We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nora Abajyan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nora, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
For me, creativity is like a recipe — it needs the right ingredients and care to keep it fresh.
I stay inspired by constantly exploring new flavor combinations, following seasonal trends, and experimenting with different textures and designs. I also find a lot of ideas in everyday life — from colors in nature to patterns in fashion and art.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the owner and cake artist behind Cake ‘n’ Bake, a custom bakery where we create cakes and desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Baking has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and over the years it’s grown into a business that allows me to bring people’s sweetest dreams to life.
What I love most about what I do is that every order tells a story — whether it’s a wedding, birthday, baby shower, or any milestone, I get to translate emotions and memories into edible art. We don’t just bake cakes; we create centerpieces that become part of people’s most treasured moments.
Our specialty is designing custom cakes with intricate details, modern textures, and unique flavor pairings. I believe in using high-quality ingredients and putting equal attention into taste and presentation, so every slice is as memorable as the first glance.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:
1. Creativity & Vision – Being able to imagine a cake beyond just flavors and shapes, and seeing it as a piece of art. I’ve learned that inspiration can come from anywhere — a fabric pattern, a flower arrangement, even a building’s architecture.
Advice: Expose yourself to different forms of art, design, and culture. Keep a sketchbook or mood board to capture ideas as they come.
2. Persistence & Adaptability – Running a bakery means facing last-minute changes, challenging designs, and unexpected obstacles (like a cake that doesn’t cooperate!). Staying calm and finding quick solutions has been essential.
Advice: See every challenge as a learning opportunity. The more situations you navigate, the stronger and more confident you’ll become.
3. Customer Connection & Service – Cakes are personal — they’re part of people’s biggest moments. Building genuine relationships with clients has led to trust, loyalty, and repeat business.
Advice: Listen more than you speak when working with customers. Understand their vision deeply, then exceed their expectations.
At the heart of it, my advice for anyone starting out is this: perfect your craft, stay open to learning, and never lose sight of why you started. Skills can be taught, but passion and persistence are what carry you through the journey.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’ve been blessed with a few key people who have shaped my journey, but the most helpful has been my family. From the very beginning, they’ve been my support system — tasting endless recipe trials, helping with deliveries, and encouraging me through late nights in the kitchen.
On the professional side, I’ve also been inspired by fellow bakers and cake artists who generously share their techniques and experiences. Watching their journeys and learning from their successes (and mistakes) has given me the confidence to take risks and push my creativity further.
In short, I wouldn’t be where I am without that combination of personal encouragement and professional inspiration. They’ve taught me that while talent and skill matter, it’s the people who believe in you that give you the strength to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cakenbakecakes.com/
- Instagram: cake_n_bake_cakes
- Facebook: Cake ‘n’ Bake
- Yelp: Cake N Bake
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
