From Home Kitchen to Sweet Success: The Story of Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes

Where It All Began

For Kelsey Elizabeth Shepard, baking wasn’t just a hobby—it was woven into her childhood. Growing up in Cleveland, she spent countless hours in the kitchen with her mom, Liz, learning how to blend ingredients and whip up joy from scratch. Those early memories of being perched on the kitchen counter, watching her mom bake, were more than sentimental—they sparked a passion that would shape her future.

A Taste of the World

Kelsey didn’t stop with home recipes. Determined to refine her craft, she traveled across the globe, learning from some of the best in the baking world. London, Paris, and New York City became her classrooms. She immersed herself in pastry training, soaking up the techniques and inspiration that would one day set her apart in the baking scene.

Taking the Leap at 24

While many 24-year-olds are still figuring out their path, Kelsey was signing her first commercial lease. With her parents backing her—both emotionally and financially—she launched her dream bakery, Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes, in Avon Lake in 2014. It wasn’t glamorous in the beginning. She and her team worked through the night, sometimes sleeping on bakery racks, living on Taco Bell, and pouring every ounce of energy into making it work.

Building Something Beautiful

Her vision was simple: to create beautiful, delicious baked goods that made people feel something. And the community responded. Customers quickly fell in love with her gorgeously designed cakes, playful macarons, and detailed sweets that looked as good as they tasted.

Just two years in, the bakery expanded with a second location in Rocky River. A third followed in Bay Village. What started as a local cake shop quickly turned into a small empire built on hard work, creative vision, and unwavering family support.

The Heart Behind the Brand

Kelsey’s journey is proof that success is rarely overnight—and almost never solo. Her mom, Liz, still works alongside her. Her dad, Joe, lends his business experience. Every cake has a story, every macaron a little magic, and every storefront a sense of home.

More than a bakery, Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes is a reflection of Kelsey herself: vibrant, hard-working, and joyfully obsessed with the little details.

A Note to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you’re a woman dreaming of starting something of your own—whether it’s cakes, consulting, or candles—Kelsey’s story is a reminder that it’s possible. You don’t need everything figured out. You just need passion, support, and the courage to take that first step.