Pedestal Professionals is a weekly spotlight series on our blog that highlights Black women entrepreneurs who are forging new paths in their respective fields.
Meet this week’s Pedestal Professional, Ashley “Petite” Patrick, CEO/Head Baker of Caked by Petite, LLC! Ashley is a native of Columbus, MS and is an accomplished pillar in the entertainment industry as TheElitePetite. Her talents are limitless, her reach is expansive, and her grind is unstoppable. Since March 2016, Ashley has taken the Atlanta cake industry by storm! Specializing in high-quality luxury desserts, Caked by Petite, LLC adds a delicious taste and elegant touch to your events that your guests are sure to remember. She is not only the epitome of Black Girl Magic but also the highest definition of Black Cake Magic! Learn more about Caked by Petite, LLC below!
How did you get started with Caked by Petite, LLC?
An idea first came to me around Valentine’s Day a few years ago after making cupcakes for a local salon here in Atlanta. I’ve always been a baker for family and friends, so that part came naturally for me. On a whim, I attended a cake decorating class to just to learn how to make cakes cute. After I started to make my signature cupcakes for a few close friends, the rave reviews came pouring in. That’s when I knew I had something special. 
Tell us more about your business.
Caked by Petite, LLC officially launched in June 2016. We offers the most premium cakes, cupcakes, and luxury dessert items. Types of events we cover are weddings, birthdays, baby showers, sweet sixteens, quinceañeras, and professional soiree’s. From celebrity events to VIP mixers, Caked by Petite has truly done it all. You name it, we bake it. We also offer classes, both online and in-person, for aspiring bakers or anyone wanting to improve their skills.
What’s the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship?
Knowing that “Wow–I did that!” There’s just something satisfying about looking at the finished product (and looking at your bank account!) and being able to see the fruits of your labors from your own two hands. I’m literally working with what God gave me.
In your opinion, what is unique about being a black woman CEO?
I saw an article almost exactly two years ago around this time that said that Black women were the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the country and making money from their own business. Of course. Black women are known to always overacheive and over-exceed. We are superheroes! We do it all! This was another arena that we took and ran with. I said to myself, “I want to be in that number.”
I conquered the entertainment industry as a celebrity interviewer, and this was another set of gifts that God allowed me to expose to the world. I have two small children, I work from home, and I do everything by myself. I manage my books, I manage my orders, I don’t have an assistant. But I balance all of that success with running a home. Who else can do that but a Black woman? We can truly do it all.
What’s your business mantra?
Everything is fixable. A lot of times when you are running a small business independently. You’re like, “Oh my God, how can I fix this? I only have three hours before this event” or there’s some other crisis that pops up that I’m responsible for managing. So I go to God and get all of my guidance from Him. Being an entrepreneur truly teaches you how to use your brain and just make it work.
What’s one piece of advice to aspiring Black woman entrepreneurs?
Go for whatever you imagine! Caked by Petite put me in an entirely new tax bracket. If I had never just gone for it, I would have never known what it could be. The talent or the gift will always be yours; no one can take that away from you. Just make sure you have the legitimate paperwork and backing so that no one can take it from you legally as well.
How can The Pedestal Project readers find you?
Pedestal Project readers can find Caked by Petite, LLC on Facebook, Instagram (@cakedbypetite), and at www.cakedbypetite.com. To place orders, email cakedbypetite@gmail.com.
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