Meet Shannon Hovden | Owner, creator at Shannon’s Custom Cakery

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

Hi Shannon, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
How much time actually goes into making a custom creation. I think people have a conception that making a custom cake is a lot like baking a cake with your mom. Pour the mix into pan, bake the cake, let it cool, frost it in the same pan and in an hour you are eating a cake. A custom cake takes so much more time. The baking is similar in length, but the cooling, assembly and decorating takes days. It bums me out when someone calls and asks for a custom cake for a same day pickup. I would love to help them, but it just isn’t possible when you want something customized just for you. That is the reason I offer my grab-and-go cakes. It kind of fills the need for a last minute confection. It gives the customer some customization in their timeframe, but it is always best to book in advance if you want something to perfectly compliment your event.

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.
I got started on my journey due to being a type one diabetic and everything sweet I could eat in the stores tastes horrible, I started experimenting with different recipes and was successful in creating items that tasted good and looked like a normal food item. From there, I started making cookie baskets, for fun, or bringing cake pops to work functions. I loved pot luck days at work so I could bake. I started getting requests and hearing a lot of “you could sell this”. After a couple years of perfecting recipes I launched my business on Facebook. When I got started, I was super excited about making cupcakes, fancy cupcakes. Little did I know cakes would be in demand more than cupcakes. I am 100% self taught in my decorating, and I have gone through a lot of trial and error to get where I am. I have found what works best for me on my business. I wouldn’t say everything was easy for me, I am always learning. I do have an eye for color and decor from my background as an interior designer this has come in handy with cake aesthetics.

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.
my husband and I love The Wassweiler restaurant when we get a date night, we enjoy ice cream at the Big Dipper and I love my loaded teas from Infinte and MTN nutrition.

My family likes to ride the tour train around downtown Helena in the summer and visit the carousel and exploration works for a kid friendly fun day.

We have gone on the gates of the mountain boat tour this summer, that was great.

We have spent a lot of time in the mineral pools at the Broadwater hot-springs and spa. They have amazing pools

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My grandma was big into decorating cakes, I always admired her frosting work and flowers she could create with simple frosting. She has always encouraged and complimented me on my journey. I would show her some of my first cakes and she thought they were the best. Love you more.

My parents have been super supportive of my cake business and have encouraged me along the way to get into a storefront. Help when I needed it and always there to brainstorm ideas.

My husband, Jeremy, is my rock. I am where I am because of him, he believes in my talents and supports me through the crazy.

My children. Thank you for being the light and all of the encouraging words.

Xoxo

Website: https://m.facebook.com/shannonscustomcakery/

Instagram: @shannonscustomcakery

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/shannonscustomcakery/

Image Credits
Yearry photography is the photographer for the family and my personal headshot I am the photographer for my cakes