Behind every beautiful cake is a story, and behind Popatoo Cakes is a woman, who is driven by a desire to do better. We sat down with the founder and sole baker of this charming bespoke cake business, Monica Warren, to talk about her journey, her passion, and where she sees her brand going next.

What motivated you to start a cake business?

It started with a personal disappointment. When I ordered a first birthday cake for my daughter, I was let down by the quality of what arrived, and that moment sparked something in me. I realised there was a real gap in the market for high-quality, beautifully crafted cakes available at a realistic budget. But for me, it has never been purely about the cake itself. It is about the service that surrounds it: the conversations, the collaboration, and ultimately, the joy of bringing someone’s vision to life and witnessing that moment when they see it for the very first time.

How did you come up with the name ‘Popatoo’?

Before cakes, our family shared our home with a wonderfully characterful cockatoo named Kiki. Kiki had the kind of big, bold personality that filled every room and inspired more than a few laughs along the way. One day, my husband was playing around with words and landed on “Popatoo”, a playful blend of “pop” and “cockatoo” that somehow perfectly captured Kiki’s lively, larger-than-life spirit. It was a made-up word that made us smile, and when it came to naming the business, nothing else came close. Popatoo was fun, unique, and full of warmth, everything I wanted the brand to be. Kiki may no longer be with us, but her name lives on in every cake that leaves my kitchen.

What is your favourite aspect of owning your own business?

The freedom to shape my own direction is something I genuinely treasure. Having control over where the business goes creatively, commercially, and personally is incredibly empowering. The flexibility to manage my own hours allows me to be present for my family while still pursuing something I love. That said, I always encourage people who dream of doing it alone to be clear-eyed about the realities. With that independence comes a very real sense of responsibility and, at times, insecurity. There is no safety net in the way there might be in traditional employment, and you must be mentally prepared for the demands that come with running every single aspect of a business yourself.

What is your general process for completing an order?

People often imagine that making a cake simply means baking, and whilst baking is of course central, it represents just one part of a much broader process. A basic single-tier cake can take a minimum of six to eight hours to create from start to finish, and that is before you factor in everything else that happens behind the scenes.

Managing the business means wearing many hats simultaneously. I maintain a careful diary to track orders and deadlines, plan bespoke designs in consultation with each client, source and purchase ingredients, and oversee stock inventory, all while adhering to strict food hygiene protocols. Client communication is an ongoing thread throughout, ensuring every detail is exactly right before a single layer is baked.

On top of all of this, I manage the business’s social media presence and keep the website updated, often whilst juggling multiple orders at once. Working under pressure, including during summer heatwaves, which present their own challenges for cake-making, is simply part of the job. It is demanding, but it is also deeply rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about making bespoke cakes?

Without question, it is the moment of reveal. There is something truly magical about seeing a client’s face when they lay eyes on a cake that they had only imagined, a design they described to me in words, and which I have worked to bring to life in sugar and sponge. That split second of recognition, delight, and emotion is what drives everything I do. Knowing that my work will be at the heart of someone’s celebration, and that it contributed to a happy memory, is a privilege I never take for granted. Behind every cake is a personal story, and I truly feel honoured to play a small part in each celebration. My work is deeply rooted in my faith, and every cake is lovingly prayed over, with a heartfelt request for God’s blessing upon those who will share it. I hope that each bite brings not only sweetness, but also love and peace. Every cake is made with genuine care and intention. It may sound simple, but love is truly the most important ingredient in everything I create.

Where do you think Popatoo will take you in the future?

I am genuinely excited about the direction things are heading. Over the past year or so, I have been creating more wedding cakes, and I was recently honoured to be nominated for the Wedding Industry Awards, recognition that means a great deal to me and has confirmed that this is a sector I would love to explore further.

Weddings hold a special significance for me. Couples have so many details to manage, and so many decisions to make, and I feel a great sense of responsibility in being trusted with something as symbolic as their wedding cake. My goal is always to make the cake element as smooth and enjoyable a process as possible, so that when the big day arrives, they can simply relax and savour every moment. If Popatoo can play even a small part in making that day feel perfect, then I know I am doing something right.

Thank you Monica for taking the time to talk to us, your bespoke cake business is an inspiration and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Popatoo Cakes.

You can take a look at Monica’s beautiful cakes via her Instagram, @popatoocakes or head to her website to make a booking!