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

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is just how much happens behind one finished cake.

People see the final photograph, but behind it are hours of planning, customer messages, designing, shopping, baking, decorating, cleaning, photography and all the other little jobs involved in running a business.

Learning to balance all of that has definitely been a journey. Over time, I’ve become more organised, learned to plan ahead and become more realistic about how much I can take on.

I’m still learning as my business grows, and I think that’s part of running a creative business - there is always something new to learn and a better way to do things.

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

Sugarbird Cakery has given me a creative space that feels completely my own.

There’s something very special about receiving an idea from a customer and then bringing my own interpretation to it. Sometimes I’m given a complete theme, and other times it might simply be a colour palette or a few inspiration images. Watching that idea slowly become a finished cake is still one of my favourite parts of what I do.

Running my own business has also taught me patience, confidence and resilience. When I look back at where I started and compare it with where I am today, I can see how much I’ve grown - not only as a cake decorator, but also as a business owner.

4. You purchased an edible ink printer; what motivated this decision?

For me, it came down to wanting more creative freedom and control over the finer details of my cakes.

I’m quite particular when it comes to finishing touches. Having my own edible printer means I’m not limited by what I can source elsewhere or waiting for something to be printed.

If I’m creating a cake and decide an element needs to be smaller, a different colour or completely redesigned, I can make those changes myself and print exactly what I need.

I’ve now been using my EIS edible printing system for over a year, and it has become such an important part of my cake-decorating setup. I’m still so happy with my purchase.

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

For me, one of the biggest advantages is detail.

Edible printing allows me to create illustrations, patterns, lettering, personalised artwork and very fine elements that would otherwise be difficult or incredibly time-consuming to recreate by hand.

I also love finding ways to make edible prints part of the overall cake design rather than always making them the main feature. Sometimes it’s just one small printed element that brings the whole design together.

The prints are beautifully bright, crisp and clean, and I feel edible printing has really elevated the finer details of my cakes and taken my designs to another level.

6. What design gets your creative juices flowing, and why is it your favourite to work on?

Give me a beautiful colour palette, a few inspiration details and some creative freedom, and that’s when I’m happiest!

I’m naturally drawn to cakes that feel clean and considered, with beautiful colours, piping, textures and personalised details. I don’t feel that every space needs to be filled - sometimes a few carefully chosen elements can make a much stronger statement.

I especially enjoy taking different ideas and finding a way to bring them together so the finished cake feels balanced, beautiful and personal to the person being celebrated.

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

Custom cake requests definitely keep things interesting!

There have been times when I’ve received an idea, and my first thought has been, “How am I going to turn this into a cake?” But those requests often end up being some of the most interesting because they push me outside my usual way of thinking.

That unpredictability is something I really enjoy about custom cakes. Every customer brings a different idea or personality, so you never quite know what you’ll be creating next.

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

I would definitely recommend investing in a reliable system and good-quality supplies from the beginning.

I’d also say not to think of an edible printer as something that’s only useful for photo cakes. There is so much more you can create with it: patterns, illustrations, wording, logos, artwork and tiny personalised details.

Experiment and have fun with it. Once you start looking at edible printing as another creative cake-decorating technique, rather than simply a way of putting an image onto a cake, the possibilities really open up.

And, of course, look after your printer. Regular use and proper maintenance make a big difference. I’ve been using mine for over a year now, and it continues to be such a valuable tool in my cake business.

9. Do you have a favourite cake flavour?

Choosing just one is difficult because there are so many beautiful flavour combinations!

For me, though, a cake should taste every bit as good as it looks. We spend so much time making the outside beautiful, but the real experience comes when the cake is finally cut, and everyone gets to enjoy it.

I love creating cakes where the flavour and texture inside are just as memorable as all the beautiful details on the outside.

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

This is something I’m still learning to get better at.

When your business is also something you genuinely love doing, it can be difficult to switch off. There’s always another message to answer, a design to think about, a photograph to post or something that could be prepared for the next order.

I try to make time for my family and give myself moments away from cakes and social media. I’ve realised that taking time to recharge is important for creativity too. When I come back feeling refreshed, I enjoy creating so much more.

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

Rather than one particular cake or one big achievement, I’m most proud of what Sugarbird Cakery has gradually become.

Every returning customer means so much to me. When someone comes back for another celebration, or recommends Sugarbird Cakery to their family and friends, it reminds me that they trusted me to be part of an important moment in their lives.

I’m also proud when I look back at my earlier work and see how much my skills and style have developed. That growth didn’t happen overnight. It came from constantly learning, experimenting and challenging myself to make each creation better than the last.

Seeing Sugarbird Cakery continue to grow while still loving what I do is something I’m genuinely proud of.

12. Are there any other EIS products that you love using in your work?

Absolutely! I genuinely love using the whole EIS range. Their products have become such a regular part of my cake-decorating work, and I love having everything I need in one place.

From the edible printing system, inks and icing sheets to the rest of their edible printing supplies, I’ve been really happy with the quality and results.

When you’re creating cakes professionally, having products you can rely on makes such a difference. I love the vibrant colours, crisp details and clean finish I can achieve.

After using EIS products for over a year, I’m still experimenting and discovering new ways to use them in my designs, and that’s one of the things I love most about their range.