Meet Chayla Turner: Cake Decorating Instructor and Manager at Mymakestudio

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

Hi Chayla, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My name is Chayla Turner. I’m form a small town in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a very help you neighbor type of place but it’s not the most creative place in the world. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. This helped me be comfortable with standing out and doing things differently and against the norm. I was raised by a single mother. Watching her conquer life gave me the strength and attitude that I could do anything I set my mind to. Because of my upbringing and where I come I didn’t run form the opportunity to move to Denver, instead I embarrassed it and looked forward to the new adventure. My past has turned me into the confident successful cupcake queen that I am and I love that I get to help others with there creativity and passions! 

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.
What I’m most proud of making a difference in peoples lives. When adults or children want to tackle decorating a cake or cupcakes and come across as nervous I am able to assist them and show them ways to achieve there goals and have fun at the same time. I love that I can also help encourage ideas. I strongly believe that cake and cupcakes are art that you can eat! All art is unique and so are you. I got where I am to professionally with a lot of hard work, dedication, creativity, and a little bit of luck and magic. I started working on cakes in high school with Pam Kendrick. I then attended Platt college for culinary arts. After that I worked for Nothing Bundt Cakes for several years . Thanks to them my first ever cake that I baked was featured in The Oklahoma Bride. Because of my work with Nothing Bundt Cakes I was able to transition to Denver. 4 1/2 years ago LInda Sudowski gave me a chance and together we have accomplished so much. Getting where I am today was by no means was easy. Oklahoma does not have the same opportunity for pastry arts as other states. I dealt with lack of believe form others in what I wanted to achieve. My dedication to my goals has given me a lot of long nights and missed holidays but it was all worth it in the end and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I over came my challenges by stubbornness inherited form my mother, I refuse to give up. I also overcame these challenges by believing in myself and trusting my loved ones when the believed in me. The lessons I have learned along the way is to trust in your believes and your vison. Follow your passion and never be afraid to be who you are. I want the world to know about me is that its ok to be weird and quirky. Stay creative! You never know how much something you do will inspire some else.

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.
If I had a friend coming for a week long visit I would make sure to take her to Osaka Ramen the food is amazing and the kitchen manger is pretty cute ( he’s my fiancé lol) . Union station is one of my favorite places to go. I would take her to The Edgewater Public market. The market has tons of great food that you can sample and great drinks! On top of that its where Mymakestudio is located! Food ,drinks, decorate cupcakes, yes please! I would also take her hiking in the foothills or anywhere else she wanted to go for a good hiking time. Colorado has so many amazing spots its hard to pick just one! Because I love creativity I would also take her to Upstairs Cirrus . After many adventures I would also take my friend to Studio3sixty. This place is very dear to my heart and its a great place to have fun and get a good work out in while your at it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to four people 1. Julie Schroder- She is my mother and the most amazing mom anyone could ask for! She taught me I can do anything and she has always encouraged me and supported me on staying true to myself and following my dreams. She is also my number one taste tester! Thanks mom you rock I’m so lucky to have you in my life and I wouldn’t be anywhere I am today with out you. I love you! 2. Pam Kendrick- I made my very first decorated cake with Pam. She taught me that cake is art you can eat and it set me on the career path that I am on now. I’m forever grateful for you as a person and for introducing me into this amazing world. 3. Angela Doyle- You were my first pastry chef. You taught me all there is to making things taste good. You introduced me to events , I would notice while at these events that even though she was quirky and outside the norm people gravitated toward her and respected her. This made me realize that in this industry that you can be quirky crazy awesome self and still be respected. When ever I find myself faced with a class of decorators or a roomful of gingerbread house makers I always think what would Angela do in this situation. I’m so lucky that we are still friends and I hope I make you proud. 4. Linda Sudowski- Linda gave me my position at Mymakestudio and free rein which allowed me to be as creative as I could. For the first time I was encouraged to express myself with no limits. She basically gave me me my dream job that I didn’t know could exist. She has helped me gain confidence in not only my skills as a decorator but also in myself. She also gave me the opportunity to help others and to teach adults and children that cake and cupcakes are fun! I’m forever grateful to you and I love that I can also call you my friend. I look forward to all the adventures we have in store.

Website: https://www.mymakestudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cha_cha_cha_chayla/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1426701050907637&ref=content_filter
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZ4_XrpyEq168PZzi5ZKrQ
Other: https://www.instagram.com/mymakestudio/

Image Credits
@madison_yen did the 2 pictures of me in the cupcake dress and rainbow icing bag (not the one where i have sunglasses on), and the picture where I have the bear oven mits. I or friends took the rest of my photos