Sweet CREATIVITY

BY

Upon entering the kitchen of Snazzy Cakes, a custom cake shop owned by Duluthian Lyndsay Smitke, you feel you have entered an artist’s studio. In this interesting space located off her home, amongst edible watercolor paints, baking implements and a meticulously maintained day planner, Smitke creates beautiful and delicious baked goods worthy of magazine covers. While she specializes in wedding cakes, she also creates cake pops, handpainted cookies, cupcakes and cakes for all occasions.

Smitke’s variety of skills and talents merge seamlessly, combining the heart of an artist with the talent and technical skills of a graphic designer. The end results are equal parts stunning, scrumptious … and definitely very snazzy.

Many Talents

Smitke, who was born and raised in Duluth, graduated from Duluth Central in 1999. She attended the Art Institute of Minnesota, where she studied graphic design, and later graduated from Cosmetology Careers Unlimited. She worked in Duluth’s hair industry, including On the Canal, Bam Style, and Justin Paul Salon for several years.

In 2008, Smitke married her husband, Bryan, who was in the Army. The couple traveled where Bryan’s military service took them, including Texas and Kentucky. It was during their early years in the military that Snazzy Cakes was born.

Snazzy Cakes

Smitke has always been creative. Over the years, she has made and sold jewelry and clay figurines, studied graphic design and worked in the cosmetology business. She also liked to bake. But she didn’t know how big the cake industry truly was until she stumbled across a little reality TV.

“One day, I was walking through Michaels craft store, and I saw that there was a cake aisle,” Smitke said. “I had no idea why there would be a cake aisle until I caught an episode of TLC’s Cake Boss.”

While the family was stationed in Kentucky and Bryan was deployed to Afghanistan, Smitke was a stay-at-home mom to the first two of the couple’s four children, Ryan and Malakai. She started baking cakes out of their home for fellow military families, and it was an instant hit.

“I thought to myself, ‘this is really taking off,’” Smitke said. “I need to come up with a name.” She decided on the moniker Snazzy Cakes, a fun and clever name which came to her out of the blue.

The success of Snazzy Cakes grew, and since she was licensed to operate out of her home, Smitke brought her business with her wherever the family moved. In March 2016, Bryan retired from the military, and the family returned to Duluth.

After Smitke’s beloved grandfather passed away, the couple purchased her grandparents’ home on Rice Lake Road. In addition to being home to the Smitke family, which now includes four sons, Ryan, Malakai, Jeriko and Luken, along with Diesel, the family dog, it is also home to Snazzy Cakes.

Smitke’s baking area is located in her grandparents’ old bedroom, and she proudly uses berries from bushes her grandfather planted 70 years ago in her cake fillings. “This home is just perfect for a business,” she said.

STAY-AT-HOME MOM AND BUSINESS OWNER

Smitke thinks of herself first and foremost as a stayat-home mom. “My first full-time job is my kids,” she said.

“I’m so lucky and grateful I get to do what I do.” But her business is booming, and life is very full for the Smitkes.

Bryan, who now works as a union pipefitter in his civilian life, helps by entertaining the boys while Smitke bakes and sees customers. The Smitke kids have even been known to join in the fun.

“I pay my 8-year-old to join me on deliveries and open doors for me,” Smitke said. “I felt unprofessional about it at first, but I’ve now realized that this is me, and this is how I do business.”

Weddings And More

The largest portion of Smitke’s business is baking wedding cakes. The cakes are truly edible art, and she can create anything the couple dreams up. Smitke makes her own fondant and can even create edible flowers.

She capitalizes on her graphic design background by offering digital cake sketches, a tool that allows couples to see their cake before their big day. “This really takes the pressure off of me, because then I know they’ll love their cake,” she said. The sketches are also convenient in that they can be e-mailed to florists so the cake and flowers can be coordinated to match.

Cookies, cake pops and birthday cakes are also part of the Snazzy Cakes repertoire. Smitke has baked cakes that look like a very realistic turkey and stuffing, a pizza and breadsticks, and even a “heart cake” after someone had open-heart surgery.

Astronomical Success

Since Smitke’s move to Duluth, the success of Snazzy Cakes has exploded. She receives approximately five e-mails per day with order requests, and has baked between 25 and 30 wedding cakes in a season. Although she hates to turn anyone away, as Snazzy Cakes’ sole employee, Smitke often has to refer clients to other area bakeries.

Smitke’s work has been featured in a variety of print media, including American Cake Decorating Magazine, International Wedding Cakes Magazine, Wisconsin Bride, and Lake Bride. She was even invited to be featured on the Food Network.

“I had to decline, unfortunately, for several reasons,” she said. “I had cakes to bake, and I also had a brand-new baby. Also, the bakers on those shows always have a partner, and I ride solo. But, it was an honor to be asked.”

Smitke’s five-year plan includes moving to an off-site studio, and hiring a baker and an administrative assistant. But she always wants to maintain control of the planning and design of her cakes. “I am an artist, and I’m really a perfectionist,” she said.

A Few Things To Know

It is important to note that as a custom cake shop, Snazzy Cakes does not have a walk-in storefront. If you wish to place an order, this can be done through the Snazzy Cakes website. Most orders can be coordinated via e-mail and telephone, although in-person meetings are required for wedding cake design.

Every item from Snazzy Cakes is freshly baked, and gluten-free options are available upon request. Smitke handles delivery and set-up, and cake plates and other display materials are available for rent. Snazzy Cakes is also proud to be LGBT-friendly.

Helping Hands

Smitke is grateful for Snazzy Cakes’ success, and attributes much of it to others; both fellow business owners, and the word of mouth provided by happy customers. In return, she loves to give back by donating cakes for worthy causes, doing so about twice a month.

“Without the help of other people in the community, I wouldn’t have this business,” she said. “People here value community over competition. Duluth has a phenomenal creative network, and people here love to support local businesses.”