Ebony’s passion for baking traces back to her childhood, where she fondly remembers assisting her parents in baking birthday cakes. At the young age of ten, Ebony started cooking by herself, baking simple recipes for her family.
Growing up, Ebony recalls spending her school holidays experimenting with different flavours and kept a notebook where she would document how she could improve her recipes.
A pivotal point in her baking journey was when her grandma recognised her love for baking and bought her a two-day cake decorating course at a local cake shop.
From here, Ebony started to make celebration cakes and cupcakes for family events and through word of mouth more people wanted to order, so she registered her business and became official.
Ebony has always been fascinated with business and recalls having little ‘fake’ businesses when she was little such as a magazine business and a bracelet business.
Her cake business has definitely arisen from her passions, and she loves every aspect of it.
Embracing the digital age, Ebony ventured into TikTok in 2022 to share her journey as a cake business owner and inspire fellow enthusiasts.
Consistently posting 3 times a day and a viral video which was “A Day in the life of a Cake business Owner” propelled her account to over 180k followers, opening doors to brand collaborations and expanding her customer base significantly.
The platform not only serves as a creative outlet but also fuels her business growth, with a notable increase in orders and market visits. Ebony’s content showcases her diverse interests, ranging from baking and studying to dancing, fashion, and singing. Beyond its business implications, TikTok provides Ebony with a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a vibrant community cantered around shared interests and aspirations.
In the realm of cake design, Ebony’s vintage heart cakes have emerged as a crowd favourite, reflecting her distinctive style and meticulous piping techniques. She finds immense joy in crafting these and they align perfectly with her business aesthetic.
Beyond baking, Ebony finds joy in various pursuits, including musical theatre, singing, and performing. She has also been dancing for over 15 years and enjoys various styles such as ballet and jazz with her favourite style being tap and she is currently part of a tap-dancing troupe called “Tap Kix”, who can be seen performing at local events around Canberra and Queanbeyan.
Ebony also enjoys sewing and spending quality time with her family. Despite her busy schedule, she successfully balances her commitments, including pursuing a Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UC.
Ebony is also part of her university social media team, which ties in very well with running the social aspect of her business. Her academic endeavours complement her business pursuits, allowing her to apply theoretical knowledge directly to her entrepreneurial ventures.
While juggling multiple roles can be challenging, Ebony’s love for her business and hobbies ensures that she remains fulfilled, relying on meticulous organization and prioritization to manage her time effectively.
Looking ahead, Ebony plans to continue to grow her business and as she started her business when she was fifteen, she is currently in the process of going through a rebrand. This also involves some exciting plans to establish a commercial kitchen, which would increase her capacity and efficiency for orders.
Further into the future, Ebony aspires to establish a dedicated storefront and nationwide delivery service for her cakes. In addition, she also aims to develop new products, such as vintage aprons that she can deliver nationwide to her regional followers and clientele. With unwavering dedication and a clear vision for the future, Ebony’s baking enterprise continues to evolve, fuelled by passion and innovation.
Wish to experience the hype for yourself? Visit Ebony May Bakes for a sweet treat or two!