Daily Inspiration: Meet Mele’Ofa Finau ‘Iufoni

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mele’Ofa Finau ‘Iufoni.

Hi Mele’Ofa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Baking is my love language! I have always loved baking. I grew up with a mom who would make the most exciting birthday cakes + sit at our kitchen table and make stunning buttercream flowers. I remember watching her and being in awe that it was all edible – that is ultimately where my obsession began! Fast forward to middle school, my best friend and I would host neighborhood bake sales which turned into making wedding cakes! I ended up taking a little break to serve a mission for my church! Once I returned to the states, I met my husband, Paula through social media, moved to Sydney, Australia to be married, and soon after found out we were expecting our first baby! I moved back to Utah (my home state) to help my family move to Arizona and prepare for the arrival of our son! What was supposed to be a quick passport renewal for my husband turned into Immigration delays and Covid restrictions shutting down the Pacific, where he needed to do his Visa Interview. I ended up having our son here in states while my sweet husband was stuck in The Kingdom of Tonga. I started Sweet Louise as a little escape from my reality and a way to be creative! One whole year later – it has turned into a quickly growing business + my little family’s livelihood! I took a leap and have loved every second!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I moved to a new state, I knew absolutely no one in Arizona other than my own family, and I was a new mom to a baby that took all of my time and attention. I was doing what too many dreamers do: waiting for the “perfect moment.” My older brother, who is a local Interior Designer, really encouraged me to just make an Instagram and start posting content! So, I did! I started making a new cake every week purely for content to post on my Instagram. Once the orders started rolling in I realized as a new mom the challenge would be time management! So, every moment I wasn’t with my son I was pouring myself into my branding, emails, messages, baking, decorating, and delivering cakes + cookies to my sweet clients! It has not been easy whatsoever but it has been worth every late night, the sweat, the tears – I am so thankful for a family who pushed me to follow my dreams and continues to support me through them!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I make chic minimal buttercream cakes and sugar cookies that taste as gorgeous as they look. I specialize in dreamy tasting bakes that are simple and never distract from the events they are made for.

The proudest moments for Sweet Louise are the ones when our clients taste the love and passion gone into them! There’s nothing in the world more rewarding than your hard work and passion being noticed and appreciated.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Take everyday as it comes. Be grateful for the little things! Tell your people you love them.

Contact Info:

• Email: mele.finau@sweetlouisecakes.com
• Website: sweetlouisecakes.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sweetlouisecakesaz
• Facebook: facebook.com/sweetlouisecakesaz

Image Credits
The Lauren Style Noble Photographers Sydney Aylesworth Photography StryBookLuvPhotography Photography By Kathrine Nicole Kathrine Lynch