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

Hi Katie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to create something that I wasn’t seeing- a fitness brand geared toward women (inclusive of everyone that wants to be there too!) But focused on strengthening the body, with focus on the booty! (As it is the foundation of strength in our bodies.) But also incorporating the element of spiritual fitness consistently throughout. We focus on the 3 foundation layers of Mind, Booty, and Soul. I’ve always thought it was irresponsible to focus all that attention on the booty, without also doing the same work for the soul.

What should our readers know about your business?
I founded theBAKESHOP back in 2015 on a whim! Having been a certified personal trainer and one of the top trainers at the company I worked for at the time, Equinox, I was looking for a way to carve out my nitche, booty building, without the stigma that comes along with it. When the idea of theBAKESHOP came up, I knew it was a great way serve up all the booty work I wanted to be known for but in a cheeky and fun way. It first started with just merch and Instagram posts, and over the years has evolved into a whole Menu of classes in our online platform, theKITCHEN, to events, and pop ups, and in person classes in LA, and a whole community of strong and inspired women (and men!) coming together under the foundational pilars of Mind.Bootyand Soul. The thing I’m most proud of about this business is that I didn’t give up. There’s been many times when I’ve questioned why I’m doing this, and thought it might be so much easier to give it all up and go work for someone else. But I think it would feel like giving up on my whole being. The values, message, and inspiration I hope to reach and connect with people on, are who I am… it’s what I believe I’m meant to do in this Iife. I faced death when I was 18 when I survived a sudden cardiac arrest. Since then I’ve lived with a pacemaker and a defibrillator to keep my heart from stopping again. I’ve made choices in my life because of that moment that have led me to now. It’s why I became a personal trainer. I wanted to help others find the spiritual clarity that I found in my own workouts after that incident. I wanted others to know how strong they can be and how they can push past barriers just as I did. All of that is tied up into my purpose and why I’ve chosen this path and chosen theBAKESHOP. Not only that, but if I gave up on this business , I’d be giving up on the dream of being a business other women (and men!) can get involved in. I want to encourage and hold a space for other instructors and fitness professionals to see themselves thrive in. theBAKESHOP is more than just me. It really is a community of leaders and motivators, and those looking for that leadership and inspiration. That’s what I’m most excited about as we continue to build this business- just all the ways that it will take on meaning for everyone involved. I have big dreams for this little business and I know we’ll see those realized and more!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm… first, I’d take them up to the beach in Malibu. That’s where I go to “get away from it all,” and is absolutely one of the places I’m most proud of out here. Then we’d probably hit up my fav Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica, Lula’s on Main St. Their margaritas will take you in the vortex! Lol. We’d definitely go hiking in the Santa Monica mountains and the Hollywood Hills for all the views. We’d then go over to the new Mr T’s restaurant, to check out the scene. Lol We’d have to do some sunset beach workouts. And would definitely take a day to get out on a boat and spend the day relaxing in the ocean!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Really and truly the credit goes to theCAKESQUAD as a whole. Each and every person that’s taken a class, become a member of this community, held it down and spread the word! That’s where the true credit goes. Without theCAKESQUAD, the community of strong, uplifting womxn, (and some men!) – without them, theBAKESHOP would be nothing. And they’re what keeps me going each day.

Website: BAKESHOPFITNESS.com

Instagram: @katiecakecakecakecake and @bakeshopfitness

Youtube: Katie Cakes BakeShop

Other: A Piece of Cake: the podcast on all major platforms

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