Meet Luciana Toriello

We were lucky to catch up with Luciana Toriello recently and have shared our conversation below.

Luciana, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

My Aunt Tracey helped me out with this a lot. Growing up I went to a predominantly white Catholic school and being half Italian and half Mexican with a very unique (at the time) first name I felt so out of place. I had an accent because I use to speak Spanish, I was and still am very short, and from the time I was 8 until I was 21 I use to wear the thickest glasses any one had seen. I never felt like I fit in and most of the kids were not the nicest. To make matters worse when I was 8 my mother died making me the first kid in my class to have only one parent. I was born in the early 80’s and it was not common to have a broken house where I lived. Around the time I turned 14 my aunt saw I want doing well and jumped in as a mother figure for me. She would always stand up for me and supported me with all my decisions. I also noticed that she wouldn’t let anyone walk over her. She was similar in hight and stature as I was and she always would light up a room when she walked in. People respected her and she never had a problem speaking her mind. I would have lunch with her a lot and just watching her was like watching an idol that you wanted to be when you grew up. She would tell me all the time that I could do anything I wanted and to never let anyone say no. I adopted a lot of her wise words and her confidence and over time came into my own and noticed when I walked into a room I received the same amazing energy that I would witness my aunt receive so many times. Unfortunately my aunt passed away about the time I started Lulu’s Custom Cakery and was not able to witness the success I received but I know that she’s watching me and giving me that boost of confidence I need when I walk into a room.

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 am the owner and sole baker of Lulu’s Custom Cakery. I have been in business since March 2018 and work from my home. I take care of my father and working from home gives me the opportunity to be close to him while still being able to creat amazing cakes and desserts. I provide many different desserts and cakes and cater to many different types of dietary needs. One amazing thing about working from home and providing custom desserts is I can have a large selection of different flavors that range from simple to the unique and everything in between. Right now I’m working on some nut free options to some very popular desserts that have gone viral. Having a terrible nut allergy myself I know that it’s hard to find alternatives so I’ve decided to take on the challenge and creat amazing tasting options for those who can’t have nuts or who just don’t like them.

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 had studied fashion design in collage and a lot of the classes I took such as color theory and draping really helped me with the creative aspect of my work. Trial and error also was a huge part of it. I spent two years understanding how the science of baking worked. I’m very particular about my cake and desserts and wanted to make sure I provided my clients with something I would want to eat. Another thing I learned is when it comes to decorating you kind of have to find your own way to do things. Yes there is a structural science behind it but as far as the creative aspect you just have to fly by the seat of your pants. What one baker might do may not work for another. The most important advice I can give to someone who is starting out is have fun, don’t take yourself to seriously, and don’t give up. Practice really does make perfect in the baking world and as with art the beauty is in the eye of the beholder meaning not everyone is going to like what you have and that’s ok. Find your client niche and work with that.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

At the moment I am faced with the challenge of my health. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year and have been trying to figure out how to work through the pain. Taking in to many orders can trigger flair ups but it’s hard to turn down jobs sometimes and by the time I recover from the weekend I have to get back to work which becomes increasingly exhausting. I don’t want to stop what I’m doing as I feel like I’m just starting to reach an amazing point in my career but I also have to remember what will happen if I over work myself. It’s challenging for sure but I know I will get through this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luluscustomcakery.com
• Instagram: @luluscustomcakery
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/lulu-s-custom-cakery-pacific-palisades