International Bakery sits down with Lauren Smy owner of the Honey Bee Wedding Cake Co for our latest Breaking Bread With…interview.
If you could change anything in the industry, what would it be?
Pricing. Most bakers don’t charge enough for their work, and this can make it hard for others to charge their worth. However, my advice is never to compete on price, the good customers are out there, you just need to show them why you’re worth paying that little bit extra for!
What three traits define you?
Hardworking, perfectionist, approachable.
What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see today?
In terms of decoration, there does seem to be a tendency towards more of a ‘natural’ look, with buttercream and semi naked cakes still being very popular, and iced cakes incorporating textures and neutral shades.
How do you define success? What made you want to work for the industry?
Success to me is about being happy in what you do. I used to work in banking and earned good money, but I’d just spend it on pointless things to try and cheer myself up because my job involved long hours and bored me. Now, I work for myself doing something creative that I love, I get to spend time with my family and I am happy. I have worked hard on my business and been through the late nights, but that has paid off and while it’s still not easy, I have the balance that I’d always craved.
What would you most like to tell your 13-year-old self?
It doesn’t matter that you have no idea what career you want! You can, and will, go through a few and each one will add to your experiences in a positive way.
What’s your favourite aspect about working in the industry?
The flexibility it affords me, as well as the opportunity to be creative and not stuck to a desk (too often!)
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
My gran: ‘no-one ever laid on their deathbed thinking “I wish I’d spent more time in the office” ‘
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I still hope to be making wedding cakes, but not so many, and they will be larger ones at the top London venues. I also work as a business coach for cake makers (laurengraceconsulting.co.uk) so I hope to see that expand, offering more courses and chances to help others in the industry to boost their business potential.
Image credit: AKP Branding Stories
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Media contact
Kiran Grewal
Editor, International Bakery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@in-bakery.com
