Meet Lex Holley | Cake Artist & Content Creator

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

Hi Lex, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been extremely creative, but my cake decorating journey started when I was 16. I didn’t have a job yet, but I desperately wanted to show my mother how much I appreciated her on Mother’s Day. So I got a Betty Crocker’s box cake and some can frosting and made her a really poor interpretation of a cupcake floral arrangement; she loved it. I loved making her so happy with my creativity. After that, I just hit the ground running, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces with cake.

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 sets me apart from other cake artists is my unique and drool-worthy flavors. These ain’t your grandma’s cupcakes! From a festive Egg Nog cupcake or our sinful cinnamon churro cupcakes, I’m so excited that I’ve been able to bake such fun and delicious treats that you can’t get anywhere else.

Honestly, I got here because of the pandemic. I would’ve never pursued entrepreneurship if it wasn’t for being furloughed from my job during the lockdown. Being unemployed left me lost without a purpose. So I started baking a ton, trying new recipes, taking courses to build and market my business.

The biggest challenge I faced was myself. I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. Even though I had plenty of people telling me how gifted I was and how delicious my cakes were, it didn’t matter because I didn’t truly believe that I could be as successful as the other bakers I saw on social media.

I wouldn’t say I’ve fully overcome my imposter syndrome, but I’ve made a conscious decision that I won’t let it stop me. If there’s anything I’ve learned from pursuing my dreams is, the journey doesn’t get easier. You get stronger.

What I want the world to know about my story is that you can’t give up, it’s cliche, but it’s definitely what’s gotten me this far. Don’t get me wrong, it is 100% okay to take breaks but giving up is not an option. People need your gift; people need to see you win to know that it’s possible for themselves. Don’t be selfish by playing small or giving up.

I was 16 when I started baking. I dreamed of owning my bakery, but my confidence in building a business from scratch began to shrink as I got older. I was afraid of failure. I now realize there’s a need for my business and my unique talents, and with hard work, consistency, and Jesus, I got this!

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?
First, I would stay in Carlsbad Village. It’s a fantastic community full of small businesses. You’ll find cute boutiques with unique clothing and small mom-and-pop eateries. My favorite place to go for breakfast is “The Goods” they have the best artisan donuts with tons of options for your dietary needs, such as gluten-free and vegan.

Since southern California is known for its beaches, I would spend an entire day dedicated to enjoying the great weather. La Jolla has gorgeous beaches. You can lay out, enjoy the sun, surf, hang out and look for sea creatures in the tide pools or even watch the seals.

Day 3 I would take you to the Santa Monica pier; they have loads to do there. They have fair rides, food trucks, palm readers, and so much more. Day 4 Disney will be a day of fun and adventure, and so we’re headed to Disneyland / California Adventure. Disneyland will be a full day of magic! I would show you all my favorite spots to shop and eat. Ride loads of rides, making the best of our wait times using my trusty Disney app.

Day 5, after all that excitement, you’re going to need some rest, so I recommend heading down to Encinitas to the botanical gardens and taking a yoga and meditation class.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to acknowledge how incredibly blessed I am with all the fantastic friends, family, and mentors I have in my life that consistently show up and root for me.

I want to thank my mother and my twin sister specifically. They have gone above and beyond to help my business thrive. They have affirmed, reminded, and nurtured this crazy journey God has put me on. Whether it’s doing a sink load of dishes from a crazy weekend of baking, tagging along on a cake delivery to make sure the cupcakes get there in one piece, or even just a hug when entrepreneurship gets tough.

I would be completely lost without them. So thank you so very much, Victoria and Mom, for being there for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. You guys are the G.O.A.T.!

Instagram: @fueledbyflour

Twitter: @fueledbyflour

Facebook: @fueledbyflour

Image Credits
Lex Holley