My name is Marisa, nickname Minn, and I am the owner/cake decorator of Minns custom cakes. Minns is a permitted cottage food home bakery here in Simi Valley, CA. I look forward to making your cake come to life.

“More than a cake”

A cake symbolizes a special moment in our lives. It is my intention to create a centerpiece that is both delicious and a piece of art for those fleeting moments that make this life so special. I believe we find meaning through what we pour our love into and I find my purpose and joy in all the unseen details of baking and decorating. Handmade is lovemade.

My Story

I’ve always loved creating and exploring with various artistic mediums growing up. As I worked various food service jobs and went to school, I hadn’t yet realized this about myself: my soul needs to be challenged, have creative freedom, as well as meaning/purpose behind what I do.

In 2017, a degree in hand, I was walking down the path to be an elementary school teacher. My heart however was leading me down a different road, one that felt like the gps was turned off. I found myself enrolled in art classes at a local community college. Two years of painting and drawing culminated with disappointment in a cancelled art exhibition as the world went into lockdown. During 2020 is when I found comfort and hope in making baked goods that contained no animal products. The feeling of making something from my own two hands that could bring a smile to someone’s face in a time of fear and uncertainty was indescribable.

I felt challenged starting up a home based bakery and learning how to bake. I was channeling my creativity experimenting with new flavors and taking photos/posting on Instagram. I found meaning in attending events/markets and making sure each order I baked was made for each individual with detail and love. Before I knew it, another two years passed and I was so grateful for the following of Minn’s. I felt a slump in the direction of this newfound baking passion but at the same time felt an itch to try my hand at cakes and cupcakes, something I knew absolutely nothing about. A job opportunity soon arose to work at a local bakery and for the next two years I became like a sponge absorbing and learning so much and practicing my skill set. In early 2024 I decided to take a leap of faith and put my full energy and time into my home bakery. I feel like I have found my calling in baking/cake decorating and can’t wait to see where this journey continues to lead me…so thank you for joining me!