In our ‘Inspiring small businesses’ series, we share and celebrate great stories from small business owners who started and run their own business. By bringing you closer to these inspiring businesses we hope that you find motivation, tips, and ideas for building yours. Our next inspiring story is told by Hannah Edwards, founder of The Cake Illusionist. Hannah is a multi-award winning cake artist specialising in high-impact sculpted 'illusion' cakes and highly creative dream wedding cakes, and also shares her passion for cake artistry by teaching cake structure, sculpting, and airbrush.

 What's the story behind your business?

The Cake Illusionist was born out of necessity, due to needing an income whilst solo parenting two children under two. I had been dabbling as a hobby cake maker for a while and as I could see no other job opportunities that I could work around a baby and toddler, I launched my own cake business - really just to try and make ends meet. I could (and still often do) make cakes through the night and take care of the children during the day. They say necessity is the mother of all invention and my business is a true testament to that. I never imagined then what my business would look like now! It's grown exponentially, I have clients I could only dream of, I create cakes I never thought were possible and I now teach! I teach my love to other people and watch them launch their dreams too. It's incredibly special. I'm eternally grateful. 

What inspired you to start your own business? 

I found myself in the horrendous situation of being made redundant from my London job halfway through maternity leave. Unfortunately and almost simultaneously I ended up being a single Mum of an 11-month-old and 2-year-old thanks to the brutal truth that is alcohol and substance abuse. It simply got to the point where I wasn't brave enough to go through it anymore having already lost 14 years trying to 'support' my husband.  I wasn't willing to have these tiny babies brought up around what I was living through every single day and finally lost faith in the endless promises. The combination of a marriage breakdown and no income was truly a perfect storm. 

Decorating cakes became my therapy to get through the long heartbreaking early days (and nights) of solo parenting and as they began to very slowly become a trickle of income I decided to sink or swim and started the business for real -I had absolutely no clue how to run a business at all I just started it!  However that was the single biggest turning point in my life and honestly, I've never looked back. I owe everything I am to those dark days. 

What is the most difficult aspect of running your own business?

The most difficult aspect of running my own business is switching off and trusting that the business is doing well and will continue to do so.  I struggle with a lack of self-belief. I tend to over obsess/ over scrutinize every aspect of it and fret that I'm not doing enough to safeguard my business's long term survival. This means I have a real tendency to overwork. Even on holiday, I find it incredibly hard to put an out of office on and not reply to every email the second it comes in. I am working on it though! 

What is the best thing about running your own business?

Everything! My commute is now 13 steps to my kitchen not two hours into London, I am financially independent and know whatever happens I can provide for my children on my own now if needed.  I get to create every single day - as an artist, this joy can not be underestimated. I also get to attend every school assembly, parents evening, sports day or any other random last-minute event the school likes to throw at me.  And I can do it without having to plead with the boss. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. 

To find out more about Hannah’s work, visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest.