We recently connected with Brooke O’Gara and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brooke, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from my passion. When I truly care about something, I don’t see it as work. I naturally give it 100% because I’m invested in the outcome, especially when my name is attached to it. For example, the moment someone places a custom cake order with me, I immediately start designing it in my head. I’m mentally working on it from that very first moment, thinking through every detail. That level of commitment comes from genuinely loving what I do and wanting every finished product to reflect that
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi, I’m Brooke, also known as Aunt B! I’m the baker and creative mind behind Aunt B’s, a custom cake business I started in 2022 after a very memorable (and slightly disastrous!) attempt at making a unicorn cake for my niece’s birthday. Even though the cake didn’t turn out quite as planned, we had so much fun creating and eating it that it sparked something in me. That was the beginning of Aunt B’s.
What I do is more than just baking cakes, I create edible art for life’s most special moments. Whether it’s a first birthday, a graduation, or a wedding, I love working with clients to design cakes that are just as unique and joyful as the events they’re celebrating. Each cake is custom-made, with attention to every detail and, of course, lots of love (and buttercream!).
The most exciting part for me is getting to be a small part of big memories. I’ve had the honor of making a child’s first birthday cake, and then their second… and now their third! The trust and connection I’ve built with my clients over the years is something I truly cherish.
Since launching Aunt B’s, I’ve expanded from home baking to transforming a full room in my house into a dedicated cake studio. I’ve also recently started offering custom wedding cakes—something I’m especially excited about as I continue to grow. Every new order brings a new creative challenge, and I absolutely love the process of turning someone’s vision into something delicious and beautiful.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Passion and Love for the Work
One of the most impactful qualities in my journey has been having a genuine passion for what I do. I truly care about the cakes I create and the people I create them for. That love and connection are what keep me going, even during the hard days.
Advice: If you’re starting out, make sure your heart is really in it. Passion is what carries you through late nights, tough clients, and learning curves. Let your “why” guide your growth.
2. Willingness to Keep Learning
No matter how long I’ve been doing this, I still take classes, watch tutorials, and try new techniques. The willingness to grow has kept me creative and relevant in an ever-changing industry.
Advice: Stay curious. Invest in your skills regularly. There’s always something new to learn. Don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar; that’s where growth lives.
3. Perspective and Resilience
Not every cake turns out how you imagined, and that’s okay. Learning to accept imperfections, adapt when things go wrong, and take a step back when needed has been essential. At the end of the day, it’s cake! It should bring joy, not stress.
Advice: Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress. Things will go wrong, but they don’t define your worth or talent. Learn from every experience, take a deep breath, and keep going.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was show me, in their own ways, how to believe in myself and take action on my ideas.
From my dad, I learned the value of hard work and creativity. He was the hardest-working person I’ve ever known. Constantly building and creating, from go-karts to entire homes. One of his favorite sayings was, “How about we try Plan 27B?” It always made me laugh, but the message stuck: if something isn’t working, don’t give up, try a new approach. I definitely get my passion and drive from him. When he had an idea, he didn’t just talk about it, he brought it to life. I’m the same way.
My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. Her constant love and encouragement have given me the confidence to keep going, even when things get tough. She believes in me, celebrates my wins (especially my cakes!), and reminds me that I’m capable of anything.
Together, they gave me the tools to work hard, think creatively, and believe in myself, and that has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.auntbssweettreat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntbssweettreat?igsh=cjFudnVlc3lpendy&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1VNMdaT42o/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Those are all my photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
