Meet Becca Lanese | Cottage Bakery Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Lanese and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career through baking because I have always had an extreme passion for art. It was the one hobby I had in which I could fully express myself and completely release my mind from anything occupying it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I never expected to be running a cottage bakery business at the age of 19. I always had a passion for baking and art, and my family knew that. When my niece was born in 2018, my sister Brittany asked me if I would be willing to make some cookies for her baptism. I was scared to death because I knew nothing about working with royal icing, but they ended up turning out well for never having decorated cookies before. After that, I became the designated family baker and began making decorated cookies and cakes for all occasions and eventually started making cookies for family friends’ events. When I opened my business in January of 2023, I had no idea what to expect. It came with so many learning curves, trials and errors, and unexpected surprises along the way. What I didn’t know was that I would end up being so in love with it, and I think that is what sets me apart from others. The passion that I have for this job is more than what I ever imagined it would be. I put my entire heart and soul into every single cookie and cake that I decorate, and I’d like to think that it reflects through my work. If there was one thing about this entire journey that I would want people to know, it’s that I am eternally grateful for every customer I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and every person that continues to support my small business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many activities to do and things to see that it is hard to pick just one! I would definitely take them to the West Side Market, because it’s a huge part of Cleveland and it’s history. There are a ton of places to grab something to eat within the Market that ensures you can get a bite of every craving you’re having. After that, I would take them to kayak on the Cuyahoga river in the flats. It’s an awesome experience to see the different parts of the city while sitting on the water. I would also take them to visit the different areas of the Cleveland Metroparks, for sure. There are many hidden wonders that you can find when you explore those areas. Many people don’t realize the natural beauty that we have within the Metroparks! Another place I would take them to is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are numerous activities to do there, including walking or biking the path, or taking a scenic train ride. Lastly, I would finish off our time together by visiting Cedar Point in Sandusky. The roller coasters at Cedar Point are one of a kind and perfect to take someone to when visiting the area. There are a ton of food vendors at Cedar Point, but I would make sure that we visit the candy store for sure. There are all different types of sweets ranging from hard candies to fresh chocolate fudge to ice cream.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my entire family. Through every single thing that has happened in my life, they have been there with the utmost amount of support and love. When I started my baking business, they were (and still are) my biggest fans. They are always promoting me and letting me know that they are there for me if I need anything at all. My sister Lauren especially, is who pushed me to take the leap in opening a cottage bakery. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have this business. The fear and risks of failing that came with running an in-home bakery were overwhelming to me, and she offered so much encouragement and support. I would be truly lost without my family and their unwavering support, and I cannot thank them enough for that.

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