One Year of Crumbs: What My First Year in the Cake Business Taught Me

A year ago, Crumbs was just an idea. A “what if?” scribbled in my head, mixed with a love for baking and a quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, it could become something real. Fast forward twelve months, and here I am, running my own cake business, looking back on a year that’s been challenging, exciting, exhausting, and incredibly rewarding.

Starting Crumbs wasn’t about overnight success or big grand plans. It began with baking for friends and family, taking a few orders here and there, and slowly building the confidence to say, “Yes, I can do this.” That first paid order felt huge. Someone trusted me to make something special for them, and that feeling still hasn’t gone away.

The Learning Curve (a Steep One!)

This year has been one constant learning curve. From pricing cakes properly (harder than it looks), managing time around other commitments, sourcing ingredients, and learning how to say no when my diary was full. Baking cakes is one thing, running a business is another entirely.

I’ve learned that not every cake will be perfect, but every cake teaches you something. I’ve learned to plan better, prep earlier, and accept that buttercream has a mind of its own on hot days. I’ve also learned that confidence grows with every order completed and every happy customer message received.

The Best Bit? The People

The absolute highlight of my first year has been the people. Customers who trusted me with birthday cakes, celebration cakes, and those “it doesn’t need a reason” cakes. Seeing someone’s face light up when they collect their cake, or hearing how much it was loved, makes every late night and early morning worth it.

Support from friends, family, and repeat customers has meant more to me than I can put into words. Every recommendation, social media share, and kind message has helped Crumbs grow far more than any advert ever could.

The Juggle Is Real

Running Crumbs alongside everyday life hasn’t always been easy. There have been late nights, busy weekends, and moments where I’ve questioned whether I could keep up. But this year has taught me that passion carries you through the hard bits. When you genuinely love what you do, the effort feels worthwhile, even when you’re covered in flour at midnight.

Looking Ahead

As I move into my second year of Crumbs, I feel proud. Proud of how far I’ve come, proud of what I’ve built, and excited for what’s next. I’m looking forward to refining my designs, growing the business at a sustainable pace, and continuing to create cakes that feel as special as the moments they’re made for.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported Crumbs in its first year, whether you ordered a cake, shared a post, or simply cheered me on. You’ve all been part of this journey, and I can’t wait to see where the next year takes us.

Here’s to Year Two!