Local Business Profiles June 20, 2019

Nothing Bundt Cakes in Minnetonka, meet the Owner Kim Cassens

I am a franchise owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes. I have a brick & mortar store centered within my territory in Minnetonka on Ridgedale Drive. We offer 4 different sizes and 10 different flavors of Bundt Cakes as well as a boutique shop with many gifts and party items. We love to celebrate life’s occasions – weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirement, business parties & corporate gifting…get well, thinking of you & just because! Why not celebrate everyday!

What do you like most about being an entrepreneur?

The independence. Being able to make the decisions and not necessarily have someone breathing down your neck. The other part is the creativity and being able to work with different people and building that network. Being a part of the community is also important to me.

What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

Overthinking it can good and bad. I jumped in. Yes, there are factors you have to really take into consideration, but if you are able to do it and it makes sense, if you have passion for it and believe in yourself, do it.

Why is it important to shop local?

Small businesses, brick and mortar businesses, it is harder and harder with the internet and everything else. That is where being part of the community and getting to know people and showing them your true self is going to bring them back to your store. Great customer service is key in any type of business. Being part of the community to me is also giving back. I have a product I am able to do that with, which is what I love.

We do many different things in the community. We donate birthday cakes to underprivileged kids. We work closely with the YMCA to host parties there. We have a local Alzheimer’s and memory care and we donate their cakes to them every month. Trying to understand needs and who we can work with to be able to help people celebrate that may otherwise not be able to.

What do you love most about living in this community?

I love being around the lakes. I live in Wayzata, we are in downtown Wayzata all the time. Having closeness to everything, being able to go outdoors, having the bike trails. We love golfing. The other part I love is being just down the 394 corridor and getting downtown. I love Minneapolis. We are down there every week. I just love this area!

Any Exciting news you want to share with customers?

My business is all about celebrating life’s occasions with people. There is an occasion for anything. There is always something right around the corner. It is about how we make a connection with each person to help them celebrate throughout the year and brighten somebody’s day. Everything is new and exciting every day because every day is different.

What has surprised you the most owning a business?

The unpredictability and how hard it really is.

What would your customers say they love most about your business?

Everyone loves the cakes for sure but are pleasantly surprised when they enter the store, are given great customer service and see the selection of gifts we have.