Meet Jorie Hodapp | Baker & Grad Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jorie Hodapp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jorie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Well, considering I was 12 years old, the only thought process I can claim is that I wanted to make some money, but I had no desire to babysit, which is the only viable income for a pre-teen. I started out by taking some cake decorating classes with a friend and my mom (because we were too young to take the classes by ourselves), and after about a year of practicing on friends and family, I started turning out a product that people were actually willing to pay for. It kind of morphed itself into a business before I could really understand what was even happening, and I tried to figure it out as I went along.

I sold cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, school functions, and anything else that came up. And then I worked with my first bride when I was 16, as a sophomore in high school, and was hooked on the industry. The chance for a couple to choose me to be a part of one of the biggest days of their lives is just an incomprehensible compliment. I just love making cakes and connecting with people, and having a small business became my outlet to do both of those. Now, about 12 years later, I couldn’t imagine doing life any other way. I guess this is one of those times when I didn’t really choose the business, but the business chose me, and I will forever be grateful to have a place in the entrepreneurial world.

What should our readers know about your business?
I want the world to know that every person deserves to be celebrated; every birthday is special, every milestone is important, and every life is unique. It just so happens that at most of these celebrations, we naturally find a cake. And that’s how I love the world — with cake! My business journey has been more of a passion journey than anything. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s never felt like work. With each order, I have the opportunity to go above and beyond the customer’s expectations for a cake and to make that celebration just that much more exciting. I love to decorate, design, and sculpt a cake to life. With that comes the utmost standards for taste — it means nothing if your piece of art doesn’t taste good! With that, I only serve customers what I would be proud to serve at my own party. I believe in doing things the right way, even when it’s difficult or creates more work. And I definitely believe in doing everything in my power to create happy customers. Which was a big learning curve, realizing that not everyone has a taste for my products, and that it’s virtually impossible to make everyone happy. I’ve found a niche in the cake world and I’m sticking to it because I believe in it and feel called to serve people in that way. I love what I do because every day I get to wake up and get to know customers during their most intimate life events — getting married, having a baby, graduating high school or college, retiring — I feel blessed that, as just a baker, I get to experience these things along with so many people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve been in the ATL area for only six years, most of which spent on a rural college campus outside of the city. So my idea of an Atlanta day might be boring to most. The first thing that comes to mind is going to IKEA (I know, so original), then wandering around Ponce City Market, visiting every coffee shop, café, and bakery in a reasonable distance, and shopping through all the TJ Maxx stores. I always have to take a drive or a walk through Olympic Park and drive past Mercedes-Benz stadium and stare at how massive it is. My favorite spot is the Battery, which is where I’d probably spend too many weekends if I lived closer. A Braves game would 100% be on the itinerary!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Although I’ve been blessed with mentors and advisors in each stage of life and business, I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my grandfather, Ted Guarasci. He owned a successful grocery store in Ohio, and I have no doubt my entrepreneurial spirit and love of being in the kitchen came directly from him. Over the years he’s had an answer for every question and an easy way of putting everything back into perspective. His default is to work hard, love harder, and never, ever let you leave hungry. And those are things I’ll carry with me wherever I go.

Website: joriecakesllc.com

Instagram: joriecakes_

Linkedin: Jorie Hodapp

Facebook: Jorie Cakes

Image Credits
Loveleigh Co. Photography Tommy Bruning