How Emma turned a uni side-hustle into one of Scotland’s most exciting young baking businesses.
When Emma first picked up “Creative Cake” as an extra subject at school, she didn’t imagine it would lead to a full-time career in baking. But fast forward a few years, and her business – Wee Cakes n Bakes – is not only thriving, but expanding rapidly across central Scotland with a loyal following and a reputation for luxury, bespoke bakes. “I started the business in 2019 while I was still at university,” Emma explains. “I’d failed my first year of Speech and Language Therapy so only had one class the following year, so I had loads of free time. I was working a couple of shifts at Tesco and just started making cakes again. I made cakes for my sister’s friends and it kind of snowballed from there.”
Emma didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. After posting a few photos of her cakes on Instagram, a friend urged her to start a business account. “She said, ‘If you don’t do it, I’ll set it up for you!’” Emma laughs. “So, I did, and we called it Wee Cakes n Bakes.”
She started baking from her mum’s kitchen, navigating food hygiene certification and legal requirements as she went. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Emma pivoted quickly. “We closed for two weeks, but then when takeaway was allowed, I started doing contactless cupcake collections. Everyone was on their phones during lockdown, and I was making loads of videos and TikToks. That’s when the Instagram really took off – I hit 10k followers during lockdown.”
Her mum soon converted the garage into a mini bakery, but by the time Emma was finishing her dissertation in fourth year, things had outgrown home. “Mum said, ‘You can run your business as long as you near!’” That’s when Emma opened her first shop in Grangemouth – literally the day after submitting her dissertation. She’s never looked back.
The Wee Cakes n Bakes Team
What started as a one-woman operation is now a growing team. Emma’s sister Hannah is full-time, working alongside Emma from Monday to Friday. Then there’s April, who joined straight from school and recently completed a cake course at college. Seasonal help comes from Abby, who dips in during busy months like summer.
“Everyone in the shop is a young woman who’s grown so much in confidence,” Emma says proudly. “I’m always encouraging them to answer the phone, take charge and just believe in themselves.”
The team handles everything from day-to-day shop sales to large-scale events, but Emma’s heart lies in wedding and celebration cakes. “If I could just decorate all day, I’d be in heaven,” she smiles. “Weddings are my favourite – they’re creative, detailed and each one is unique.”
Emma recently trained under renowned wedding cake artist Sally Cooper in the Lake District, learning advanced ganache techniques. “That took my wedding cakes to a whole new level.”
Beyond the Shop: A Growing Cake Empire
Wee Cakes n Bakes is more than a local shop – it’s a brand on the rise. With regular stalls at business expos, appearances at The Royal Highland Show and Foodies Festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Emma and her team are gaining serious recognition.
They’re also about to supply packages to Orocco Pier in South Queensferry and are expanding production with a second unit – a purpose-built bakery to handle the growing volume of orders.
“The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, and we’re full on weddings at the weekend – travelling all over central Scotland. The new unit will give us more space to bake, while the shop stays focused on retail and collection.”
Her vision? A Wee Cakes n Bakes café and eventually supplying more independent cafés across Scotland.
The Wedding Clan & Giving Back
Emma is also part of The Wedding Clan, a collective of trusted suppliers that includes Irene’s Florist, Taylor Made Kilts, Tommy Hamilton Photography, Pamela Jayne Bridal, and We Are One Wedding Films. Couples who book more than one vendor receive an exclusive discount – and a portion of each booking goes to Strathcarron Hospice.
You’ll often find Emma and her team at the wedding shows at Glenbervie House – Wee Cakes n Bakes are proud to be one of their recommended suppliers.
“We’re in a big growth phase right now,” Emma says. “Yes, the cost of everything is going up, but we’re still expanding. I feel so lucky to have built this with the support of family, my amazing team and our lovely customers.”
Wee Cakes n Bakes
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 2pm
Location: Unit 6, Jackson House, Jackson Avenue, Grangemouth
Follow Wee Cakes n Bakes on Instagram for the latest creations and updates.
@weecakesnbakes