In the heart of San Antonio, Texas, Felicia Miranda, owner of Cakes by Felicia, creates edible works of art that reflect her dedication and talent. Felicia’s journey from amateur baker to successful entrepreneur is more than just business growth—it’s a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and community support.
“I used to think fancy baking meant swirling box-mix yellow and chocolate cakes together,” Felicia laughs. Little did she know that a $25 cake-decorating class at Michael’s, purchased with a coupon, would spark a life-changing adventure.
While juggling a demanding career in property management, Felicia found solace in the kitchen. “Baking became my escape,” she confides. “But turning it into a career? That seemed so far-fetched and unrealistic coming from an office background.”
Life, however, had other plans. When Felicia unexpectedly lost her job just before the holidays, it felt like her world was crumbling. “I was devastated,” she admits. Her husband encouraged her, saying this was her chance to follow her dreams.
With a mix of fear and excitement about the unknown opportunities ahead, Felicia applied to the Culinary Institute. “Walking onto that campus felt like stepping into an episode of Top Chef,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘There’s no way I belong here.’” But she did belong. Despite financial hurdles that might have deterred others, Felicia and her husband made significant sacrifices to secure her education.
Graduation day arrived, but Felicia soon realized that learning the skills was only half the battle. Enter LiftFund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses succeed through business guidance and funding.
“LiftFund’s resources introduced me to a new perspective,” Felicia says. “They provided insights that encouraged me to formalize many of my business practices and helped me secure funding through one of their programs.”
With LiftFund’s support, Felicia secured the funding to launch her bakery. She crafted a brand as carefully as she would a tiered cake, with the tagline “Quality, Consistency, and Creativity” as her guiding stars.
Today, Cakes by Felicia, once a humble pop-up, serves a growing clientele. “I want to be the go-to for anyone with a wild cake idea,” she grins. “Bring me your craziest concepts. I thrive on making the impossible delicious.”
For those inspired or craving something extraordinary, Cakes by Felicia awaits at cakesbyfelicia.com or at 1526 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78208.
