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Amanda Tankey from Save Me Some Cake is a self-proclaimed “queenager”, proving it’s never too late to chase your creative spark! From a single 3D cake class to crafting incredible edible art (with a few power tools involved), Amanda’s journey is equal parts inspiring and entertaining. Amanda joyously shares with us how she balances a full-time career, late-night baking sessions, and her newfound love of edible printing.

1. Can you tell us about when you first realised you wanted to start your sweet treats business?

I started Save Me Some Cake in 2018, but honestly, I think the idea had been simmering for years. My parents ran a family grocery store in Canberra for over 16 years, so I grew up knowing exactly what running your own business looked like - long hours, lots of hard work, and the occasional free chocolate if you were lucky.

Fast forward to 2017, when a lovely friend asked me to bake treats to sell at their coffee bar. Around the same time, I spotted an ad for a 3D fox cake class with Sharon Wee - and that was it. I was hooked. The 3D course lit a spark that thankfully hasn’t gone out.

From there, I fell down the rabbit hole of sugar art and cake decorating, signing up for every class I could find. It turns out you can be a  “queenager” (that’s what I call myself, even though I’m closer to retirement age)  and still learn new tricks.

2. Starting and running a business can be a wild ride! What challenges have you faced while building your business, and how have you overcome them?

I still work full-time in the corporate world, so time management is everything for me. I only take on a limited number of cakes each month, but back in the early days, I learned that lesson the hard way.

There was one time I agreed to make a big, complex 3D cake that had to be delivered on a Friday morning. I was up at 3am finishing details, running on coffee and a lot of stress -  and then delivered it on my way to my 8:30am day job. It was pure chaos - impressive, but chaos!

Since then, I’ve learned the magic word: “no.” Well, a polite version of it anyway. Now I only take on what I know I can give 100% to. When I’m rested and organised, I do my best work - and my cakes (and sanity) thank me for it! 

3. What has starting and running your own business meant for you?

It’s definitely been a learning curve. I’ve had to pick up so many new skills along the way — business management, marketing, social media, and a whole lot of decorating techniques I didn’t even know existed when I started.

What I didn’t expect was how many hardware skills I’d need too. I’ve learned to use drills, heat guns, angle grinders, and pipe cutters — all in the name of cake. My tool kit could easily be mistaken for something out of a garage, not a kitchen.

The best part, though, is seeing the reaction when someone sees their custom cake for the first time. That squeal of surprise makes all the effort worthwhile.  

4. You purchased a new edible ink printer earlier this year; what motivated this decision? 

I’d been deliberating about buying an edible printer for what felt like forever - mostly asking myself the big questions: Would I actually use it? Could I justify the cost? And where on earth would I even put it?

After about 18 months of overthinking, I suddenly had a run of orders that all needed printed images, which I had to buy each time. That was my lightbulb moment. I figured if I was paying for prints anyway, I might as well bring the printing in-house. So I took the plunge.  Now it’s one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” purchases.  

5. Can you explain the advantages of incorporating edible images into your custom cake creations? 

Definitely, time and creativity are huge advantages. Being able to print my own images whenever I want has been a game-changer. Instead of spending ages cutting out fondant letters or having to order edible images,  I can just hit print and get on with decorating.

It’s also saved me more than once. I still remember running out of edible sheets at 9pm one night, mid-cake, of course. Normally, that would’ve been a full-blown disaster, but instead I just printed what I needed and kept going. Crisis averted.

Having my own printer has not only saved me time, it’s also opened up a lot more creative options. It gives me the flexibility to experiment and try new things on the spot, and that’s when the best ideas usually happen.

6. We're curious: what design gets your creative juices flowing, and why is it your favourite to work on?

I get the biggest creative buzz from 3D novelty cakes. I’ve been taking on more intricate designs lately, and honestly, that’s where I have the most fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love most cake styles, but there’s something especially satisfying about turning a lump of cake into, say, a shopping bag full of edible makeup, a 3D Baby Yoda, or a full-on Hobbit House from Lord of the Rings. It’s part baking, part sculpture, and a little bit of magic.

Then there are my sugar figurines, my absolute weakness. I love creating toppers out of modelling chocolate, modelling paste, and fondant. There’s this amazing sense of pride when you finish a wedding topper that looks just like the couple, knowing it’s technically edible… but they’ll probably keep it forever.

And with cookies, my edible printer has completely changed the game. It’s let me bring in designs that take them from cute to seriously impressive - the kind that make people say, “Wait, that’s a cookie?”

7. Have you received any wild or wacky image requests that still make you smile? Do tell!

Oh yes - I actually have some cupcake toppers printed with hilarious memes that I’ve never been brave enough to share on my business page. Let’s just say they’re more “family group chat” material than “public post.”

I draw the line at anything too rude or cheeky, though - that’s just not my style. I like to keep things clean and fun.

8. Looking back, what advice would you give to someone keen to purchase an edible ink printer for the first time?

If you’re comfortable using Canva or something similar, I’d say go for it, you’ll save yourself so much time. Just make sure you grab the cleaning supplies too. If you’re not printing every week, running a bit of cleaning fluid through the printer now and then keeps the nozzles happy (and saves you a world of frustration later).

I’ve had a few minor clogs, but they’ve been easy to fix. A quick clean and I’m back in business. I also do my test prints on regular paper first; no point wasting edible sheets while you’re figuring things out.

My biggest tip? Use it regularly, or at least give it a quick run once a week. Treat it well, and it’ll be one of the best investments you make. I’ve got the A3 Canon, and honestly - I love it.

9. What’s your most popular cake flavour combination?

Vanilla with raspberry buttercream is definitely the crowd favourite; it’s simple, light, and always a hit. Close behind is caramel cake with white chocolate ganache and a drizzle of caramel. I get amazing feedback on both.

10. Self-care is crucial! How do you take care of yourself while running your business?

I do my best, I eat well, I’ve rejoined the gym, and I keep telling myself balance is a thing. I work full-time and bake at night, so realistically, sleep and I play catch-up on the weekend.

11. What business-related achievement are you most proud of, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?

I’m proud that I’ve shown it’s never too late to learn something new. When I started, I admired all these incredible cake artists and never imagined I’d be able to create pieces like that myself. Now I’m making detailed sugar figurines, 3D novelty cakes, and even managing to navigate social media - which is an achievement in itself!

It’s been really satisfying to see how much I’ve grown, both creatively and in running the business side of things.  Plus, I’m not finished learning yet!