Meet Jen Hettenhouse | Bespoke Cake Artist

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

Hi Jen, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Technically, I didn’t come up with an idea. My family did. Back in 2010, I was hospitalized and ended up missing my daughter’s first birthday. I was just devastated. I know that she would not have remembered it, but it was such a huge milestone and I felt like a failure as a mother. Sometimes, society places demands on us that we cannot help but feel must happen. Because of my displaced guilt, I insisted I had to go above and beyond for her second birthday. Here I was, someone who had never baked or decorated, trying to create a masterpiece. It was horrible but, not without some raw talent hidden within. I decided that day to try and see where that talent could take me. I had fun in the adventure. Every single success and failure was a moment to learn where I could go. When, in 2017, my daughter asked me to start baking for sale, and to name the business after her, I immediately agreed before even knowing if I would succeed. Since baking began with my love for her, I wanted to see it through and at least try. Today, her and my husband are both my biggest supporters and harshest critics. And if not for either of them, I surely would not be doing what I do today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I LOVE creating three dimensional (3-D) items and cakes. When I first started out, carved cakes terrified me, which is ironic considering my first cake was just that! I love testing my skills on how realistic I can make them look. I love working with gum paste and delight each time people mistake one of my gum paste flowers for a real one. I love being able to test my limits and challenge myself. It is incredibly fulfilling.

It was not always easy though. I learned knives are sharp and can quickly cut a finger deeply when you slip on carving a cake. I learned ganache is a delicious necessity to stability for carved cakes. I learned fruit fillings, while taste, should never be in a carved cake. I learned that to make realistic flowers, you have to invest not in the proper cutters, but in your skill set. It takes a lot of practice. Takes even more if you are self taught, like myself.

I am a strong believer though, that if I can do it, anyone can. You don’t keep practicing until you have it right. You keep practicing until it is easy. Once it is easy, you keep going until it is perfect. The crazy thing is, it will never be perfect. So you just keep going. If there is one thing I can tell the world, it is to never give up. Failures are not failures. Mistakes are not mistakes. They are opportunities to improve and to learn. They are opportunities to prove to yourself you CAN do this. You just have to work for it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh boy! This is a fun one! As an introvert, I would likely just tell them to join me in the back yard by the fire pit and maybe play some horseshoes. I would certainly recommend they visit Caprese, a little Italian eatery our in Buford, the food there is just amazing!

I am a huge fan of “off the beaten path,” so if I really had to draft up an itinerary for my friend, I would be dragging them outside of the city. I would take her out to the Guidestones out in Elbert County. Because of my quirky sense of humor, I would certainly take them out to Barbie Beach over in Turin. I am also a fan of the majestic falls over at Tallulah Gorge State Park and feel it is a must see to anyone coming to Georgia. And if we are out by the Gorge, I feel a trek out to Goats on the Roof or even the Dillard House is a necessity. I think I would also have to take them out to Menlo to check out the unfinished castle out there, nothing screams Medieval like a castle in the middle of Georgia.

Atlanta has a lot of great things to offer, such at the Botanical Gardens and the Aquarium and even The Roof, but I feel to truly experience the real Georgia, you have to go where the crowds and tourists are not.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, there is so many I can mention here. First, my child, for sure. I would have never started doing any of this if not for her. I would have to say she is the biggest inspiration for me. My husband, without a doubt, is my greatest supporter. He does all my store runs, washes the crazy amount of dishes, cleans my kitchen, helps with design ideas, helps me track down custom items I need, and is always willing to jump in and help with baking (not the decorating, you do not want that, trust me) and deliveries. My mother is quick to share every last one of my images with all her friends. And my friends. Wow. I could not do this without them. I piggy back ideas off of them, ask for honest feedback, and they have given me so many referrals, I truly believe they are why I am able to soar.

Website: www.zubcakes.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/zub_cakes

Facebook: www.facebook.com/zubcakes

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zubcakes-buford

Image Credits
Nala Jolie Photography KD Seegars Photography Tiffany Hallmark Studios Trinity Faith Photography Moonstone Photography