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HAY RIVER
One Hay Riverite has found a new calling and a new home to sell her products.

Woodshed owner Susan Gagnier (left) poses with her newest business partner, Melissa Beck, in front of a cooler displaying her baked goods. Beck will be delivering and selling her fresh baked cupcakes and muffins to the Woodshed on a daily basis. - Kristen Campbell/NNSL photo

Melissa Beck has become known in town for her specialty cakes, baking and decorating them for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

She began baking and decorating cakes six years ago for her two children so she wouldn't have to purchase baked goods and the hobby quickly grew into something more.

"It turned into a habit and then friends and family started asking for cakes," said Beck.

The demand became so high that in August 2011 Beck quit her job at Tire North to sell her cakes full time under the business title She Takes The Cake.

In order to sell out of her home, Beck had to build a separate licensed kitchen in the back of her house, which she explained was to avoid any potential cross-contamination of the products being sold.

"You can't use your own personal kitchen," she said.

But as of April 16, Beck was no longer selling her cakes out of her home and had to switch around her business model to suit her new "home."

"Every morning I bring things into the Woodshed," said Beck.

From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Beck is in the store selling her cupcakes, muffins and cakes. She hopes to expand her selection to include days dedicated to cinnamon buns, donuts and pies as well.

"Say for example on Monday I make a big batch of cinnamon buns," she said. "Every Monday would then be cinnamon buns so people would know to come that day if they want some."

Beck said that over the years she has explored a variety of options for setting up a storefront, and that the Woodshed is currently providing everything she needs.

"Right now this is the perfect fit for me," she said.

"I need the support from Susan (Gagnier). I have two kids and I wouldn't be able to manage my own store every day. I use her support and she uses my support. We kind of help each other."

She said that another advantage to selling out of the Woodshed was that the store was already set up for sales and there was minimal preparation work required beyond the actual baking. Beck also has a history with Gagnier and the Woodshed as she had been selling baked goods on a casual basis previously.

"At Christmas last year I had already started providing her with baking," said Beck. "We already had that business relationship."

She said now that she sells out of the Woodshed, she gets to visit with people and be social as well, something she was lacking while selling out of her home.

But with the change of pace, Beck has had to change her business to reflect the market.

"I will only be doing cake orders if they are $250-plus orders," she said.

She will be dedicating her time at home in the kitchen to baking the eight to 10 products, including at least one gluten-free item and will have limited time for occasion cakes.

But don't expect Beck to give up on her cakes. It is the creative element that she loves and will continue to work into her cupcakes with unique flavours and decorations.

"I love being able to be creative," she said. "Someone comes to you with an idea and you get to just throw it into a cake."

And as for the future, Beck has no idea where her cakes will take her.

"I just plan to take it one day at a time," she said. "Wherever it takes me, I still have my kitchen at home."

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