As Cristen tells it, “My dad was a phenomenal baker. His mother, Big Momma, had nine children, eight boys and one girl. Big Momma passed away when I was five years old, but my father and my uncle took on her baking and continued it.”

“My uncle could whip up a pound cake. I got my first recipe from him.”  

Her uncle also gave her baking pointers. Cristen also collected recipes from aunts and cousins, knowing that she had passed the test when family members started telling her they loved her own recipes.

Persistence was a part of the journey. Now adept at whipping up cookie platters that make foodies drool, she comments, “I kept trying. I do like to cook.”

What began as pound cakes made for family gatherings evolved into a high season of baking for neighbors and for a much wider community of companies. Then began the orders from social media as Royalty Cakes entered that space.

The designs of Royalty Cakes are one of its strongest sources of appeal, in addition to the many different delicious recipes used. Decorating was another journey for the entrepreneur, but Cristen was blessed with the same artistic talent as her mom and has been able to amaze clients in this unique area.

She says, “I love the creativity behind it. My mother, who has amazing talent, told me I am an artist in my own way.”

“I like to see people happy and satisfied with what I do. I use different approaches and then sit back and say that is beautiful. I am my hardest critic,” she explains.

Cristen knew from early on she wanted to be an entrepreneur. She was mentored not only by family members who helped with baking know-how but sought training and mentorship, which developed skills in marketing.

“I was mentored by a group who helped us with business cards and took us to events. We started out being very creative in our approach. I started doing platters, and a lot of people ordered those,” she recalls.

“My favorite thing to bake are different pound cakes. I started out sour cream with vanilla glaze and moved on to eggnog and sweet potato. With pound cakes, I can do different things,” she smiles.

A hobby has become a solid business line, with Cristen noting, “The busiest I have been during the holidays.” Since updating the company’s presence on social media, the orders have been rolling year-round as well.

The confidence and strength of its creator are represented in Royalty Cakes as a brand. Sassy and classy, the boldness and beauty of this kitchen’s creations describe a woman who knows her way around the oven.

Each creation from Royalty Cakes is made with love and confidence, warmth and laughter echo in this space. All delights are infused with a spirit of hospitality. Royalty Cakes’ creations say ‘welcome’ to everyone in family gatherings, blessing all with great food and tremendous joy.

Royalty Cakes seeks to delight all with a queenly repast. The pastry-making passion is resonated in the chef’s favorite color, purple, which sometimes makes an appearance on specialty cookies and some cakes.

Cristen explains, “Early on, I realized purple represents royalty. I have always felt royal, and so it became part of the branding. My Instagram handle was Ms. Royalty ‘83. My cousins suggested Royalty Cakes. I loved it, and so we kept the name.” Royalty Cakes was born and made its Instagram debut as Royalty Cakes by Cristen Sims @royaltycakes_mn.

Cristen, whose day job has been in customer service at AT&T, is able to apply her customer service skills to expanding her own company, Royalty Cakes.

Cristen says she is now focusing on building a solid foundation for Royalty Cakes, creating a brand and a business that can benefit her family and enthuse clients.

The CEO says, “I want to be a household name,” she states, not a “hit it and quit it.

“I want repeat customers, clients who always come back.” 

She is already well on her way and has pulled family members into production. She has also started a program for young entrepreneurs.

Cristen says, “I am part of a living legacy.”  She aims to continue the family tradition of delightful baking dainties. For others interested in the baking business, she says, “Persistence is important. Keep showing up. Keep moving.”

Royalty Cakes has a Young Entrepreneur program in development. Cristen Sims states, “Eventually, I want to take young people under my wings to show them the same things I know. Even if they do not want to own their own business, this will give them an idea of their value.”