I’ve not featured any Business Mums on the blog for a while so I thought I’d restart… this time I’ll be featuring Mums who have started their businesses in the last year to try and give them a bit of exposure! First up is the lovely Emma from The Fondant Faery who started her business in May 2012! Emma is kindly offering 10% off her amazing cake toppers when you mention this blog feature (valid until March) – Also check out the end of the post for a yummy giveaway!
Who are you?
Emma Strachan
The Fondant Faery
@Em_and_Lola or @fondantfaery
www.facebook.com/
What do you do?
I make bespoke cakes, cupcakes & cake toppers using the finest ingredients possible, organic, free range, fair trade & local where possible.
I work accommodating people’s budgets so can make the whole cake & topper for people or just the cake toppers that they can place on their own cakes.
A lot of my postal orders are for the fondant toppers.
When did you establish your business?
May 2012
What made you start your own business?
Was looking for a part time job to fit in with my daughter.
Unfortunately the only part time jobs were over 5 days a week but that made my childcare costs unaffordable. I’m a single mum so couldn’t work evenings or weekends.
It was also important to me that I got to spend time with Lola, I didn’t want the childminder spending more time with her than I did.
Have always been a baker but my cake decorating started when making Lola’s 1st birthday cake. I thoroughly enjoyed the process & started making cakes for friends & family. I was told by quite a few people that I should consider it as a career.
With no jobs around, becoming self employed & making cakes seemed the obvious thing to do.
What do you love about working for yourself?
I love being my own boss, (always had issues with authority!)
like being in control of what hours I work.
Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?
The pressure of having to earn the money, no holiday pay, no sick days!!
Although most of the time I enjoy the peace & quiet of my job, I do sometimes miss the social side of working with other people.
Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?
I would have started sooner!
What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business?
Go for it, better to try & risk failure rather than regret not trying.
Emma has kindly offered to giveaway a box of 6 cupcakes to one of my lucky readers.
You could choose from…
Wow these look amazing! Lemon cupcakes all the way!
Thanks Emma
Has to be said mojito ones sound awesome (as a new mum that can’t drink much it’s a good excuse for a cocktail and cake!) good luck with your business x
Chocolates and Baileys all the way
Well done, they look so good!
Thank you Josepha
Mojito sounds different …I like different!! ;o)
I think they are probably my favourite, closely followed by Chocolate & Baileys or the Piña Colada Cupcakes
These are fab Emma. All the cupcake combinations sound yummy. Working and being a full time mum is demanding but it has many wonderful rewards x
Chocolate and Baileys,mmmmmmmm!!
Emma’s work looks delightful! The cupcakes all sound yummy – I think I’d love to try the Mojito ones please
Amazing Giveaway!! WOW!
I would love to try the Lemon or the Chocolate!!
x
Helen Dickinson recently posted..Cloggs Signature Range – Catherine Review
I’d choose the chocolate & baileys cupcakes – they sound gorgeous!
Mmm chocolate and baileys sounds good to me x
mojito ones sound fab
Louise recently posted..Big man goes flying
To be honest any would go down a treat in our household, my two daughters would love the chocolate ones, my husband would enjoy the Mojito & lemon ones and I would enjoy the Baileys & chocolate combo aswell as the vanilla ones
I can’t decide between the mojito or the Baileys and chocolate – if I win I’ll make a decision
)
S Rodgers recently posted..My secret diary… aged 19 1/2
OMG I love cake I would choose 6 vanilla or chocolate or lemon cupcakes
Donna Bird recently posted..Mummy Bird’s Series 5 Moshi Countdown …. Day 15
chocolate & baileys cupcakes
Katrina Day-Reilly recently posted..Photo of Santa in your Home – SANTA PROOF!
6 Mojito cupcakes would be lovely, never had this sort of cake before. Sound gorgeous x
Sam recently posted..Winter Hearts & Ghosties
chocolate & baileys cupcakes!
ET Speaks From Home recently posted..Project 365 Day 8
They look fantastic!!
I like the sound of the 6 Mojito cupcakes
Oh it’d have to be the Lemon Cupcakes.
Ness Gorton (@baggiesbabe69) recently posted..Review:- West Midlands Safari Park. #BritainsBestDayOut
Mojito cup cakes sound fab and would be the perfect gift for my friend to show her that she’s loved
its got to be the chocolate ones!
ooo yummy would have to be chock and baileys
Chocolate and baileys sound delicious!!
Kara recently posted..The Importance of Brushing Teeth
yummy, i would chose vanilla x
Chocolate, nothing better than a spot of chocolate, what a fab business idea, I wish Emma much success xx
Kara Spencer recently posted..Can’t believe I Missed My Blog-Anniversary – Giveaway
WoW! yummy lemon ones!!
Mmmm Chocolate & Baileys in a cake – what’s not to like?
I love the cake with the hedgehog on
Lemon sounds lovely although I think there will also be votes for chocolate from members of this household.
Erica Price recently posted..Glow in the Dark Map Review
I think I’d choose Mojito and host a girly night in !!!
Mmmmm baileys ones! Yummy
I would chose chocolate and baileys!
@Dorothee77
Yum! The chocolate and Baileys sound delicious!!
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For me it would have to be lemon cupcakes.
Johnson Babies recently posted..From babies to toddlers- the twins turn two!
These look divine!!! I would love the chocolate or lemon ones – ooooh, decisions….
6 chocolate & baileys cupcakes just so the adults could enjoy them this time
Awww poor kids! x
All look & sound yummy! I’d choose baileys & chocolate I think
Mojito cupcakes – My favourite cocktail xx
Oh wow, boozy cupcakes! I’d go for the Mojito ones
Make do mum recently posted..Happy new lady garden
They looks so Yummy. I would choose 6 lemon Cupcakes.
chocolat and Bailey x
nice
What gorgeous cup cakes – I love the ones with the bumble bees on! Lovely for the Spring – for Mother’s day! I would choose vanilla cupcakes if I won!
Cholcolate or vanilla for me! They all look fab mind!
Chocolate & baileys cupcakes sound so yummy
I would have to choose either Mojito or chocolate. Sound amazing!
Ooh yummy chocolate ones I think please
Chocolate & Bailey’s
They look fantastic and delicious, a real inspiration
i would choose 6 chocolate cup cakes
Forgot to mention chocolate & baileys cupcakes all the way – combination of 2 of my favourite things x
Would have to be chocolate, mine always turn out heavy and dry.
The lemon sound fab
choc and baileys please
chocolate and baileys please
lemon ones sound lovely
yummy scrummy! it must be lemon cupcakes for me x
O my these are stunning and look very yummy
Would love to try the choc cupcakes yummm 
Xx
Chocolate and Baily’s for me!
My Daughters are very good cake makers but im sad to say they didnt get it from me. Unfortunately they live 270 miles from me so i dont get chance to taste their lovely cakes. I would love to try yours, thank you for the competition.
I would love to try them all, but have to say lemon cupcakes are my absolute favourite thing on the planet
These are absolutely gorgeous! Such a talent
x
Chocolate and Baileys. A little bit of Xmas in January!
Lemon Cup Cakes
Mmm chocolate and baileys together in a cake – can’t go wrong
They all sound fab, but I would choose the chocolate & baileys cupcakes as they manage to combine my favourite indulgences in one cupcake!
definitely Baileys, sound yummy
Chocolate – there’s no nicer cake than a choccie cake – om nom! x
The Mojito sounds nice
I would give up my New Year’s resolutions for the Chocolate and Baileys cupcakes, they sound delicious.
chocolate & baileys cupcakes
the vanilla ones but the lemon ones sound lovely too
these look yummy! lemon is my fav!
The cupcakes look amazing! Thanks for the giveaway
If I was lucky enough to win …. oh, they’re all tempting, could I have two of each! Sorry for being difficult but I’d choose the chocolate & baileys cupcakes, they sound scrumptious – would I have to share them?
Chocolate and Baileys sounds delicious!
I think the chocolate cupcakes would be gorgeous and would love to win these x
I think I’d plump for the Mojito!
I would choose the vanilla cupcakes.
I would love to try the Lemon.
lemon cupcakes
Chocolate/Baileys Cupcakes deffo!!
Chocolates and Baileys sound delicious!
chocolate and baileys would b lush!! x
Ooh mojito is tempting but my love for lemon wins!
Oh it would have to be Chocolate & Baileys
Ooh, they look delish and LOVE the cute owl ^_^
I’d struggle to decide and then pick chocolate
Lemon cupcakes for me
They all sound yummy but I would choose chocolate.
They all look fab, lemon cup cakes for me!
yummy – baileys and chocolate – sounds divine
Oohh lemon please x
the chocolate and baileys cupcakes sound soo good!
Mmm The Lemon cupcakes sound delicious
I love Mojito cocktails in the summer, and am desperately missing the sunshine, so would definitely choose Mojito cakes. They sound deliciously different!
(Am also loving your designs and so wish I was as handy as you!)
6 Mojito cupcakes
Difficult decision, but if pushed (!) I would chose the chocolate & baileys cupcakes. They sound delicious!
These look delicious!
They all sound delicious but I am going to have to go for Chocolate yum:)
@lcaraher
6 Mojito cupcakes!!! YUMMO
The mojito ones – they sound lush!
Beautifully designed cakes, especially like the owl ones. Delicious flavours and a very generous giveaway.
chocolate & baileys cupcakes – sound heavenly
What amazing cupcakes!! Such skill. I’d have to choose the 6 chocolate & baileys cupcakes, therefore I wouldn’t have to share as partner doesn’t like Baileys! Greedy, hehe!
I’d choose lemon.
6 Mojito cupcakes !! omg my fav drink xx
They all sound great but would choose either vanilla or lemon.
Delicious !!!! Particuarly love the Bumble Bee cupcakes soo cute !
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THE MOJITO ONES BUT THEY ALL LOOK FANTASTIC.
I think the chocolate & Baileys would have to be my favourite.
They all look fantastic, well done you! I’d love the 6 chocolate & baileys cupcakes!! Yummy! x
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Chocolate & Baileys – sound lovely!
Thanks!
Simon.
Thank you to everyone for the lovely comments x
chocolate & baileys cupcakes
Oooooh Chocolate & Baileys! Yum x
The kids would eat any chocolate cupcake. Thanks.
definitely the chocolate and baileys
Arghh I don’t know. Lemon or the Mojitos. Or both. Let me have both.
Good Luck Emma! Your toppers are fab x x
Definitely the Mojito one’s – yum yum !
Ooh id have to go for chocolate and baileys – 2 of my fave things in life combined
chocolate and baileys yummy. x
Lemon cupcakes! Yum! (:
Lemon
Mojito cupcakes, I love the cocktail, so I would love to try the cupcake version!
x
Lilinha Espindula recently posted..Poundland Weekly Essentials Challenge
Chocolate and Baileys!
They look amazing! I’m a chocaholic so it would be chocolate cupcakes all the way
Zoe Corkhill (Mama Geek) recently posted..Review: The Octonauts Explore The Great Big Ocean
Lemon cupcakes
Lovely prize! I’d probably pick the chocolate cupcakes
x
lemon cupcakes
I’d love to enter but is this just for mainland UK? I’m in Northern Ireland.
Rebecca Phillips recently posted..Crocheting
You should be ok hon x
Sonia recently posted..Day 14-16 (2013 A year in Pictures)
I know its predictable but I would choose the chocolate as they are my favourite and my little boys would also be able to enjoy one too.
Lemon cupcakes
I’d choose the lemon cupcakes x
Ooo, the vanilla ones!
I think I would go for the vanilla cupcakes.. unlike what I’ve been reading in the fifty shades books, there’s definitely nothing boring about them!!
the Mojito ones, yummy!!
i would love the mojito ones
i think the lemon ones look and sound lush so it would have to be them for me
I’d choose the chocolate cupcakes
@caro_mad x
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