Today we’d like to introduce you to Candis Anderson.
Candis, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well as far as cakes go, I have always been interested in decorating. I was really into art for most of my life and have tried a ton of different genres. I did my very first cake in 2009 for a friends wedding and just wanted to know all I could about different decorating techniques. My first big cake was in 2010 and I just dove head first into it. Started my first Facebook page for my cakes and met a lot of people and clients through friends, family, and word of mouth. I believe I have done close to 100 cakes by now. I hope. And I only plan on getting better.
I did my first drag show in January 2016 for a competition a friend of mine was in. I just had a baby 5 months before and can’t really dance to save my life. But I got on the stage and just felt such a rush of excitement and joy. I think everyone has a secret dream to be on Broadway and that was how that experience was. Jesebell Jones was born that day and I don’t know what I have done without her. She’s a part of me I don’t get to show every day.
I have such a huge respect for these wonderful drag performers and for the LGBTQ community as a whole. They are beautiful human beings and I’m so honored to witness their craft first hand. My dear friend Vanity Jones is my “drag mother” and is one of the hardest working people I know. I’m thankful every day I was granted entry into this colorful world.
Has it been a smooth road?
As far as cakes go, I’m still not established as I would like to be. My biggest critic is myself. As a person who suffered from anxiety and depression, I’m the hardest on myself and my work. But it is what I intimately want to do for the rest of my life so I have learned to power through and overcome the fear of failure. I have tried twice in the last 9 years to open my own business and it’s always hard when people tell you “no” or you can’t do it. But I want to succeed, so I will try and try again. We as women are sometimes put in the “she can’t do that” category and it’s very disappointing. We are told we won’t do as good of a job as men and that has to stop. I feel like we are rising up more and more to break down those walls and do what we want to and have to do to succeed in our lives. I hope to be among them one day soon.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into May May’s Cakes story. Tell us more about the business.
I love all kinds of cakes. Wedding, birthday and specialty. I feel I have finally perfected my favorite cake and frosting recipes. My most requested cake is Red Velvet which I pair with Cream Cheese Frosting. It’s rich and smooth and I can stand in my kitchen and eat it all day. I started off doing mainly buttercream cakes but moved into fondant pretty quickly. I make a marshmellows fondant for all of my cakes. It’s super light yet yummy, so you can eat it if you choose.
I think I’m most proud of my willingness to try new techniques or ideas for flavors or design. I try very hard not to repeat myself with my cake work and provide each client with a custom cake just for them.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I’m still looking for a mentor myself. I admire so many people that I have never met, like Buddy from Cake Boss or Duff from Charm City Cakes. And you can’t forget the master herself, Martha Stewart. But as far as someone I can personally turn to, the position is still open.
As far as networking, I have both Facebook and Instagram, where I post my works as I do them. The dream would be a professional website portraying all my works in my fancy storefront. One day!
Contact Info:
- Email: candis_randerson@yahoo.com
- Instagram: May_mayscakes89
- Facebook: Facebook.com/@cramayscakes
Image Credit:
Candis Anderson
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