Meet Erin Burton | Sugar Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Burton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think there are many nuances that play into a company’s success-but for ME, if I had to choose just one, I would say its a combination of integrity and passion.

It was important to me that my products be at a professional level before I began selling them to clients. It took me over 10 years to get to that place, and once I was there, there has never been room for complacency. I have a passion for creating desserts that are both works of art AND that taste amazing! That sense of integrity and that passion constantly fuel my desire to grow, as a person, and as a business.

I don’t plan to ever stop chasing the chance to become even better- and I think that mindset has absolutely been a huge factor in my success!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My story goes all the way back to childhood. Maybe I knew, even then, that I didn’t fit the mold. While other girls my age wanted to be teachers and nurses, I wanted to be an artist.

Over the years, my love of art never faded, but practicality had me looking at other paths in life. I found myself in the foodservice industry, and discovered a natural talent in the kitchen. My journey led me to Florida, where I spent some time training in the pastry kitchen of a Disney resort, and then to Kentucky- where eventually, due to a recession and job scarcity, I found myself employed as a grocery store cake decorator….despite not having any decorating experience.

Thankfully, already being a creative type, I was able to pick up cake decorating quickly and easily. I honed my skills both at work and on my own time and discovered a spark- Something that combined my natural talent in the kitchen with my creative spirit and talent as an artist. Eventually, I outgrew that first job as a decorator, but I never stopped learning and growing my skill set. It took me another 10 years to decide to open my own business!

It has definitely not been an easy path. It’s been long, and there have been setbacks, but I have been determined to come out on top. One day at a time, with the love and support of my family and my friends- and the clients that then have become friends and huge supporters! It is truly humbling!

Where am I today, professionally? Well, today I am a Sugar Artist. I specialize in Fine Art Cakes and Sugar Artistry. I *am* the artist that my childhood self aspired to be- but not in the way I imagined. I create art with sugar mediums; I paint, sculpt, mold, manipulate, and coax beauty out of raw materials and bring them to life in the form of cakes or other desserts. It’s my goal to elevate your dessert into a thing of wonder that guests will talk about and remember for years to come!

One thing that does set me apart is my desire to create a unique and truly custom dessert for each client. I don’t copy pictures of other people’s cakes-I want to create a completely custom cake design for each client that really represents them and the overall theme and esthetic they want! When you’re investing so much time into planning your amazing wedding or event, I believe your dessert shouldn’t be an afterthought or just another copy of what someone else did-and I am here to make dessert magic!

I’ve learned over the years that we have to be true to ourselves and follow those nudges. Sometimes breaking away from the mold and deciding to be different can be scary, but it can be exhilarating! Letting go of the fear and embracing who I am frees me up to be my best self- and in turn, to help my clients shine as well!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are SO many wonderful places! I think we would definitely tour the restaurants around the waterway, see a concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, stop by some of the farmers markets and visit Old Town Spring! I would definitely put Nouveau Antique Art Bar on the list, as well as Cacao and Cardamom!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been truly blessed with many encouragers in my life. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to meet many amazing people in this industry, and a handful of those are some of my closets friends. We talk daily, we laugh, we cry, we encourage one another, and we hand out the hard truth when it’s needed. Having this AMAZING support system has absolutely had a profound effect on my life and my business, and I don’t think I would be where I am today without their influence.

Ladies- Melissa, Holley, Kristen, Laurie- I am grateful you *every day*!

Website: www.nouveaucakery.com

Instagram: @nouveau_cakery

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NouveauCakery