Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Leaf.
Hi Ali, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Surprisingly enough, my love of baking didn’t start until around my last year of college. It was a form of stress relief, a way I could step away from my demanding course load. It started with a box of cake mix every weekend or so as a way of keeping myself from getting overwhelmed. In retrospect, I think what really kicked off my love for baking was sharing something I produced and seeing the joy it brought to people I cared about.
When I finished my degree and moved back to Florida, my boyfriend (now husband) said if I was going to keep baking then I would have to start making cakes from scratch. He thought that would slow me down and keep us from gaining all that weight. That pushed me to see the endless possibilities for experimentation with flavors now that I wasn’t boxed in by just what was prepackaged at the grocery store. One of my most successful of these flavor experiments was a mango citrus cake, and that is one I still make often.
I ended up trying out so many different desserts that I would hand them out to friends and neighbors, and would send any extras in with my husband to share with his coworkers. Once I saw how much people liked what I was creating, I decided I needed to take the next step and share my passion with everyone. I decided to officially register as an LLC in 2023 and have since been an active member of the small business community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think my biggest struggle has been trying to grow as a one woman business while still prioritizing my family. I am a stay at home mom with a very active 3.5 year old which can make finding time to bake difficult. I originally started out attending farmers markets most weekends, but that ended up taking away too much time from my family. I have since shifted my focus to only events that attract customers who are more likely to appreciate my products.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make desserts that allow people to experience unique flavors. Those flavors, as cliche as it sounds, sometimes come to me in the middle of the night. These midnight thoughts have ended up leading to some customer favorites like mango citrus cake (vanilla, mango, lime, and lemon), red chili infused chocolate push pops, and maple pecan cookies. I do not have a set menu, but instead adjust what is offered depending on the season or occasion. For personal orders, I work with the customer to create their perfect flavor, even if it is something entirely new to me. I also do my best to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the flavor.
Although I am happy every time someone compliments my work, I am most proud of the one contest I entered a dessert in and won second place. My coffee maple “bacon” mini cake was recognized by the Battle Bros 321: Food Fest in the marketplace division.
I think what sets me apart is the personal connection I try to make with each and every customer on top of creating the dessert that is right for them. I want everyone to walk away feeling like a friend, not just a customer.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Although I live in Melbourne, Fl, I love the diversity that Orlando offers, from the food, the events, the activities, there really is so much to do no matter what you enjoy. But having grown up in a larger city, I do not miss the traffic and chaos that comes with it.
Pricing:
- Push Pop Cakes starting at $6
- Mini Cakes starting at $7
- Cakes starting at $45
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweetsbyleaf
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sweetsbyleaf
