Meet Vanessa Campbell | Baker

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

Hi Vanessa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I never thought I would have my own business, I had a 9-5 Job for the last 14 years at a small embroidery company here in Colorado Springs. My nephew’s 1st birthday was coming up and I decided to give making his cake a try, and to my surprise I enjoyed it so much; despite having 3:00 am bed time that night!
I decided to try more cakes so I offered my friends and family the opportunity to make one each month for free just so I could get practice. When COVID hit, I took it a step further and decided to go back on social media on a public page asking for moms to nominate a kid who needed to feel extra special for their birthday. I knew since we were on lockdowns that it wouldn’t be anything exceptionally large and I could get my hands on a new fun theme or experiment with new techniques. After about a year and a half of offering free cakes, I created my Facebook page and started to take a couple orders here and there as a serious hobby.

Now After 2 and half years I no longer have the 9-5 job and I dedicate myself completely to making cakes!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Makes the Dates is a cottage bakery, and what sets me apart is the amount of detail and personalization I put into every cake! I’m known for hand painting and doing lots of fondant work. I prefer to come up with my own designs whenever possible; when given complete creative freedom is when I come up with the most unique cakes!

I am a graphic designer, so colors, compositions and design comes natural. On-the-other-hand learning how cakes needed to be structured and how to apply certain techniques took allot of practice, long nights and many errors.

I would like everyone to know I’m a Venezuelan immigrant and U.S citizen living in America. I never would have thought in a million years that I would be have my own business making these awesome cakes!

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.
Garden of the Gods will never get old or boring for me, so that is a most.

Showing family and friends the small ski towns is one of my favorite things to do as well, I love a ride to Breckinridge in the fall and admiring aspens changing colors.

Estes park is a nice spot to take family and friends to spend a weekend.

After 18 years in Colorado I never get tired of the mountains; I can drive along I-70 any day and still be in awww over how awesome the they are.

If the opportunity is there I believe experiencing a concert at Red Rocks is something everyone should do at least once in their life time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe I got to where I am now, thanks to the people whom trusted me with creating their cakes from the beginning. I had no portafolio to demonstrate what I was capable of doing and they let me have complete creative freedom!

Also a big shoutout to my family members, whom encouraged me to keep going and to try new things. To those who gave my name out as a referral, and those who loved every one of my creations on Facebook. Thank you, to everyone that would stay with me on video calls until late at night watching me work and giving me opinions when asked for them!

Last-but-not-least, all my fellow bakers whom extended a helping hand when I had questions, and were always there to help me learn new things and techniques!

Instagram: Make the Dates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Make-the-Dates-102009151462672/