What happens when architecture, grief, and grit collide in a cake studio? We sit down with Titilayo of Yummy Tecture to unpack a rare, unfiltered blueprint for building a creative business that actually works. From arriving in the U.S. after losing her sister to honoring that legacy through architecture school, then shifting toward culinary arts, Titi shows how a clear eye for structure and speed can turn design into dessert without romanticizing the grind. We trace her evolution from Maryland fruit displays to Dallas custom cakes, revealing the market forces that shape offerings and the time math behind smart pricing. She explains why a dozen intricate treats can drain more resources than a wedding cake, how baking ahead creates last-minute capacity, and why ganache and self-raising flour power her fast, clean style. Then we go deep on storefront reality: triple net leases, grease traps, code-mandated sinks, deposits, and the hidden costs that explode tidy startup budgets. Titi’s forthcoming book, Open to Open, lays out a practical, field-tested checklist for anyone considering a bakery—covering commercial leasing, health inspections, equipment lists, staffing, and operations. Motherhood, allergies, and community are woven through it all. With three young sons and severe food allergies at home, she manages late nights, early handoffs, and the village that keeps creators afloat: borrowed chocolate at 9 p.m., emergency toppers from peers, and edible images at impossible hours. She’s honest about passion turning into chore under overhead, and about the planned pivots toward teaching, mentoring, and writing that keep purpose alive. If you’re eyeing a cake business—or any creative venture—expect hard numbers, design-minded systems, and a call to collaborate rather than compete. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s building something brave, and leave a review with your biggest storefront question so we can tackle it next. Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcast. Share the episodes and let's chat in the comments. Support the Cake Therapy Foundation: 1. Cake Therapy - Cake Therapy (thecaketherapyfoundation.org) 2. Buy Me A Coffee : The Cake Therapy Foundation (buymeacoffee.com) 3. Buy The Book: Cake Therapy: How Baking Changed My Life https://a.co/d/76dZ5T0 4. Buy The Book: Lessons I Never Learned from My Father: Things We Missed Out On and How They Still Impact Me https://a.co/d/9wLOguc Follow Sugarspoon Desserts on all social media platforms @sugarspoondesserts
