Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Speiser.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi! I’m Mel. I have roots in San Diego, as I was born in Escondido, and my dad was a Clairmont native. My childhood was primarily in Phoenix, AZ, but we moved to Orange County for my high school years.
I grew up with a very creative mind and passion for arts and crafts. My school projects, though extremely procrastinated, always turned out detailed and artistic. I had an eye for sculpting things out of clay, which really benefited my future self as I got involved in cake decorating.
I’ve been in the cake artistry business for over a decade, even before graduating The Art Institute pastry school in 2016. My passions in the cake world are hand-sculpted edible figures, painted buttercream flowers, and 3D custom cakes. I’ve worked at multiple Orange County cake shops and have always had dreams of starting a cake business of my own.
Early this year, my husband received a career opportunity which prompted my return to San Diego County. We picked up and moved our little family of four from Yorba Linda to Chula Vista within three month of his first day.
Getting a fresh start in San Diego has given me the opportunity to jump in and start a home bakery and practice the craft of edible art. I launched my Instagram @melavendersweets this summer and have had a blast creating content and getting connected with the community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
An obstacle I’ve had to overcome throughout adulthood and finding my path has been reprocessing the passing of my dad. He passed away when I was 15, leaving behind my mom and 3 younger siblings. Though it was the hardest things we’ve ever had to go through, my dad always taught us to “never give up”. His words are loud in my head as I navigate through life and take chances on myself.
I found a partner who shares the same desire to live a goal-oriented life while also living life to the fullest. My husband and I met in 2014, got engaged in Italy in 2016, married in 2018, bought a house, and had our first son in 2019, and our second born came in 2021. Here we are, 2023, living in a new home in a new county, both with new career situations. It’s clear that we love adventure, and we find so much joy doing it together.
Last year we faced many challenges together that included health scares and career changes but it all led us on this path to moving south. We took a chance and have never felt more grateful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a baker, but also like to call myself a cake artist. I love to bake things that taste delicious, but I find even more joy in using my hands to create edible works of art. The process of talking with a customer about their ideas and co-creating a celebration piece with them is so exciting to me. I specialize in sculpting small to large-scale edible pieces, whether it be a person, an animal, or a beloved character. I can do tiered cakes, cupcakes, custom cookies, and cake pops to match any theme a customer throws at me. I’d say maybe my attention to detail and my investment in making a customer feel special sets me apart from other cake companies, but I truly think we all share those traits when it comes to our craft.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I have three boys that matter most to me: my husband and two sons. As we are shaping future generations, we strive to teach our boys kindness, respect for others and the planet, and resilience. Motherhood is a wild ride and can be challenging but those small, beautiful moments you wish you could capture forever without taking out your phone make it all worth it. Our extended family also mean the world to us and we wouldn’t be where we are without their love and support through our journey. Integrating and finding a balance with family and career is so important.
Pricing:
- 3D custom cakes start at $300+
- $7/slice+ buttercream tiered cakes
- $9/slice+ fondant tiered cakes
- 7” base price $60 9” base price $80 10” base $90
- Additional costs vary from extra cake heigh, fondant figures, flowers…etc. ($25-$300+ depending on design)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @melavendersweets
