Meet jenny williamson | Wedding cake designer, entrepreneur, teacher

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

Hi jenny, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I feel like a true success story, especially because women were never valued on either side of my family. My mum couldn’t support me because she never felt worthy of success. I feel like I did not let my childhood define me or determine my path. I feel like I have changed the role of women in my family, and set an example of a kind, feminine, but also independent woman. I now have two daughters, who are strong, independent, and also kind and empathetic.
I now mentor people in my line of business (wedding cakes) so , I would like to be remembered as an example of what a woman can be, financially independent, plus a loving mother, a good friend and a smart business woman.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I was always an artist. I was shy as a child, and found my art as my safe place. I would get lost in it, I would just draw, and paint, and sculpt all day. I also loved to eat, and especially bake. I loved to make beautiful baked goods for my mom and brother. When I was in high school, I would go home after work and read books on how to make breads, bagels, English muffins, strudel, any technique I could get my hands on! I read Julia Child cookbooks cover to cover, practicing all of the traditional techniques I could, with the limited space and equipment I had.

I was always the class artist, so I always thought I would go to art school. I was not prepared, and to be honest, I didn’t have the money to go to college, and I had no guidance on how to even apply, or get financial aid.
Growing up, we were a middle income family. I thought we were pretty normal, until we weren’t. We grew up in Florida, where my dad moved us when I was a kid. My dad was a risk taker, a business man, and a dreamer. I admire him for that, but sometimes plans fell through. Long story short, my dad lost everything in a business deal. We ended up losing our house. My mum, brother and I had to get rid of all of our other animals, and our home, and move into a one bedroom apartment while my dad had to “go away” for a while.

After he got back a few years later, we got established in another house. This time, my mum found out he was having an affair with a woman in Canada. So, we lost it all again. My dad left the country while my mum, brother and I drove up to Massachusetts to start over. The problem was, since my dad left the country, my mum could not divorce him. So, the three of us, got along together, from scratch.

So, no, starting a business was not easy! I always just trying to survive, without any real goals. I don’t know where the drive came from. It was just there. I always loved to make people happy by making them a piece of art, or cooking for them. I started making desserts for a restaurant, which was great! I just cliff dove right into that one! I didn’t even have recipes developed, and I sold five concepts of desserts to the restaurant owner. I then went home, and after my day job, and developed the five desserts I had just made up in my head. I did that for over a year until a friend asked me to make her wedding cake. That’s when it all started. It literally just took off. One led to another, than another. That was 25 years ago.

I think the thing I’m most proud of, is that I started with no money, go guidance, and no resources other than my talent and drive. I learned how to make cakes from reading books and practicing daily. I worked my day job, went to school at night, and made wedding cakes on nights and weekends. I let nothing get in the way. Nothing. I was all in.

I want the world to know that no matter where or how you grew up, you can do anything you commit to. It is not easy, it’s a commitment, but if you are determined to reach a goal, nothing can get in your way.

I cannot believe where I am today. My cakes and business have won several awards, and I have become a leader in my industry. I am financially stable, and I have raised my two daughters on my own for over a decade. I was able to purchase my little dream home by making wedding cakes, which still blows my mind!

My brand is driven on passion, and integrity. If I make a promise, I follow through, in business and in life. I truly feel like if I can do it, anyone can. You do not have to be what people expect you to be, you can truly change the story you were told as a kid and make your own story.

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.
I used to live in Clarksville, and every time we got some extra cash we would grab a seat at the old Spaghetti factory. I don’t believe it’s there anymore though!

my friends love Puckets and Party Fowl. Casa Rosa, Honkey Tonk Central, Wild Horse Saloon!
And I mean, you can’t miss the Grand Ole Opry!

I always loved the Smoky mountains on my way driving to Nashville!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh this is easy! My shoutout goes to two very important men in my life. One, was my orthodontist who gave me my first job. I was 18, and had no idea what I was doing. He asked me what I was doing for work that summer. I told him I was just bartending. He said, “why don’t you work here”, so I did. I started filing charts, and then he trained me as an assistant. Then, one day while I was assisting him, he said, “why don’t you go to college, you are pretty smart.” So, I did. I started at night. I took one course at a time, I paid for one course at a time. for nine years. He even bet me I wouldn’t finish, but I did.

The other man was a dentist I worked for. I was still in school, working for him full time, and making wedding cakes on the side. He taught me so much about business, and being a leader. He told me never to get into debt, so I didn’t He was so supportive of my business and my education, always letting me leave early to study, or making sure I was prepared for a test. He really was more than a father figure to me than I had ever had, and I am so grateful to have had both these men in my life. They truly were so integral in the success of my life.

Website: www.jencakes.com

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Image Credits
Christian Pendergraft Photography, Lauren Killian, Jill Person Photography