Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Butler.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Michigan. While I was attending The University of Michigan for my degree in education, I worked part-time at a bakery. My program was a five-year program, so I worked at the bakery until I graduated. I started out as just the cashier/simple dessert designer, then work my way up. I was a visual learner and seen my boss make cakes all the time until I began doing them on my own.
Fast forward, I graduated, taught kindergarten, then moved to Orlando and married my husband, William. I taught middle school language arts. When we decided to have kids, we agreed that I would be a stay-at-home mom. My husband knew I used to work at a bakery, but he never knew I made cakes until one day in our house party, I made about three different cakes from scratch. It wasn’t until then my husband encouraged me to continue making them. A year after I had my son, I decided to offer chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine’s day in our new home in the winter garden. Next thing you know I was being raved about on the Facebook group: winter garden rant, raves and reviews.
I began receiving many calls and messages about what else I offer. That’s how Sweet Like Sam of Orlando began. I’m going on four years soon and couldn’t be happier with where I am. Two babies later and I’m now requesting three months minimum on custom orders. I specialize in weddings now and am already almost fully booked for weddings this year. It’s truly a blessing. I do many Collaborations with local small businesses now, I became a vendor in the newest lake Speer sidewalk. The market now, and pushed myself to begin gourmet doughnuts as well.
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?
It has not always been a smooth road, many who follow me know I occasionally reintroduced myself to new followers and update my loyal followers on life events besides sweets. Because I’m a young mom of a 4-year-old and a now one-year-old, it can be challenging. Sleepless nights, kids getting sick. My work schedule is brutal.
I’m mommy all day, and then once e kids are in bed by 7:30 pm, I then begin my work and usually finish about 1-3 am. Then I’m up by 7 am with my kids, and I do it all over again. To have a successful business, you need to put in the work, the sleepless night, the long hours, and lots of love into what you do. As long as I continue to love my work, I will continue making cakes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a local cottage food bakery and I work from home. I specialize in buttercream cakes, primarily in the wedding industry to any special occasion. I also specialize in gourmet doughnuts that were only offered at the lake Speer sidewalk market but not due to popular demand are offered twice a month on my website for pre-orders on Sunday mornings.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come as far as designs and aiming towards weddings. When I look back at my first wedding cake to my most current, it’s mind-blowing. Practice truly makes perfect. I believe what sets me apart from others is my eye for detail and creativity. Just scrolling through my social media’s you easily get an idea of my designs. I’m bug on floral, whether it’s fresh floral or my knife pallet technique making realistic floral. Many of my clients give me free range to work my magic which I think makes every cake unique for each client.
What are your plans for the future?
My future plans are to offer my cake workshops visually to online classes you can purchase and keep. I also plan on selling my own cake tools that I use.
My next goal is to purchase a food truck. A storefront is definitely my dream, but years down the road, my main priority is to be a mom first and make sure my kids are first. Once their old enough, that’s why I begin my journey with a storefront.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sweetlikesamoforlando@gmail.com
- Website: Sweetlikesam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetlikesamoforlando/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetlikesam/
Image Credits
Taylor Kuperberg Photography
