewisville and I often made it out to Cowboys Red River in Dallas on Thursdays! Really there is always something going on in this area so I often find some cool adventure on Facebook Events and drag my crew out to. I mean I found out this year Denton does a putt putt Masters event at a bunch of the little shops and bars around the square and got to go do 18 putt putt holes one Saturday morning which was a blast.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother who has encouraged and supported me in this endeavor from the beginning. When it was a hobby business we were partners and when I wanted to get official and serious she stepped down so it’s officially solely mine, but she has always been there backing me up, helping me with orders/kids, helping me bounce ideas/options, making sure I eat, and cheering me on. I often have to tell her to go home, that she doesn’t have to stay as late as me and that I’m the one that signed up for this craziness not her, but she hates to watch me struggle alone so she struggles beside me and I could never do it without her!

Website: https://HeavenlyTayloredSweets.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavenlytayloredsweets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heavenlytayloredsweets

Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/heavenly-taylored-sweets-denton-2

Image Credits
April Pinto Photography
Haley Lynne Photography