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Each month we feature one of our talented customers and share with you their story and tasty tips. Our featured caker this month, Leanne from Sweet Lucy, is a wonderful example of someone who discovered her true passion, developed her skills and then made it into a business she truly loves. If thats not impressive enough she did it all whilst raising triplets plus 3! Read on....

1. How did your baking/caking journey begin?

If I showed you all the birthday cakes I made for my Triplet's 8th Birthday almost 10 years ago, you may have politely told me to “keep my day job”. There was a supermarket chocolate mud cake; one of those in the clear plastic tubs. Handwritten names of my three cherubs on top using store bought coloured icing. Not to forget 3 plastic toys to complete the look. There was no indication at that stage of my life, that I could (or even should) start a Cake Business.

It was my last child's first birthday in 2015 that started it all, as is so often the case. We hear about it all the time; a Mum has a crazy desire to make their own child's birthday cake. They think to themselves, “Oh how hard can it be? Why not do it? I'll give it a go.” It works, it's amazing! Not only does it look good, it tastes divine. All the other Mum's at the party wholeheartedly agree and tell her that she should start a cake business...and she does. And I did. Armed with a small cake tool box that my husband bought me as a gift, I created a Number 1 shaped cake complete with fondant and a cute looking 2D smiley giraffe face. It wasn't a great piece of art by any stretch of anybody’s imagination. All I can say is that something clicked in me, something shifted and a true passion was born. A creative outlet that had been simmering in the background for over 25 years.

2. What has starting your own business meant for you?

Starting Sweet Lucy has meant everything to me. Not only have I been able to stay at home for my children; a goal since my triplets were born in 2000, but I have proven to myself that I can operate a business. Self doubt regarding whether I could ever be successful had held me back from opportunities for years. Looking back, I now realise that discovering my true passion had to come first to achieve lasting success and a business that I love.

3. What do you feel are the benefits of using edible images?

I have never been a natural artist when it comes to drawing and painting and have found that  edible images are the perfect medium to create images, calligraphy and artwork that add a real professional touch.

4. What’s your favourite type of design to create?

My work has started to involve printed icing sheet wraps more and more. Most of these buttercream or fondant cakes to date feature a patterned wrap a quarter or a half up the side of the cake. Over the next few weeks I have orders that will have the entire side of the cake wrapped in either a flower pattern or watercolour effect. For me, the available designs are limitless and fill the gap that exists in my skillset!

5. What is the current trend you’re seeing in edible images?

Definitely the cake wraps mentioned above as well as the continued trend of edible image toppers for cupcakes both for children’s birthday and corporate logos.

6. What is the funniest/most unusual cake you’ve been asked to create?

A chook! One of my lovely customers asked for a full size chicken cake for her 13 year old daughter as these are her favourite animals. I was told that she didn’t want to cut it!

7. Do you have any tips you can share when either printing or applying edible images?

Always follow  Edible Image Supplies recommended schedule of daily, weekly, fortnightly and 6 monthly maintenance. If you have trouble remembering like I did, add these reminders into your phone calendar and they will automatically pop up.

8. What is your career highlight to date?

In May this year,  Sweet Lucy was awarded a Business Excellence Award in the Micro/Home Based Business Section by Bundaberg Regional Chambers of Commerce. We are also featured in 100 Faces of Small Business, a Queensland Government Initiative.

In regard to cake, we were fortunate to be asked to design a cupcake bouquet for a bride in July. It has been one of my favourite creations.