Meet Ashlee Stancill of Abiding Cakes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Stancill.

Hi Ashlee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
“It’s God’s business, He just chose me to run it”

How did we get here, I’ll give you the quick version: In March 2024, I was at a company for five and a half years working in customer service management, then I was laid off during my vacation. Yes, it was sad but it was God’s will being done in a major way. The next few days/weeks of unemployment were filled with tears and mornings of struggling to get outta bed. And even more prayers of pleading for Jesus to walk me through this season of life. I came to Jesus worn, weary and sad and He was there for me just like He always is. Jesus carried this burden for me. (Matthew 11:28)

After my sadness and tears and still through them, I began learning how to build a website, how to apply for a LLC, gaining correct licensing and building menus. Thankfully I have a large imagination that made creating recipes and ensuring I could get the ball rolling on starting Abiding Cakes. April 20th 2024, was the grand opening for my home bakery Abiding Cakes. I opened my living room, dining room and kitchen to all my friends, their friends, church members and their acquaintances to try a sampler platter of 8 of 12 cakes that offered. In order to get feedback the guest filled out a survey and trust me they were honest. The guests enjoyed the provided photo station, small bites, cakes and also made many purchases.

Now I would love to tell you right after that grand opening that orders were coming in. However, they were not and this hurt me. I was determined to remain in God’s will and seek Him on what to do. I knew that Abiding Cakes is what He called me to do. In the meantime, I worked on improving my decorating, recipes, marketing, packaging. Flash forward to June 2024 and got my first large order for 2 sheets and I began my first weekly promotion: Slice Slice Baby. Where each week the cake flavor would change and Slice Slice Baby would be a hit. Who doesn’t need a sweet treat every week?

Jumping to August, I began attending networking events, meeting people who have teams and want to provide meals and treats for their teams. From that event, I booked my first breakfast catering event. I made 4 different flavor muffins and posted on my instagram and received so many “I didn’t know you made muffins” and “I want a 12 Cranberry Orange muffins.” Within the same week, Muffins were officially added to the menu.

Specializing in one-of-a-kind cakes, jumbo cookies, muffins, cookie nachos and mini pies, Abiding Cakes quickly gained recognition for its delicious and creatively crafted treats. My passion for baking and commitment to quality have earned the bakery several accolades, including three prestigious Blue Ribbons at the Arizona State Fair. Abiding Cakes has been featured in magazines, highlighting its growing influence in the dessert scene. With a nationwide shipping service, Abiding Cakes creations continue to delight customers across the country.

Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would see my products being shipped across the country.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would describe my journey as a smooth road that has a lot of unexpected turns, stops, and speed changes.

The number one struggle I have faced is patience. The patience to allow for my customer base to grow. The patience for orders to continually be flowing in. The patience with myself, as I learned what having a business means and how to operate it. The list of things that tested and grew my patience still seems like an endless list.

However, the only things that resolved my lack of patience was prayer and completing task at hand. Faith without works is dead, I couldn’t be believing that Abiding Cakes would grow and not put in the work because of my lack of patience. My only two options were to give up and fail or be patient and grow.

So, I chose to be patience and grow. When I imagined how building a business would be, I dreamed super fast overnight virality with nonstop orders coming in. And when that did not happened, I was a bit disappointed and discouraged. I know I have an amazing product, but I am not sure why things aren’t taking off quickly. However, through this time of the steady growth, I had time to refine my packaging, better my recipes, find my niche for my social media and much more. Building patience and using my time wisely has allowed for Abiding Cakes to become a recognizable brand and not an overnight fad.

We’ve been impressed with Abiding Cakes, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a Christian owned company. All of what Abiding Cakes is and will be is for the glory of God. Each order is prayed over and each customer is prayed for. One thing, I want to leave with my customers is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the way, the truth and the life.

Our 5.5 ounce cookies have quickly gained popularity. Our menu has grown to 11 flavors that are always available and our rotating seasonal cookies that are limited time releases. Our cookies can be shipped nation wide and are a great surprise for a loved one in another state.

Abiding Cakes is most known for our weekly special Slice Slice Baby. Each week a new cake slice flavor is featured and can be ordered for pickup. However, our customers do frequently request custom cake designs for their celebrations. We love being included in your special days from birthdays, anniversaries, gender reveals and graduations.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Intentionality is the most important when it comes to my success. Anyone can put a product or service out, but in order for that product to stand out is intentionality is needed. What is point of the product and was the release well thought out? Are both questions I ask myself as a business owner and consumer.

I strive to ensure Abiding Cakes accomplishes “The Top Three”: 1. Does this glorify God and bring people to Him? 2. Does this give customers an insight to what Abiding Cakes is? And finally, because we are a bakery, 3. “Does it taste/look good.?’ When all three of “The Top Three” have been answered with a yes, then that product will be released.

Having an intentional mindset has also come with the need to say “no” to opportunities, however, staying true to the standards of Abiding Cakes is most important.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.abidingcakes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abidingcakes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568124830385&sk=following
• Other: abidingcakes@gmail.com

Image Credits
Tamera Faith