Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Hill.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
For starters, I don’t really consider myself a baker, I consider myself an artist. I was that kid in my room studying the Sunday Funnies, trying to draw all my favorite cartoon characters. I’d practice them repeatedly until I thought they were good enough to hang on my bedroom door. I continued to take art classes all through school. I truly loved it!
Adulthood moved me away from those activities – fun but frivolous, I thought. It wasn’t until my 30s, after my first cancer experience (I’ve had two!), that I decided to return to my childhood interest, and once I dipped my toe back into that art pond, the love for it came flooding back! I had an Etsy Shop for several years, selling hand-painted gifts, and custom designed note cards and invitations. I’ve also painted murals, dabbled in interior decorating, and upcycled furniture.
However, as artists tend to do, I’m always looking for new creative ideas and outlets. I’ve watched baking shows and followed cake artists online for years, always thinking, “I bet I could do that.” So, in April of 2021, I decided to make my first-ever cake to take to a family get-together. It didn’t go exactly as planned, decoration-wise, but it still got good reviews, so, just like that kid in her room drawing cartoon characters, I went home and began to practice. Then I fell in love with the amazing cupcake flowers I saw online, and began to practice those as well.
I truly love this work and have been so amazed and grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received. I’ve been at it for a couple of years now, but my journey is just beginning. There’s still plenty of room to grow, and I’m looking forward to it!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part of the journey so far has been finding the right balance between my love and energy for the creative process and running a business. Those are two very different mindsets and require very different skills. Luckily, I know and can learn from other women running successful small businesses in my community.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I offer buttercream-decorated cakes and cupcakes and specialize in hand-piped flower cupcakes, which are available in regular and mini sizes. My flower cupcakes have been, by far, the most popular item requested because they’re so perfectly suited for many events – baby and bridal showers, weddings, birthdays, and holidays. I pride myself on the attention to detail I give to every order, from the individual cupcake flower to the colors, textures, and layout of each boxed dozen.
We love surprises, fun facts, and incredible stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
That cake decorating isn’t my only art form. I have also spent time on stage dancing, singing, and acting!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kerry-cakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrycakessc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerryCakesSC/
Image Credits
Headshot Credit – Roree Colaluca Photography
