Hamilton and Beyond! | LiUNA Talks Small Biz (Part Two)
The BDC Small Business Week continues and once again we are bringing you part two of our creative, fun and charismatic businesses from Hamilton and beyond- as nominated by our INSTAGRAM fam! Below we have gathered some info on who they are, what they do, challenges they’ve overcome and how to get in touch – hope you enjoy learning about these amazing small businesses as much as we did!
What is the amazing product or service that you offer to your clients?!
Cakes, cupcakes and all kinds of delicious from scratch baked goods!
Tell Us A Little About Yourself!
Katie of Cake and Kale has always loved baking and grew up on delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies baked by her mom. When I was in university, I started baking as a way to procrastinate doing essays, and many years later I turned that into a full time passion. I love making wedding cakes, celebration cakes, cupcakes, and inspired holiday/seasonal treats for everyone to enjoy, including allergen-friendly goodies. I truly believe dessert makes life sweeter and hope I can bring that sweetness to every order I get. I live in Hamilton with my husband, 3 year old son, pup and cat with another baby on the way, and when I’m not baking I’m reading, sipping cold prosecco, hanging with friends and obsessing over Harry Potter.
What 2023 Trend Are You Admiring The Most?
Palette floral buttercream cakes! They are so pretty and fun to make, and make such a unique stand-out for any event.
Tell Us A Small Business Related Challenge That You Have Faced And Have Overcome Or Are Working Through?
Building a business while also raising a family! I turned my biz into a full time gig when my son was just a few months old, and while I love both my business and my son, doing both is hard. I’ve learned to lean on others for support, hire on help, make friends with others in the industry who can support and cheer us on, and just take each day as it comes. Starting a business isn’t easy but it’s SO worth it. Just take the leap!
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!
Oh gosh so many! Darling Donuts, Enticing Icing Cakery, Beyond the Bomb Bath Bombs, Delusional Sauces Co, just to name a few.
What is the amazing product or service that you offer to your clients?!
Custom handmade character & hand painted bath bombs. I offer favours of all types- bridal showers, wedding,, birthday parties, etc. These bath bombs are fully customizable to event colour schemes! Typical orders include bath bombs and shower steamers.
Tell Us A Little About Yourself!
My name is Holly and I started my biz in 2021 during Covid lockdown #2(?!) while on maternity leave with my second son. I actually left my career in social work to pursue this full time in November 2022 and I haven’t looked back. I’m a mom of two busy boys, aged 6 & 3. I’m outgoing and love connecting with other local women owned businesses. In my spare time (what’s that anymore?! Lol) I enjoy reading, cottaging, binging my favourite shows and travelling.
What 2023 Trend Are You Admiring The Most?
S E L F C A R E
Tell Us A Small Business Related Challenge That You Have Faced And Have Overcome Or Are Working Through?
As my business grows, I’m navigating the balance of it all. It’s been incredible but challenging to prioritize family time and keeping things moving with business. My time management and efficiency is definitely getting better but running this gig solo is not for the faint of heart.
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!
A Little Sprinkle of Sweetness
What is the amazing product or service that you offer to your clients?!
I offer a variety of different products and services with my bakery business! Whether it is for a wedding, Birthday, Christening, Shower etc, there is always a dessert for any occasion. Some of our desserts we make are cookies, cupcakes, bars, chocolate dipped treats, traditional Italian pastries, custom buttercream cakes, and variety dessert boxes etc. one of my services I also offer are customized desserts tables for any type of event, whether it is a Wedding, Shower, Birthday etc. Our Sweet tables are the perfect way of showcasing your delicious desserts while bringing elegance and class to any event. Each dessert is personalized to you, highly styled and designed desserts put together in an artful display, all decorated to your unique style. My sweets table services include delivery, setup/ takedown, table decor, desserts and even rentals!
Tell Us A Little About Yourself!
I have a small family of my own and have devoted over 25 years to the healthcare field. Baking has been a beloved hobby that I’ve enjoyed sharing with my family and friends for years. While the pandemic of 2021 presented challenges, it also opened a door for me to turn this passion into a small business. Growing up in a tight-knit Italian family in Hamilton, ON, I developed a profound love for baking through countless family celebrations. Today, what brings me the most satisfaction is being a part of our customers’ special occasions, forging connections, nurturing relationships, and bringing the joy of homemade desserts to their lives. Merging my family’s cherished traditions with my baking enthusiasm allows me to share these treasured recipes and treats with our valued customers.
What 2023 Trend Are You Admiring The Most?
The dessert trends of 2023 embrace textured and vintage-style cakes, with pearl accents taking a prominent role in both cakes and other delightful treats. The rising popularity of sweets tables, influenced by the pandemic, offers a stunning platform to showcase your delectable desserts while providing guests with a convenient and enjoyable way to savour these personalized confections at events. This trend is a growing preference for smaller accent cakes, complemented by an array of snack-able and shareable treats thoughtfully arranged on your dessert table. Additionally, the rise towards multiple cakes displayed at varying heights, instead of a single grand tiered centerpiece, continues to gain momentum, enhancing the overall appeal of this evolving culinary movement.
Tell Us A Small Business Related Challenge That You Have Faced And Have Overcome Or Are Working Through?
Among the many challenges I confront, a central one revolves around enhancing brand visibility and refining marketing strategies. As a small business, I continuously strive to devise innovative and practical methods to set myself apart and engage potential customers. Another challenge I face are the implications of inflation, which drive up the costs associated with goods and services. This compels me to periodically adjust pricing and product offerings, while ensuring that all my desserts remain affordable for our valued customers.
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!
What is the amazing product or service that you offer to your clients?!
Gourmet Baked Mini Donuts with gluten free and vegan options.
Tell Us A Little About Yourself!
Alyssa Lancia, the founder of Darling Donuts and Werk Nights, is a passionate community builder in Hamilton. With her Gourmet Baked Mini donuts and her passion for building female entrepreneurial connections through Werk Nights, Alyssa is a driving force behind creativity and community in the city. Alyssa is also part of the Centre for Entrepreneurship team at Mohawk College. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her toddler, husband, and goldendoodle, and loves checking out new restaurants and events in the city.
What 2023 Trend Are You Admiring The Most?
Pearls have such a beautiful look, fun colours, and of course, extravagant dessert tables including our Cake/Darling collab with Cake and Kale!
Tell Us A Small Business Related Challenge That You Have Faced And Have Overcome Or Are Working Through?
Family life balance with growing a small business while being a mom!
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!
Emily Santos – Pressed Petals By Emily
What is the amazing product or service that you offer to your clients?!
Floral preservation!
Tell Us A Little About Yourself!
My name is Emily, and I’m a floral preservationist located in Huron County! I’ve now been preserving florals for 5 years, from all sorts of occasions; weddings primarily, but also memorials, graduations, anniversaries and more. I’m a full time mama-preneur and part time interior designer! Two precious little boys, two fluffy golden retrievers, and a carpenter hubby that brings the house designs and visions to life. I was born in Oakville, raised in Burlington, and now have family all over the GTA and Horseshoe regions. However, I now reside at the beachside along the beautiful Lake Huron!
What 2023 Trend Are You Admiring The Most?
COLOUR! All of the colour, please!
Tell Us A Small Business Related Challenge That You Have Faced And Have Overcome Or Are Working Through?
Time! Am I right? There never seems to be enough of it. The most difficult, but most positive, challenge that I’ve faced is the speed in which my business grew! Floral preservation has grown substantially over the years and really isn’t the tiny little niche that it used to be. With a growing family and a growing business, I’m constantly on the clock and very frequently putting in very late night shifts on flowers so that I can spend the time with my family during the day. I think most business owners can say that setting those boundaries are difficult, but making time with our loved ones will (should) always take priority!
Shout Out To Another Small Business Who You Want To Show Love To This Business Week!