Meet Deseree Tuttle: Cake Artist, Published Model, & Marketing Manager

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

Hi Deseree, what do you attribute your success to?

I believe I have two important factors behind my success. The first being, I love what I do. period. They always say “love what you do and you will never work a day in your life”. I believe that to be true. My work is an expression of who I am, being able to create works of art for my clients special events and occasions drives my business. During COVID, I really saw that come to light; receiving messages like “you have no idea how much that cake made my daughters ‘covid birthday’”, is all the validation I needed to keep pushing!

My second and probably most important factor would be my son. He is my driving force that pushes me every day. He is only 3, but being able to say to him, “look what mommy did”, is one of the most important factors that keeps me going, striving, and succeeding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe the fact that I don’t compare my work to others is what sets me apart. I genuinely create from the heart. I try my best to create perfect cakes, cupcakes, or sweets for my clients that truly do create a “Sweet Haven” for their special occasions. Honestly, I started out because I want to be “that mom” and create my sons first birthday cake. I created a cake for his first birthday shoot and first birthday party, and that’s all she wrote. I bought books, supplies, watched a million YouTube videos and practiced. It wasn’t easy, many days I was like this just isn’t for. However, a friend of mine was getting married and her venue closed down and wasn’t able to refund their venue costs. Her and her now husband were scrambling to find a new venue and someone to do their cake, and she reached out to me. I created her wedding cake for over 200 people, the biggest cake I had done yet, and it went off without a hitch. From that moment, I started building my brand and my bakery called ‘Sweet Haven’. I believe the biggest lesson I have learned along the way is to stay true to who you are and it’s okay to mess up. I pride myself in creating delicious sweets that are beautiful, most importantly I love adding something sweet and memorable to my clients big days!

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.
Ah! Unfortunately due to COVID and recently moving to the triangle area, I have not been able to do much exploring. However, there are so many adorable places in the area! Bass lake park is such a beautiful space to take walks, go fishing, and just explore on a beautiful day. Plus side on my end, it is right down the street from where I live so my family and I do this often. The NC Museum of Art is one of my favorite places now. The have SO much outdoor space to enjoy a day picnic, but also the museum itself is filled with stunning art. Dj’s Berry patch is an awesome place to go to pick Strawberries, especially in the summer! Lastly, going to a Carolina hurricanes game!

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?
Oh man. There are so many people that I am beyond thankful for. I want to start by thanking all my clients over the past year who have let me create a Sweet Haven for their special occasions. Stylists and Wedding planners who believed in my work. Lastly, my fiancé, Kelly Brooks-Muse, he has been nothing but supportive through my business ventures, all the messy kitchens, and long nights!

Website: www.sweethavenllc.com

Instagram: @sweethaven.bakery

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deseree-tuttle/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweethavenbyray

Image Credits
Mary Daley Photography Samantha Couick Photography Lisa and Sophia-Alchemy and Element Photography Photographs by Stephanie Kristin Deavers