Rising Stars: Meet Becca Horton of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Becca Horton

Hi Becca, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in foster care and started working at a young age. My first job was as an assistant pastry chef, and I spent about five to six years honing my skills in the kitchen. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and moved to New York City, where I had the incredible opportunity to work in some of the top kitchens and even teach at a culinary college. I also helped run a summer camp program, which I still return to every year.

Even with all the experience I gained in NYC, life brought me back to Arizona when my sister needed help. She had just lost her job, and with a premature baby at home, I wanted to support her however I could. I prayed for guidance and decided to post on Instagram about taking cake orders to earn some extra money. The very next day, I woke up to over $800 in cake orders. That moment was a blessing—it paid for my sister’s bills, the kids’ Christmas, and ultimately became the start of Heartfelt Kitchen & Co.

From that point on, my business grew organically. I started developing new recipes, learning new techniques, and expanding into custom cakes, dessert tables, and baking classes. Over time, I built not just a bakery, but a space where people could come to learn, celebrate, and create memories.

Today, Heartfelt Kitchen & Co. ships cookies nationwide, provides business mentorship for aspiring bakers, and creates luxury wedding cakes and large-scale dessert tables. This journey has been full of long nights, learning curves, and challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. All glory to God for opening the doors that led me here, and I’m endlessly grateful for every customer who supports my dream.

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?
Absolutely not! Like any business, there have been so many challenges along the way. Baking isn’t just about making beautiful cakes—it’s also about learning how to run a business, which comes with a huge learning curve.

From figuring out licensing and regulations like my food cottage license to navigating pricing with constant inflation (especially when the cost of eggs went through the roof!), there were a lot of things I had to figure out on my own. Moving back and forth between New York City and Arizona also made it tough to stay consistent, and let’s not forget the stress of delivering wedding cakes—because let’s be honest, no one wants to be the person who ruins someone’s big day!

I’ve had my fair share of mistakes—dropped cakes, recipe failures, last-minute fixes—but every challenge has helped me grow. At one point, I even stepped away from baking completely and tried sales, unsure if I wanted to be in the kitchen all day. But I quickly realized that cooking and teaching are my true passions, so I had to find a way to balance my love for baking while building a business that didn’t keep me in the kitchen 24/7.

Now, Heartfelt Kitchen & Co. isn’t just about making cakes—it’s about sharing my knowledge through baking classes, mentorship, and creating unforgettable desserts for people’s most special moments. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every struggle has led me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Heartfelt Kitchen & Co., we specialize in custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, catering, and baking classes. Everything we make is handcrafted with care, using high-quality ingredients, and customized to fit each client’s needs. Whether it’s designing a unique wedding cake, teaching a hands-on baking class, or shipping fresh cookies across the country, I love being able to create something that brings people together and makes their celebrations even more special.

We’re best known for our custom cakes and wedding cakes, which are always made from scratch and tailored to each customer’s vision. I also take a lot of pride in recipe development and education—I’m currently working on launching a few cookbooks, and every summer, I travel back to New York to teach a large group of kids in a culinary program. Teaching is one of my favorite parts of what I do, and it’s been incredible to help young students gain confidence in the kitchen.

What sets us apart is the level of care and quality that goes into every order. All of our products are handmade and use mostly organic ingredients. Instead of relying on mass-produced bakery ingredients, artificial colors, or pre-made mixes, we use natural dyes like beet powder, spirulina, and turmeric to create beautiful desserts without unnecessary additives. I don’t like the idea of pulling from tubs of shelf-stable ingredients like a traditional bakery—each cake, cookie, and order is really crafted by hand.

One of the biggest things that sets Heartfelt Kitchen & Co. apart is our commitment to giving back. 10% of everything we make—whether from weddings, classes, catering, or cookie sales—is donated to the Feed the Children Foundation every quarter. As the founder, I also volunteer at least once a quarter to help package and box food, school supplies, and essential resources that are distributed to children and families in need across Arizona and the country. For me, baking isn’t just about desserts—it’s about using my business to make a meaningful impact.

Beyond baking, my goal is to empower people through knowledge, whether that’s through teaching classes, writing cookbooks, or sharing recipes. I want my customers to not only enjoy high-quality desserts but also feel inspired to learn more about baking and create their own memories in the kitchen. At the end of the day, my business is about more than just cakes and cookies—it’s about helping people celebrate life’s moments in the most heartfelt way possible.

What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is waking up every day genuinely excited about what I do. It’s about feeling passionate, using my God-given talents, and pursuing something that not only fulfills me but also makes an impact on others.

I believe success isn’t just about reaching a financial goal or achieving status—it’s about helping people, creating something meaningful, and making a difference in the lives of others. If I can wake up each day loving what I do, bringing joy to others through my work, and still have the ability to give back, then I feel like I’ve truly succeeded.

Of course, making money while doing something you love is great, but I think real success is about more than that. It’s about happiness, fulfillment, and purpose—being able to serve others in a way that aligns with your gifts and passions. If I can do that every day, then I know I’m on the right path.

Pricing:

• Custom cakes start at $100
• dozen cookies $38 local or $50 to ship
• 2 hour zoom baking class $100
• Dozen floral cupcakes $40
• pre-launch cook book $65

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/heartfeltkitchen.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartfeltkitchen.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15tQngrpaL/
• Other: https://www.feedthechildren.org/