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Conversations with the Inspiring Olivia Hoopes

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Hoopes.

Olivia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since growing up on a berry farm in California and working in the kitchen with my mom, good-tasting fresh food has been engrained in my DNA. I took Wilton’s cake decorating class in 2003 and made my first wedding cake (for my sister!). For the next ten years, I only dappled in cake decorating. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics (BYU 2010) but have always wanted to attend culinary school. After having two kids, I was still thinking about culinary school and decided to pursue my dreams. I graduated from Auguste Escoffier in 2014 with a certificate of pastry arts. After working in a bakery for a year, I decided to start my own venture: Elevate Cake was born! Business seemed to snowball after every cake I made. I am pleased to say that much of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals.

I continue to learn through online cake classes, Facebook groups, and specialty in-person classes when I can. It’s a never-ending learning process and I love being able to incorporate new techniques and the latest styles into my desserts!

Has it been a smooth road?
I think the most difficult thing for me is finding a balance. I am a mother of four kids (ages 1,4,6,8) and a stay-at-home mom. It’s taken time to figure out the workload I can handle while still spending quality time with my family. I didn’t want it to be a choice between creating cakes or my family, so I had to find that balance. I think what has helped me the most is learning how to say no, not taking every order, and not feeling bad about referring clients to other talented cake artists in the area when I am booked.

I would encourage others starting out to network with others in the industry. I know it may seem odd-but I always say pastry school gave me the confidence I needed to start my business, but Facebook gave me the skills. I have learned so much from others’ experiences and knowledge of my Facebook cake/cookie groups. I love being able to ask questions, search for answers, and find inspiration from others in the industry. We are a family of cake artists from all over the world and support each other in what we do.

Lastly, I would say: have confidence in yourself! Every cake you make improves your knowledge and skill for the next one. One of my favorite exercises is to view a picture of one of my first creations next to a picture of the current creation. It allows me to really see how far I’ve come and invigorates me to see where I’ll be in another five years. It’s never too late to pursue a dream!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Elevate Cake story. Tell us more about it.
I specialize in high-quality celebration and wedding cakes. I also offer add-ons such as cupcakes, custom sugar cookies, donuts, cakesicles (oversized cake pops), mini pies, macarons, and mini cheesecakes to diversify any dessert table. I am known for my neat, clean work and attention to detail. My work is custom-made for each client which means I handle each order with the utmost care and attention. I limit the number of orders I take on each week, so I can maintain the high standards I am known for.

I make everything from scratch and exclusively use Swiss meringue buttercream for all my cakes-a smooth, silky frosting with a mild sweetness. It doesn’t compare to the traditional American buttercream that can be found almost everywhere else. My menu also offers a wide variety of flavor combinations that is sure to please just about everyone!

I am proud of the brand I’ve created because to me, it is synonymous with quality.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
As mentioned previously, Facebook has been a game changer for me. I would recommend joining cake groups, reading what has already been asked, and learning from the best! Be active in groups and forums both locally and internationally. There are so many professional cake artists out there who are willing to help or point you in the right direction if you just ask. Most cake photos are watermarked with a business name. I have often directly messaged that business to ask a technical question or ask permission to use their design. Most professionals in the industry are pretty open if you ask!

There are several online cake schools that offer a cake forum with a paid membership. These forums are led by cake professionals who are there to answer any questions you may have. This is priceless!

Learning what is best practice in the industry and being courteous and humble will go a long way. Also, never stop learning! The cake industry has changed so much over the years and is constantly evolving, which motivates me to continuously improve my craft.

Pricing:

  • Buttercream cakes start at 5.50/serving
  • Cupcakes start at 2.50/each
  • Minimum order amount of $150

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Danielle Roth, Sarah Morgan

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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