We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Latice Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Latice , thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
To overcome or avoid burnout. I will say don’t try to do everything and learn how to say no. In the cake industry we feel like we need to do cakes and treats just to try and keep up with the latest trend. Don’t do that, do what you’re comfortable with and so no to the rest. If you’re no comfortable with a theme or design a customer sends over. Say no in the most polite way.
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?
I’m Latice. Owner of Sweet Tooth Custom Cakes. As well as season 2 winner of Food Network Canada Great Chocolate Showdown. What most people don’t know about me is that I’m super shy. lol. Weird huh? I know, being in a career field where I have to talk to complete strangers all the time. However I do have exciting news. My bakery is actually moving to its forts shared storefront come February/March 2024. I’m super excited about that. I haven’t even posted that information on social media yet. ☺️
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say 1. If you’re given constructive criticism. Don’t sit on it too long. Admit what went wrong and use that as a learned lesson.
2. Understand that not everyday will be a good cake day. Someday you will just be off your game. (It happens to us all, you’re human)
3. Find the one thing you’re great at and work it over and over and over. That’s your niche and that’s what will set you apart from the rest.
4. (Extra credit) don’t compare your craft to anyone else’s. You’re in your own lane minding your own business.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
The biggest thing for me last year was sticking to my cake schedule. It helped me stay on top of things. What I mean about a schedule is. Pick a day to do all your baking, icing your cakes, decorating your cakes. Pick a day and stick to it no matter how big or small the job is.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweettoothcc.com
- Instagram: Sweettoothcc
- Youtube: Sweettoothcc
- Other: TikTok Sweet Tooth Custom Cakes.
