Conversations with Victoria Dibello

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Dibello

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been baking for as long as I can remember. Food has always been my love language. My business started after college though. I was struggling to find a job and applied to hundreds of jobs I wasn’t actually interested in having a career in, nor did I feel qualified for. I just did it because I felt had to. In the midst of a slight breakdown, my fiancé asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I said all I want to do is bake. He responded so simply with, so do it. And just like that I got to baking. I started mostly with cupcakes. I would bring them into work and my amazingly supportive friends and coworkers would pay fifty cents to a dollar per cupcake to help cover material cost. This was in 2019. From then on it was a bit of a slow learning process. I’m very much a creative person, not at all a businesswoman. Luckily my desserts speak for themselves and I’m passionate about my craft and making my customers happy. Word of mouth, social media, and local markets helped my business grow. I have a made-to-order home bakery and mostly do cakes for events such as weddings, birthdays, baby showers, etc. And come holiday season my kitchen is full of pies and cookies too. I have a menu posted but that’s more of an idea. When my customers come to me with a request, I make it. I am forever grateful to my regulars who are always throwing new requests my way, constantly trusting in me. I don’t intend on opening a bakery in the near future but I have been playing around with the idea of a little baking camper. We’ll see where this baking adventure takes me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s been a lot of learning curves. I’ve made large orders and extravagant cakes to have them canceledthe day of. I ended up realizing this has happened to a lot of bakers. So now I always require a deposit.

It can also be challenging gaging product for markets. There have been far too many where I wouldn’t even break even. Having a loss like that can be so discouraging. Especially when I was up until 4 or 5 am baking and decorating the night before. And I don’t freeze my desserts, so anything leftover usually ends up given away (never thrown away). But thankfully there’s been just as many times I’ve sold out. So finding that pattern is tricky. I’ve now learned to avoid markets during summer for sure. But I still can’t get it perfect. Everything I’ve experienced is a lesson and I’m grateful for it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in custom cakes and cupcakes. Lately my boozey cupcakes and adult themed cakes have been popular. I just recently did cinnamon toast crunch boozey cupcakes that had rumchata and fireball in them. And I don’t bake the liquor out, I like them boozey.

My 21st birthday cakes, and bachelor/bachelorette themed cakes tend to be a favorite too. They’re fun, and you don’t see many bakers decorate with mini liquor bottles or shape their cakes like body parts. It has a fun shock value when people see them. Adult themed cakes are my favorite to do for sure!

What might set me apart from others is the way I experiment with flavors. I feel like a mixologist of cakes haha. This is why I like to know what flavors my customers most like, so I can give them custom recommendations or create unique flavors for them specifically. My use of lavender is one that shocks most people with how much they like it. But I’ve also done lemon ricotta rosemary; chocolate blueberry coffee; pistachio rose cardamon; maple bacon bourbon; earl grey lavender; raspberry mascarpone etc. It’s fun!

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Don’t sleep on your local home bakers! Or most small businesses/entrepreneurs for that matter. We dedicate our all into our businesses and want to keep our customers happy. My customers mean so much to me, and I try to show that in my desserts. I like building relationships and having a personal touch. I try to remember flavor preferences, food sensitivities, design preferences and so on.

It really warms my heart when I get to do someone’s wedding cake, and then a year later I get an order for their gender reveal cake. Two amazing moments in someone’s life I get to play a small part in making special is so awesome to me. I get to see people grow in love, family, careers and I’m always rooting for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.victoriadibello.com/baking
• Instagram: @victoriadsweets
• Facebook: victoriadsweets