Meet Yessenia Guerra | Cake Artist

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

Hi Yessenia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

My journey into starting my own business was driven by a personal passion for baking, which was initially sparked by watching Cake Boss. Inspired by the show, I decided to try baking, and my very first cake—a three-tiered birthday cake for my sister-in-law (Glendy)—was both a challenge and a labor of love. That experience ignited a genuine passion for the craft. Over time, I made cakes for my family, and eventually a friend took a chance on me (Nayeli). From there, word of mouth within my community helped my business grow.

Baking has evolved from a hobby into a thriving business, and it has become much more than just work for me. It serves as a creative and therapeutic outlet that allows me to express myself and relieve stress. After more than 10 years in business, I can honestly say it doesn’t feel like work because I’m doing something I truly love—a sentiment that resonates with the saying, ‘Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

Social impact: how does your business help the community or the world?

My business has allowed me to create meaningful connections within my community by being a part of special moments in people’s lives. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or another milestone, I’m honored to contribute to celebrations that bring joy to others. The genuine smiles and reactions I receive when clients see their custom cakes are truly rewarding. Ultimately, a cake symbolizes more than just a dessert; it represents togetherness and the importance of sharing precious moments with loved ones. Knowing that my work helps foster those connections and celebrations is incredibly fulfilling.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I view risk as an essential part of growth and progress, both personally and professionally. When I first started my business, there was certainly an element of uncertainty, but I knew that taking calculated risks would open doors to new opportunities. Whether it’s experimenting with new cake designs, expanding my product offerings, or navigating the challenges of growing a business, I’ve learned that risk-taking is often necessary to evolve and stay competitive. While risks come with their challenges, they have played a pivotal role in shaping my career and have allowed me to push beyond my comfort zone, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment.

If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?

As a parent, one of the most impactful things I believe I’ve done is demonstrate the importance of hard work, dedication, and following one’s passions. Over the past 10 years, I have successfully balanced a full-time career in email marketing at Rooftop Digital while pursuing my passion for cake making on the weekends. Although this balance has presented its challenges, it has been incredibly fulfilling. I also prioritize creating an environment where my children understand the value of hard work, while emphasizing the importance of family time, creativity, and personal well-being. My hope is that these lessons will carry over into their own lives, guiding them not only in their careers but in all aspects of their personal journeys. My daughters are my biggest supporters, and my husband plays an essential role as my delivery driver. Their constant encouragement has been a key motivator, helping me grow both professionally and creatively, while also nurturing a deep sense of resilience and creativity within our family.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is a genuine passion for what I do, combined with a commitment to delivering high-quality, personalized products. Consistency, attention to detail, and a focus on continuous growth have also played key roles in the brand’s success. I am incredibly grateful for my customers, as their trust and willingness to embrace my creative ideas have been essential to my success. Their support allows me to think outside the box and consistently deliver unique, personalized creations. I truly believe that my business would not be where it is today without their loyalty and encouragement. It’s a privilege to work with such wonderful clients who make my passion for what I do even more rewarding.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?

As long as God and my health permit, and with the support of my family and the trust of my customers, I remain deeply committed to pursuing my passion for baking and creating special cakes. The belief others have in my work is a constant source of motivation, driving me to keep moving forward. I find fulfillment and joy in bringing happiness to others through my craft, and as long as that passion continues, I will continue. Giving up is not an option for me—doing what I love and finding meaning in it keeps me dedicated to this journey.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

I believe that when something is truly important to you, you make time for it. Over time, I’ve learned that life requires constant balancing and setting clear boundaries between work and personal life has become essential. I prioritize family, friends, and personal time, and to ensure I stay on track, I use a calendar to highlight key events like birthdays, anniversaries, school activities, holidays, and trips. This helps me take time off from work and be fully present with my loved ones. I make it a point to never choose my career over family, as I want them to always feel supported and valued. By maintaining this balance, I’m able to nurture my relationships and remain focused, happy, and fulfilled in both my personal and professional life.

What makes you happy? Why?
 
What makes me happy is being surrounded by a loving and supportive family. I’m incredibly grateful to be raising two intelligent, kind, and loving daughters, and to have the world’s most wonderful husband, who continuously shows me patience, encouragement, and endless love. I am also blessed with eight godchildren, who bring even more joy into my life. I find happiness in living in the moment, appreciating the small joys, and making others smile. Additionally, the unwavering support of my close-knit group of friends, who have become like family, is truly invaluable to me. Life wouldn’t be the same without these amazing people with whom I share beautiful memories. Together, all of these elements truly fill my heart and contribute to the happiness I experience every day.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

My journey into the creative field began with a simple, yet powerful, moment of inspiration. After watching a TV show featuring beautifully decorated cakes, I felt compelled to try it myself. While my first attempts weren’t perfect, I quickly learned that practice is key to improvement. What started as curiosity soon evolved into a passion for cake baking and decorating. I was captivated by the idea of transforming something as simple as sugar into intricate, artistic creations. Over time, this spark grew into a deep love for the craft, and I realized I could combine my creativity with my desire to create visually stunning and delicious works of art.

How do you define success?

To me, success is defined by the positive impact I have on others and the relationships I build along the way. It’s about inspiring people and creating meaningful connections. I measure my success not only by the quality of my work but by the lasting bonds I’ve formed with clients—many of whom have become friends. The opportunity to be a part of their lives, from making their baby shower cakes to celebrating milestone birthdays, is incredibly fulfilling and something I deeply cherish.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work centers around creating custom cakes that are not only visually stunning but also delicious. What sets me apart is my commitment and dedication to the craft. I take great pride in designing cakes that reflect my clients’ personalities and the unique vision for their special occasions. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or corporate event, each cake is a unique creation, meticulously crafted to tell a story through its design and flavor.

The journey to where I am today has been both rewarding and challenging. It certainly wasn’t easy, and there were many moments of self-doubt along the way. Starting out, I faced the typical challenges of building a business from the ground up, learning the technical aspects of cake decorating, managing the business side, and gaining the trust of my community. But through persistence, learning from my mistakes, and continually pushing myself to improve, I was able to overcome these obstacles. I’ve learned that success in this industry requires a balance of creativity, technical skill, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

What I’m most excited about is how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally. I’m incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients, many of whom have become friends over the years. Their trust and support have been key to my growth and success.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that my work is not just about making cakes, it’s about making meaningful connections and creating experiences. I pour my heart and soul into every cake I make, and I am passionate about bringing joy and beauty to people’s lives through my craft. Ultimately, I want my work to reflect my belief that when you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Lucky for me, my best friend Fany is local, so I already know exactly what we enjoy doing together! If I didn’t see her every day, I’d make sure to spend as much quality time as possible, catching up on life in person. If I were to plan an ideal week for us, I’d start with a relaxing morning, grabbing coffee from Starbucks to ease into the day. For lunch, we’d head to In-N-Out for a casual meal, followed by a binge-watch of House of the Dragon and some emotional, sad movies to cry over, just the way best friends do.

In the evenings, we’d venture to local escape rooms for a bit of adventure, then unwind with a casual dinner at either Buffalo Wild Wings or Yard House. Since Fany loves theme parks, we’d dedicate one day to visiting Universal Studios, her favorite park.

To satisfy our cravings, I’d take her to Din Tai Fung so we could indulge in their amazing dumplings. We’d also take a scenic drive to the beach and enjoy a stunning sunset while having dinner from a taco truck, making the most of the view and good company.

No trip would be complete without visiting some of my favorite local spots. We’d kick off one morning with breakfast at a new brunch spot of her choice, complete with unlimited mimosas. For lunch or dinner, we’d go to Zenor Sushi, our go-to for incredible sushi. We’d also unwind at Casa Torres, where we can enjoy live music and cold beers. To wrap up the week, we’d head out for a fun night of drinks and dancing in WeHo. And, of course, no night would be complete without grabbing a hot dog from a local LA vendor — the perfect way to end the evening! It’s all about enjoying the best local experiences and making lasting memories together.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family, especially my husband Hugo, who has been my greatest supporter, counselor, cake delivery driver, and best friend. His encouragement to step outside of my comfort zone and his unwavering support, especially during moments of self-doubt, have empowered me to pursue my passion with confidence and determination.

I am also deeply appreciative of my friends for their ongoing support and motivation, as well as to my clients, whose belief in my potential has been invaluable from the very beginning. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my clients, who have trusted me with their most cherished moments, allowing me to continue doing what I love each day.

Website: https://www.yessiescakes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yessiescakes/

Twitter: https://x.com/yessiescakes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yessiescakes