Tea with……Daisy Brydon of Daisy Brydon Creations

We’re doing a series of interviews. Today meet Daisy Brydon! Daisy creates quirky cakes and her clients include Matt LeBlanc! We know Daisy because she’s doing our Healthy Income Program!

Daisy, what does your business do?

I create show stopping cakes specialising in 3D sculptures

Why did you start it?

I was suffering with depression and while filming a TV series (I was an actress for 10 years before) I wasn’t sleeping, so turned to baking for something to fill my nights, which helped get me out of the hole I found myself in. You focus on the measuring and creativity rather than what’s going on in your head. It’s the perfect therapy! I then made a cake for my grandmother in the shape of her handbag and fell in love with decorating. People kept asking me to make them a cake and it just took off.

How long have you been in business?

Daisy Brydon Creations was established in early 2013

What’s a lesson you’ve learned the hard way?

Always take a deposit when your client orders. If they cancel last minute it leaves you out of pocket.

Tell us about a business success you’ve had!

I was fortunate enough to make a cake for Matt LeBlanc, and he has ordered again this year. I also entered the Stylist magazine cover competition and made the top 10 out of over 300 entries.

What has running a business taught you about yourself?!

Running a business has taught me that you can be capable of anything and that my past doesn’t equal my future.

What aspect of running your business do you find toughest?

The toughest bit is the financial side of it!

Which aspect of running your business do you like best?

I love the connecting with people and seeing the joy on their faces when they receive their cakes.

What’s your best tip for getting stuff done?

At some point you’re going to have to do it, so you might as well get it done, otherwise everything piles on top of you and it’s even more difficult.

How do you manage your to-do list?

I can’t remember the name it was given, but it was in one of the Snacks! I prioritise, so do the big, small and littlest. (I think it’s the 1-3-5 way! Julia)

What’s your best tip for finding customers?

It’s about being in front of your client 80% of the time, so I try and do that. Networking events, Food festivals, I even sit in a cafe twice a day with a cake!

What has most surprised you about running a business?

That it’s not about the product or service you are selling, it’s what the product or service does. I don’t sell cakes, I sell experience.

How do you pick yourself up on a bad day?

I try…try…to start all my days in a high state. I have a playlist called ‘state’ that I blast and dance around to. When you dance around you get your blood pumping around your body which releases serotonin. If people are sleeping in my house I’ll go for a run with the same playlist or meditate and ask for the day to go with ease and grace.

(Wishful thinking!) I’m giving you $5000 (£2500) to spend only on your business. How will you spend it?

I’d invest in an icing sheeter! It rolls out massive pieces of sugar paste (fondant) The rest I’d spend on a flight to Australia to see my business mentor.

I’ve got an employee for you. She will work 80 hours over the next 4 weeks. She’s very trustworthy and can do any type of work. What would you get her to do?

I’d put her in charge of finding clients, phone calls, taking orders and processing them.

What’s your busiest time of the year?

Pretty much all year round as everyone has a birthday and people are always having events! Last year I was crazy from September – November, lots of birthdays and corporate events.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the lion cake I made. I did my own carpentry work from start to finish. (see photo)!!

When you turn a hobby you love into a business, it can drain a lot of the joy out of it, how do you keep it fun?

I’m lucky enough that every day is different from the one before.

What keeps you going when it feels like what you’re trying to accomplish is so far off?

I think of my WHY. Why I’m doing it.

Who inspires you?

My mentor inspires me.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

To get in front of your clients 80% of the time and ‘There is no competition’.

A business book you’d recommend?

Entrepreneurial Leadership E5 by Wilson Luna

What’s your personal motto or favourite quote?

“You don’t need to be better than anyone else you just need to be better than you used to be” – Wayne Dyer

A blog you like to read?

I actually don’t get time to read blogs

A small business resource you recommend?

The Business Bakery and Wilson Luna

What’s a small business you love or respect or admire?

I have a friend in Canberra, Australia that has managed to make a Million Dollars selling windows…. in Canberra!

How many hours do you sleep a night?

On average 4 (Eek! Julia)

Thank you Daisy! Want to find out more about Daisy or connect with her? Here you go:

www.daisybrydoncreations.com
Facebook page:Daisiescakes
Pinterest: DaisybCreations
Twitter: @DaisyBCreations
Instagram: DaisyBCreations

Comments

comments