Inspiring Conversations with Andee Davis of Mad Cakes

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andee Davis

Hi Andee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began my cake journey in 2016. I worked at Hy-Vee as a bakery clerk, and the cake decorators at the time — Melissa and Nikki would teach me to the basics when we had extra time. I started off rocky, but eventually learned the skills of cake decorating. As time passed, Nikki found a better job which left Melissa as the only cake decorator, and gave me the opportunity to get promoted to the 2nd cake decorator. Some more time went by, and Melissa left too, leaving me as the only decorator. During this time, I was posting my work on social media, and gained a few clients at Hy-Vee. I was also in charge of every aspect of the cake designing part of the bakery. I consulted, answered the phone, helped walk in customers, did all of the ordering, fulfilled product to the floor, fulfilled custom orders, opened, closed; little did I know what God was preparing me for. I enjoyed my job, but I felt I was not being paid my worth. I think I was making about $9/ hr.

Fast forward to 2017, I found a better job offer and left Hy-Vee, and I thought cakes too. This was the best job I was ever going to find pay wise. I closed that chapter and worked my new job. While I worked there, I received several inquiries from people who wanted cakes from me still. I would reply “I’m sorry, I don’t work there anymore” and decline the order. This went on for about 6 months, and I finally said to myself “I don’t need Hy-Vee to make cakes for people.” I then proceeded to stock up on cake supplies, and I took the next order someone wanted. This was in May of 2018, and that’s where Mad Cakes all began.

In 2018 I worked my full time job, and began to build my cake business out of my parents house. Surprisingly, I actually did not know how to bake a cake. My mom is an excellent baker, so she baked my cakes for me for about the first six months. As business picked up, it became too much for my mom to do, so she then taught me. I worked from my parents house until 2020 then moved business to my house because by this point I was very busy with cakes + I still had my full time job, and this was more convenient.

Fast forward to April of 2022, I sustained business consistently enough to maintain my lifestyle, and I quit my job. Summer of 2022, my grandmother saw this building for sale that was a perfect location. My family & I toured it, and bought it a few weeks later.

This building was a plumbers office for several decades, and was extremely outdated. There was a ton of work to be done. I have an amazing support system and my dad literally just made my vision happen. He is the best Dad! Even though it took almost 2 years to open, it was worth every minute. I’m so thankful to be at this point.

November 29, 2023 Mad Cakes officially opened our first brick and mortar. Inside Mad Cakes you will find the cutest bakery you’ve ever visited. We specialize in a build-your-own cupcake bar, rolled ice cream, and custom cakes. We are located at 10402 E State Route 350, Raytown MO 64138. Our hours of operation are currently Wednesday-Thursday: 1pm-9pm
Friday: 1pm-10pm
Saturday: 12pm-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s has been the furthest thing from a smooth road. Along the way I have made errors in orders, errors in my schedule. Things I feel just had to happen in order for me to grow and learn. When the process for licensing began that was very difficult because the city is very strict and specific. I initially bought an oven and a cooler that I couldn’t technically use so we had to sell it and find another. There were several minor bumps in the road, but this was brand new to me & my family so was room for a learning curve.

We’ve been impressed with Mad Cakes, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mad Cakes specializes in custom cakes. We make cakes and cupcakes for all occasions.

In our storefront you will find rolled ice cream and a BYO cupcake bar, amongst other small treats.

Our cupcake bar is what sets us apart from other bakeries. In other bakeries you are only able to buy what they already have made. At Mad Cakes all cupcakes are made to order to each customers preference. You can get your favorite cupcake every time, or try new flavors any time. Here’s how it works:

1) Choose cupcake flavor: white, chocolate, strawberry, vegan.

2) Choose icing flavor: vanilla, chocolate Oreo, strawberry, cream cheese, vegan.

3) Choose up to 3 toppings: Oreo, Biscoff, graham crackers, strawberry crunch, mint Oreos, peppermint, gummy bears, sour gummy worms, fruity pebbles, marshmallows, heath bar, Reese’s, snickers, cake crumbs, coconut, brownies, cookie dough, M&M, sprinkles, pecans, walnuts, black walnuts, fresh strawberries, fresh banana, pineapple tidbits, cherries, cool whip
Syrups: butterscotch, caramel, marshmallow, chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry.

I’m most proud of the cupcake bar because there is no other place in the state that offers this. In fact, there is only 1 other state in the country that has something like this, and ours is still different from theirs.

Additionally, we specialize in rolled ice cream. This process consists of pouring our homemade liquid ice cream base onto a freezing cold surface, and create each ice cream made to order. We have a menu of delicious flavors you can choose from, or you can also build your own ice cream.

Our flavors:
1) Banana Boat: Vanilla base / banana/ chocolate syrup/ fresh strawberry
2) Butter Pecan: Vanilla base / pecans / butterscotch syrup
3) Black Walnut: Vanilla base / black walnuts
4) Brownie Bliss: vanilla base / brownie / chocolate syrup/ chocolate chips
5) Birthday Bash: Vanilla base / sprinkles / syrup of choice / cake crumbs
6) Pebble Paradise: Vanilla base / fruity pebbles/ condensed milk
7) Peanut Butter Blast: Vanilla base / Reese’s/ peanut butter syrup/ chocolate syrup
8) Strawberry Shortcake: Vanilla base/ fresh strawberry / strawberry crunch/ strawberry syrup
9) Oreo Obsession: Vanilla base/ Oreo/ chocolate syrup
10) Butter Biscoff: Vanilla base/ Biscoff / butterscotch syrup/ fresh banana
11) Cookie Crumble: Vanilla base/ cookie dough/ Oreo/ chocolate syrup
12) Sum’More s’mores: Vanilla base / graham crackers / chocolate syrup/ marshmallow syrup/ mini marshmallows

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I believe the most surprising thing people learn about me is that ironically, I don’t like cake. As a kid I would request a different dessert for my birthday because I didn’t want cake. Everyone is always shocked by that.

Pricing:

• BYO Cupcakes are $5 each. 6/$27 12/$55
• One size rolled ice cream $6.89 + tax
• Custom cakes $150 +

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ordermadcakes.com
• Instagram: ordermadcakes
• Facebook: Mad Cakes