Cheesecakes, Cakes, Cupcakes - Eat More Cakes by Niecey

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Niecey Howard, owner of Eat More Cakes by Niecey, located in Saint Louis, MO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Eat More Cake by Niecey is a home-based bakery that focuses on the service of preparing custom cakes and treats! My customers are people who appreciate their individuality and desire to have it represented for their birthdays, weddings, and other milestone celebrations! They're individuals who require exclusivity! They love the cakes you cannot find at your local grocery.

Tell us about yourself

So, when I was in my early teenage years, my Grandma would have me bake one cake - the same cake - every Thanksgiving. Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing. It would sit on the table next to her homemade Caramel Cake. I think of that as my origin story, lol. Fast forward about 15 years, I was hosting a Christmas Party, and I prepared all the food and desserts myself! The dessert was Caramel Cheesecake. Everyone at the party LOVED them! My friend Ashley, a fellow entrepreneur, says, "these taste so good, you could sell them!" We all laughed and carried on at the party. The following spring, I was let go from my full-time job, and she suggested I "sell those cheesecakes." So I did, and I have not stopped!

I think now my biggest motivation is the eyes of my son watching. He pushes me every day and says he hopes I never stop making cakes. I use that and the overwhelming support I get from the St Louis community. I have loyal customers that have been with me since the beginning who look to me for all their events. I love that. I love that they appreciate and continuously support me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment thus far has been my cake decorating classes! I did my first class in May of 2021. I was able to pass on the things I've learned over the last few years to others who were just starting out or just wanting to add a new skill to their cake decorating.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things for me is doing it all myself. I think as an owner, you have certain ways you've done things and want to maintain or exceed that level of expectation. It's a lot of work. I work more hours per week now than I ever did as a full-time employee.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Just go for it! There's never really a perfect time or way to start. Do what you can with what you have until you can do more. You fail at 100% of everything you don't try.
BE NICE! Your clients and customers chose you. Be kind to them. Stand firm on your policies and create boundaries for yourself, but be nice, always. Customer Service is bigger and more important than anything you're selling them.
Have Integrity.

My website will be available soon! Everyone will be able to fill out inquiries, join my mailing list, view cake photos, and get info for classes 24/7! I've owned the domain for longer than I'd like to admit.

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatMoreCakesbyNiecey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/em_cakesbyniecey/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.