Meet Dakota Leko | Her Little Cakery Owner & Cake Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Leko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I decided to start my own business in the height of COVID – I was 6 months postpartum from having my second child. During my pregnancy was the beginning of COVID and I had to leave my profession as an urgent care manager due to the risk of high exposure during pregnancy. Over the last half of my pregnancy, then having my daughter I was losing a sense of myself. I had never relied on an income from a partner before and frankly it was downright bothersome to not feel a sense of independence. I was also feeling as if I had nothing that was truly my own. While I knew I wanted to earn an income to help provide for my family, I also knew how unhappy I was working a typical corporate style job – in the medical field nonetheless. One of my hobbies for years here and there included baking desserts for my friends and family. I had one friend who often told me I could make money making my cakes, however I never thought someone would pay me to make them a cake and I also thought there was no way I could make enough profit. One day, feeling stuck, unable to contribute financially to my home and feeling I had nothing to focus on other than my motherly duties I thought… why not take my hobby and see if I could build a business? Why not see what happens… the worst thing that could possibly happen is no one orders and it’s a flop. I had many doubts, some in my life had doubts… although that just fueled my fire even more to show what I could be capable of building. So the first thought when starting my own business… doubt but I am so glad I persisted and found the excitement of starting my own business.

What should our readers know about your business?
When others ask me what sets me apart from other bakers I really feel it is such an unfair question. I know so many talented bakers and I would say we are all set apart based on our skill set, quality of product and attention to detail. Not to say anyone is better than another, we are just different than each other.

For my own cake business I am the sole and only employee. I am the one person people will initially interact with and follow through. I discuss the details of an order, bake, decorate and deliver your order. I feel this is such a personal touch that most big corporate chains can not offer. I offer high quality ingredients including organic eggs that come from my own chickens and I believe quality makes a world of difference in the dessert world. I also strive to provide positive experiences for my clients, a majority of which are couples seeking wedding cakes and I do not want to be a stressful portion of their planning. I continue to grow my skill set all the time, taking courses to learn or improve new skills, developing new recipes and I think you have to be willing to continue to grow even after you are profitable to remain successful.

I am most excited to see where my business continues to grow in the future. Back when I opened my business I never thought I would be where I am now, ever. I am meeting people in the community who recognize my business name and have had one of my cakes at a wedding or who have heard of me and that is so incredibly exciting in my eyes. I am excited to see how much further my skills will grow and what more I can do as I continue to push myself.

The biggest struggle has definitely been finding work-life balance. Though I absolutely love being a business owner, mom and wife it is incredibly hard to juggle it all. It takes a lot of time and practice and even to this day there are some weeks I struggle, however it is definitely a challenge that is worth the effort in all aspects. I have learned to give myself grace and understand I am doing something amazing while raising two amazing women who will undoubtedly see the rewards in my efforts as well.

Since opening my business in 2021 I have learned so much about owning my own business, making it profitable, growing my skills, re-branding, finding my path, my voice and most importantly finding myself after having kids. I am so thankful I can be an example and I am able to show my daughters they could do whatever they want to succeed in life. They do not have to follow any “typical” career path because those around them say “it’s the safe call”. I have learned being an entrepreneur does not mean you have to be a huge business tycoon but someone who even owns a micro business such as mine can be a successful entrepreneur and thrive. Building my business from nothing, by myself while juggling being a wife and mother has been one of the most challenging and rewarding successes of my life so far and I am so thankful I had the guts to take the plunge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could not have created this business without the encouragement and support of my loving husband, two daughters and my mom (who I have realized is an entrepreneur at heart as well). I also want to give a shoutout to my best friend, Jennifer who really encouraged me initially and what I consider planted the seed that I could sell my desserts. I have also learned so much from so many other local bakers and I am thankful for their friendship and guidance (Kim- UnCommyn Cakes, Annie-Ambrosia Cakes, Jamie-Jaime Cakes).

Website: www.HerLittleCakery.com

Instagram: @HerLittleCakery

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HerLittleCakery

Image Credits
Some pictures provided by kristin bendigo photography