Piece of cake: 12-year-old twins building bakery business
When 12 year-old twin sisters Devyn and Cora Hogg aren't on the field for their baseball team, or playing trumpet and flute in the school band, they're whipping up sweet treats for the business they run from the basement of their parent's home in Grand Falls-Windsor.
The pair started Cakes by Two Peas in a Pod in January, baking everything from truffles to elaborate theme cakes for a growing list of customers.
The most recent icing on the cake was winning the Excellence in Customer Service award from Youth Ventures, a provincial organization designed to help young people explore entrepreneurship.
"It's really exciting, the award ceremony was really cool, lots of important people in St. John's came out to congratulate all the kids in Youth Ventures who got the award," said Cora.
Communication is key
The girls credit their communication and time management skills for the win.
"You want to make sure when they want the cake delivered, how many people, the design," Cora told CBC Radio's Corner Brook Morning Show.
"And with time management you want to make sure you have enough time to make the cake that they want the best that you can do."
They've made cakes in the shape of a baseball and a sneaker, and have decorated elaborate cakes for many special occasions.
But the very first order they got from a customer they didn't know — for a troll-themed cake — is still a favourite.
"We sculpted five different trolls and that was very challenging, but we really like having the challenge and it was our first time sculpting anything so it was really nice how it turned out, and we were really excited about that," said Cora.
The twins perfected their skills by watching plenty baking shows on television and learning from family members.
They've also expanded the business to offer cake decorating tutorials for birthday parties.
Wedding jitters
The pair have made over 50 cakes since January, with the most challenging order yet coming up soon — a three-tier wedding cake for a customer in Springdale.
"With wedding cakes, you want them to be the best they can be," said Devyn.
"So it puts on a little bit of stress because you know it's their wedding day and it's a really important time for a couple, so you want to make them happy with their cake."
