When I first started my baking journey, I dreamed of building a community and making an impact in a meaningful way.
However, my path was far from traditional, and it came with its own set of surprises.
My first viral video reached over 2 million views and brought in thousands of new followers, yet I felt unprepared.
Looking back, I’ve realized that the journey to building a brand isn’t just about creating content; it’s about creating meaningful content and connecting with your audience in an authentic way.
This is how I found my voice, learned to build a community, and set up my brand for long-term success.
In this post, I’ll share the key lessons that I’ve learned along the way to help other bakers, creators, and entrepreneurs find their own voices and reach their goals.
1. Understand the Power of Going Viral—And Be Ready for It
When my video hit 2 million views, I thought I’d “made it.”
But what I quickly realized was that I hadn’t set up the right systems to capture that traffic and convert those viewers into loyal followers.
People were visiting my website, leaving comments, and looking for ways to connect, but I didn’t have an email list, a well-organized shop, or even a consistent content schedule.
Lesson: If you’re serious about content creation, prepare for growth in advance.
Setting up an email list, a website, and other tools can help you capture new followers when the opportunity arises.
Even a basic setup can make a huge difference in how well you convert those new eyes into loyal followers.
2. Don’t Let Fear Stop You from Sharing Your True Story
The first time I shared why I stopped calling myself the “Cheap Cake Lady,” I was nervous.
This wasn’t just a story about cakes—it was about my journey, my struggles, and my goals.
The comments poured in, and I replied to each one, some supportive, some critical.
People will have their own opinions, and that’s okay.
For me, the goal became staying true to who I was and focusing on helping other women, bakers, and creators who could resonate with my journey.
Lesson: Don’t shy away from sharing your story. Authenticity attracts the right audience and sets you apart. If you’re open and transparent about your experiences, your followers will feel connected to you on a deeper level.
3. Consistency Is Key (Even When It’s Hard)
One of my biggest challenges has been consistency.
The reality is, if you’re not “feeding the algorithm,” you’re missing out on opportunities.
After my viral video, I realized I needed to keep my audience engaged, but staying consistent with content is easier said than done.
A tip I learned along the way is to repurpose content, especially if you’re short on time.
If I create a blog post, I’ll also make a video, a podcast episode, and share snippets on social media.
This way, I’m able to stay active across different platforms without constantly creating brand-new content.
Lesson: Focus on repurposing your content across different channels.
This will not only help you stay consistent but also save time and energy.
4. Don’t Just Create—Promote!
We often spend 80% of our time creating and only 20% promoting, but this needs to be flipped. One mistake I made early on was thinking my content would “speak for itself.”
The reality is, without promotion, even the best content can go unnoticed.
Lesson: If you want to grow your brand, focus on promoting more than you create.
That means sharing your content on social media, reaching out to collaborators, and encouraging your audience to engage with your posts.
Your content deserves to be seen!
5. Focus on Impact, Not Just Followers
It’s easy to get caught up in follower counts, especially when you’re new to content creation.
But over time, I’ve realized that the true measure of success is impact.
For me, it’s about building a brand that adds value to my community—through tutorials, insights, or simply sharing my journey.
When I finally found my voice and started sharing the realities of the baking world, I noticed that people were connecting with me in a much more meaningful way.
They weren’t just there for the cakes; they were there because my story and perspective resonated with them.
Lesson: Instead of focusing on followers, focus on the value you’re providing.
What impact do you want to have on your audience?
How can you help them, inspire them, or make their lives better?
6. Embrace Authenticity Over Aesthetics
In the early days, I didn’t worry about having the perfect aesthetic for my brand. I just recorded and shared what felt real to me. My background wasn’t always picture-perfect, and my posts didn’t always “match” perfectly. And yet, this approach allowed me to create content consistently and authentically.
Lesson: If you’re holding back because you feel like your content isn’t “perfect,” let that go. Authenticity is more important than aesthetics. Your audience will connect with the real you, not just a curated version of you.
7. Find Your Own Voice and Lean Into It
The moment I stopped focusing on what others thought and started sharing my own truth, I felt like I found my voice.
My journey as a baker, the struggles, the victories, and even my decision to stop selling cakes became the foundation of my story.
I realized that I didn’t need to follow someone else’s path. I just needed to be me.
Lesson: Find your voice and lean into it. Your unique perspective is what will set you apart and attract the right audience for your brand.
You don’t have to be like everyone else; just be yourself and share what you believe in.
Final Thoughts:
Building a brand, especially in the baking and content creation space, is a journey that requires a lot of self-reflection, resilience, and yes, some hard lessons along the way.
If you’re just starting out, my advice is this: Don’t just focus on the numbers, focus on the value you’re providing.
Be prepared, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to share your story.
In the end, content creation isn’t just about making money or going viral—it’s about building something meaningful, connecting with people, and making a positive impact.
Whether you’re a baker, a creator, or an entrepreneur, remember to stay true to yourself and enjoy the process.
Ready to start your own journey? Sign up for my email list for more insights, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes of my baking and content creation journey. JOIN HERE