Meet Susana Otalora | Cake artist

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

Hi Susana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my cake business was deeply personal and rooted in both love and loss. Before becoming a mother, I worked as an elementary bilingual teacher. But after having my daughter, my perspective shifted—I wanted to be fully present for her and enjoy those precious early years. The turning point came around her first birthday, when I lost my mom. That loss reshaped my priorities completely.

My mom was not only my biggest supporter but also the one who always encouraged me to pursue my passions. In her final days, she reminded me to live a life filled with purpose and joy. Starting this business became a way to honor her memory, keep her spirit alive, and create something meaningful for my family. Baking allows me to express creativity, stay connected to my roots, and build a legacy my daughter can be proud of.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Susana’s Desserts House at the beginning of 2023, driven by passion and a dream. I specialize in Bundt cakes, but over time, I expanded to offer customized buttercream cakes to meet the unique needs of each client. What sets my business apart from many other cake shops is that everything is truly homemade—made from scratch with love. Our signature style features soft, fruit-forward buttercreams and fillings, which we offer for every cake, no matter the size or level of customization.

I’m incredibly proud of how far the business has come. Susana’s Desserts House has grown to be recognized not just in Hays County, but also in parts of the Austin area. What makes me especially proud is that I do it all myself—I’m the CEO, the baker, the decorator, the delivery person, the content creator, and the customer service rep. Every part of this business has my hands and heart in it.

It’s not easy. Balancing everything, especially with my daughter at home most of the time, is challenging. But my love and passion for baking are what keep me going. I’ve learned that being organized is essential—having a schedule, planning ahead, and being honest with both my customers and myself about what I can and can’t take on. These principles are what keep my business strong and growing.

My dream is for Susana’s Desserts House to become the number one cake destination in Kyle, Texas—a place where every dessert helps create lasting memories. I want each bite to feel like something made in your grandma’s kitchen: full of warmth, love, and tradition.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hays County is a hidden gem, full of charm and fun, and perfect for a week-long getaway. If my best friend were visiting, I’d start right here in Kyle, Texas. One of my absolute favorite spots is La Ola Pop Shop—they have the best ice cream in the city! It’s a super fun and colorful place, especially great if you’re visiting with kids.

For food lovers, we’d explore some of the amazing local BBQ joints around town—there’s nothing like Texas barbecue. On a hot day, we’d stop by Main Squeeze for a refreshing lemonade or smoothie, the perfect pick-me-up while exploring.

Mid-week, we’d take a short drive to Buda and browse through some of the cute local boutiques there—perfect for finding unique gifts or something special for yourself. We’d also make time to visit New Braunfels and Gruene, two of my favorite places for a fun day trip. Between the historic charm, great food, live music, and river views, there’s always something going on. Gruene Hall is a must-see for music lovers!

Throughout the week, we’d balance good food, local shopping, and relaxing outings with a few sweet treats from Susana’s Desserts House, of course! The goal would be to give them a little taste of everything that makes this area so special—family-friendly charm, delicious flavors, and the warmth of small-town Texas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe so much of my journey to my two biggest supporters from day one—my daughter and my husband. My daughter is the reason I traded classroom walls for a mixer and an oven. After losing my mom, she gave my life a renewed sense of purpose and became the inspiration behind starting my own home-based business. And my husband—my unwavering supporter and my honest judge—has been by my side through it all. He’s the one who tries every recipe and tells me the truth, always with my best interest at heart. He listens to my dreams, encourages them, and most importantly, helps me bring them to life.

Website: https://www.susanasdessertshouse.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanasdesserts_house?igsh=c3R3d2U2cmFyN2c5&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BsQDtsGu5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BsQDtsGu5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanas.desserts?_t=ZT-8wr2iDbJktC&_r=1