Conversations with Leslie Pippin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Pippin.

Hi Leslie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always loved to bake and (after my daughter was born in 1983) realized that I could make a living doing what I truly love. AND do it from home. That’s when I started Classic Cakes. Today, my daughter Lindsay and husband Steve help with different aspects of the business.

A friend suggested I focus on my passion for weddings, and that’s exactly what I did. After taking classes on the fine art of assembling cakes taller than me, I spent time using neighbors, friends and family as my ‘guinea pigs’ for new recipes. After all, most wedding cakes look beautiful but are dry and tasteless. My mission was to create cakes that people would talk about long after the wedding!

Many of my clients have been music industry, sports and tv personalities. I feel God has blessed me with a talent I didn’t expect, and so my goal is to bless others with what He’s given me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am my worst critic! Plus, I always treat people the way I’d want to be treated…….even if it means voluntarily returning a part of the cost of a cake because it didn’t turn out like I had planned. I think being fair, honest, and a good communicator has helped to avoid a lot of the pitfalls and struggles that businesses face. Again…….always use the ‘Golden Rule’.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My best work is in the wedding industry. In my world, I only take one wedding a day, so I ‘baby-sit’ each and every cake, making sure nothing gets over-baked and dry. Personal attention to detail, jumping in to help wherever needed upon arrival at the venue, flowers, running a last minute errand for someone, etc. is part of what I do. Large bakeries just can’t do that.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid-19 put everybody in new, unknown territory. The biggest challenge was trying to juggle and balance everybody and their changing wedding dates or modifying the guest counts.

Pricing:

• Cakes start @ $5.00 per serving
• Specialty/torted cakes @ $5.50 per serving
• Fondant cakes @ $6.00 per serving

Contact Info:

• Email: weddingcake@comcast.net
• Website: http://www.classiccakes.net
• Instagram: ClassiccakesbyLeslie
• Facebook: Classic Cakes by Leslie