Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Patterson
Hi Valerie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I met my husband, I wanted to impress him and his family with homemade cheesecakes. At first, they weren’t great—but I kept practicing. Over time, I got the hang of it and became really good. As I shared my cheesecakes with friends and family, they encouraged me to start selling them. For a few months, I sold them to coworkers, but life got busy, and I put baking on hold.
After a decade away from cheesecake-making, we moved into a new neighborhood. During the holidays, I loved making treats for our neighbors—banana breads, caramels, cookies, and sometimes cheesecake. Their excitement and encouragement reignited my passion. Seeing how much joy my baking brought to others, I decided to turn it into something more.
I started small, selling hand-decorated cheesecake cubes in little boxes at pop-up markets. After one holiday market, I received an email inviting me to join the Vista Farmers Market. There was just one challenge—they had a strict no-plastic rule. That’s when I switched to 4oz glass jars, and it was the perfect fit.
Now, PatterCakes Cheesecakes has been at the Vista and Leucadia farmers markets for about a year, and I’ve even had the honor of providing desserts for weddings. What began as a simple act of sharing has grown into a business that brings happiness—one jar of cheesecake at a time.
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?
Starting Pattercakes came with its fair share of obstacles and challenges. Launching a business is never easy—there’s the learning curve of managing operations, marketing, and customer expectations. On top of that, not even liking cheesecake added an unexpected twist. I select flavors based on what sounds delicious, make the cheesecakes and take them to my coworkers to sample and provide feedback. I have the experience to know what works at this point but often get bored of ‘normal’ flavors so I’ve come up with over 50 flavors to choose from. Keeping a rotation of 10-12 flavors at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Pattercakes, my cheesecake work is all about creativity and consistency. I’ve developed over 50 unique flavors to keep things exciting, with 10-12 in rotation at any given time. I focus on experimenting with bold, unexpected combinations to make each cheesecake stand out, ensuring there’s always something new for customers to try. Balancing variety with quality is a challenge, but it keeps my work dynamic and engaging. Every flavor is a chance to push boundaries, refine techniques, and make cheesecake more than just dessert—it’s an experience. Recently, I have made 2 vegan cheesecakes. I try to make a variety of gluten-free options and also have a few savory flavors that are more charcuterie style. My favorites are the Rosemary Fig and Jalapeno Popper. By creating these options, I can share my passion for making cheesecake to almost everyone.
What does success mean to you?
Success for Pattercakes means more than just selling cheesecakes—it’s about creating an experience that keeps people excited, surprised, and coming back for more. It’s about turning skeptics into fans, offering flavors that spark joy, and ensuring there’s something for everyone, whether they love sweet, savory, or need gluten-free or vegan options. Success also means maintaining creativity without burnout, keeping the business sustainable, and growing a loyal customer base that appreciates the uniqueness of what Pattercakes offers. At its core, success is bringing happiness through cheesecake while staying true to the passion and innovation that make Pattercakes special.
Pricing:
- $8/jar
- $10/jar – vegan
- $30/4 jars ($2 off)
Contact Info:
