Khadijah of Babycakes Couture | Head shots

I happy to introduce you today to Khadijah Ford of Babycakes Couture.

How did you get started?

Baking, the arts and fashion have always been things that I’ve enjoyed; however, I never considered incorporating the three into a business. In 2008, I baked red velvet cupcakes and pinwheel cookie pops as gifts to my coworkers for the holidays. They enjoyed them so much that I decided to make a baked treat their annual holiday gift. After that, I became more interested in the inner workings of the baking world and happened upon the Pillsbury Bake Off contest and decided to enter.  I wasn’t picked, which made me sad, but coming up with the recipe for it sparked something within. So, I decided to keep going.  I began playing with recipes, used the internet to learn a little about the science of baking and went to YouTube for icing piping lessons. I would share my creations and then people started asking to order and even offered to pay.  As time went on, I learned more and more, I got better and better and people’s interest in my baked goodies increased.  My 2010 New Year’s resolution was to take baking more seriously and turn it into a business.  And, that’s just what I did.  Since then I’ve set small goals, met them, and I plan to continue to do so.  What started out as a gift to others, has turned out to be a gift to me.

Five words that describe your business

 Really, the best cupcakes ever. LOL. but if you wanted five separate words, I’d say, Classic Chic Sweet Personal Yummy

Most popular item people order

Definitely Scarlet, my red velvet cupcake, but the Blonde Bombshell (brown sugar pound cake with cream cheese icing and caramel) and Pretty in Pink (strawberry cake with strawberry cream cheese icing) are a very close second

 Big business goal for 2012

The main goal for me in 2012 is to solidify a contract for an established restaurant or cafe to carry a selection of Babycakes Couture Sweets in their facility. It’s a totally ambitious goal, but I am confident that I can do it. It’s the next step on the road to the Babycakes Couture Sweets Boutique

Favorite cake flavor

My favorite cake on my menu is my pineapple upside down cake. But my all time favorite cake is strawberry shortcake.

Recipe dying to try

Humming Bird cake, I personally don’t like bananas so, I’m kind of intimidated by it. There are so many versions of this cake. I’m still deciding which direction I’m going to go in with my version.

The kitchen item you can’t live without?

My pink Kitchen Aid mixer. Her name is Penny. She is my right hand girl. Without Penny, there would be no cupcakes.