By Ariana Marquez
The local business, “BC Cakes” located in Visalia, California is a cake company dedicated to making treats for locals around the city for birthdays, graduation parties, and so much more!
Becca Torres, the cake artist behind “BC Cakes” says, “I use social media such as Instagram and Facebook to connect with customers. I am a licensed home business so I don’t have a storefront and everything I make is made to order. I get most of my customers through Instagram. With the pandemic, I had several orders get canceled or dates changed and I worried my business wouldn’t make it. I started advertising on my page smaller size 5” and 6” cakes buttercream cakes. I’ve always offered them, but didn’t make them as often because people usually had parties of 30-50 people or more.”
She adds, “I used phrases like ‘birthdays are not canceled’ to emphasize that even though parties are canceled you can still celebrate small. I didn’t want to be part of the problem so I only offered these size cakes. I use the hashtag on my Instagram #bccakesquarentinecakes.”
She continues with, “The challenge they faced was how to celebrate their loved ones during the quarantine. I offered easy ordering, online payments, and no contact pick up or delivery. Many customers needed a cake on their loved ones’ actual birthday. Meaning if their birthday was Monday, that was the day they would be celebrating at home with just immediate family.”
She follows with, “Before the pandemic, I usually got orders for the weekend because that’s when they would have the parties. But because the pandemic canceled parties, my customers needed their cake on any day during the week. So I adapted and made myself available for orders Monday-Sunday. I had small size cake orders but I had a higher volume of orders for the seven days of the week.”
She then adds, “I make custom cakes and can do any theme and have 10+ years experience. I specialize in custom hand-made toppers, I have made several smaller size cakes with hippos, Care Bears, pug, etc. I have been only offering 5” and 6” buttercream cakes during the quarantine because it is a little less expensive and less time-consuming than fondant cakes.”
She also says, “I don’t offer healthy alternatives or egg, sugar, or milk-free options. I stick to my main cake flavors and fillings and don’t offer outside of those. My passion is decorating and I like to have a consistent product so I stick to what works. If I have someone who has a peanut allergy, I make sure to note it and that cake is treated differently as to not cross-contaminate with another order that may have a peanut butter filling.”
She says, “My business slowed the first week everything shut down. But I adapted and offered dye cupcake decorating kits and delivered them to people stuck at home for several weeks. That kept my business busy as it was very popular. Then I started advertising small-size custom cakes and because my customers were able to go anywhere special, or have a party they were very happy to get a custom cake for their loved ones. I offered delivery, curbside pick-up, and no contact porch pick-up.”
She ends with, “My business has been very busy. With things slowly opening up and parties resuming, my business is still busy and I am now making cakes for larger parties. I currently have booked weekends and am trying to keep up with the demand. I am optimistic that whatever happens my business is essential. I am grateful to all my customers for supporting me and allowing me to be a part of their special day.”
If you want to check out “BC Cakes” for any celebration that may need a sweet treat check out @bccakesvisalia on Instagram for desserts to celebrate any occasion!
Tags: Ariana Marquez, BC Cakes, clubs & lifestyles, desserts, instagram, local businesses, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, shoplocal