Global Wedding Awards 2023

31 | Luxlife Magazine Best Bespoke Wedding Cake Bakery 2023 – Houston With a passion for baking and a core ethos of helping to empower people to live their lives to the full, Jessica Ewald runs her bakery business with enthusiasm and creativity. We find out more as her company is recognised in the Global Wedding Awards 2023. Based in Houston, Texas, Not Your Ordinary Cakes is a bakery with a difference. Self-described as “sculpted art you can eat” the bakery specialises in creating hand-crafted cake masterpieces to surprise and delight its clients. Its Owner and Lead Cakeologist, Jessica Ewald, began creating cake art in 2009 and officially opened Not Your Ordinary Cakes in 2014, after having perfected her recipes. Today, Jessica specialises in creating everything from wedding cakes, to sculpted cakes to novelty cakes (and everything in between!) with passion and love at the very centre of her core ethos. “I work with all sorts of clients,” Jessica elaborates, speaking about her company. “Those with large budgets, small budgets, large aspirations, simple styles, great ambitions and unique tastes. I give each client as much attention as they need to express their desires for their decorated cake.” Designing a cake for a client requires a careful balancing of technical skill, design expertise, and a deep understanding of the needs and desires of the client. Jessica tells us that, by taking into account these various considerations and approaching her work with dedication and excellence, she can create a cake that not only looks beautiful, amazing, and spectacular but is also delicious and memorable for years to come. “We strive to exceed our clients' expectations by using only the highest quality ingredients and paying attention to every detail in the design process,” enthuses Jessica. “At Not Your Ordinary Cakes, we believe that every cake should be a work of art, and we are dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces that leave a lasting impression on our clients and their guests minds, hearts, and taste pallets.” Jessica has a unique journey of her own having overcome challenges from an early age and discovering her talent for cakes later than most in life (at the age of 30). Now, she uses her experiences to empower others. As a high-functioning autistic and neurodivergent person, Jessica knows she can bring a unique perspective and approach to her business, which can be a strength in the competitive cake and bakery industry. “I cannot tell you how many times I have cried, wiped away the tears, and got back up to keep going,” she continues. “In my world, there is no quitting, there is no stopping. You simply work through the tears and keep going on. Some could say its admirable that I value kindness, respect, and empowerment in my business, and that I believe in taking action to make a positive impact in the world. This kind of valuedriven approach can be a powerful asset in building a strong, loyal customer base and a positive reputation in the community. I would say its human decency.” The bakery is very much a family-run affair, with Jessica’s three children getting actively involved in the baking, the cleaning, and the social media side of things in order to help spread the word about their talented Mum’s creations. Then there’s James, Jessica’s devoted husband, who, although working as a structural engineer, finds the time to take all the photos, deliver the cakes to delighted customers, and even has a hand in helping design then construct the framework that some of the masterpieces rely on to support their structure. “To ensure that everyone has the same vision, it's important to communicate the company's mission, values, and goals clearly and consistently,” Jessica explains. “I am huge on communication. Ensuring that staff share the same vision and values for the business is a critical element of building a strong and successful team. My family recognise this – which is why they are a part of this team. We thrive this way.” Recently, in recognition of its incredible work and the hoards of extremely satisfied clients in its wake, Not Your Ordinary Cakes was named Best Bespoke Wedding Cake Bakery 2023 – Houston in the Global Wedding Awards. In terms of specific plans for 2023 and beyond, Not Your Ordinary Cakes is exploring ways to further grow its business, such as expanding its physical presence in different areas with a second store or maybe a satellite store, as well as increasing its online sales channels. As the longer-term future beckons, Jessica is already poised for further success and is keen to embrace one trend that has been growing in popularity in recent years – the demand for unique and unconventional cake flavours. “We’re considering options and exploring this trend to offer new and exciting cake flavours,” she states. “Another potential development is the expansion of cake classes and workshops, where customers can learn how to make their own cakes or decorate them. This can be a great way for Not Your Ordinary Cakes to engage with customers and build a sense of community around its brand.” Contact: Jessica Ewald Company: Not Your Ordinary Cakes Web Address: www.nyocakes.com

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