I love cake, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't. When I first came across Mia Stav Cakes on Instagram, I spent an embarrassing amount of time scrolling through the photos, drooling over every cake. When I found out the mastermind behind these confectionary masterpieces is Mia Stavropoulos, a 19-year old who bakes every cake out of her kitchen, I knew I wanted to chat with her!

Learn all about Mia and her cakes – they're both equally as sweet!

My Midwest Is Showing: Tell me about your business.

Mia Stavropoulos: Mia Stav Cakes is a made to order, custom cake/cupcake business. I make cakes for any occasion, from small birthday cakes to larger scale wedding cakes. I currently bake and sell out of my home kitchen, so all of my cakes are by special order only.

MMWIS: What's a normal day like for you?

MS: A normal day for me is usually spent in the kitchen! I’m either baking or decorating for an order, or testing out new recipes and flavors for upcoming orders.

MMWIS: How long have you been baking cakes?

MS: I’ve been baking for as long as I can remember. When I was younger it was always box mixes in a 13 by 9 inch pan. It wasn’t until about a year and a half ago that I baked my first cake from scratch and properly decorated it!

MMWIS: How did you learn to bake/decorate cakes?

MS: I’m 100% self taught. Between Instagram and YouTube and all the baking blogs on the internet these days, I’ve been able to teach myself everything I’ve needed to know to get to where I am today!

MMWIS: Where do you get inspiration for your cakes?

MS: I get inspiration from all over! Sometimes a customer gives me the elements they would like to see on their cake and I get an immediate vision. Other times I’m scrolling through Instagram and see a cake I really love and I recreate it with my own style. There’s also times where I’m completely stumped, so I hop on Pinterest and I’ll see something that will totally spark an idea.

MMWIS: What's your favorite flavor?

MS: That’s so hard. It super depends on my mood. I think I’m most confident in my chocolate cake recipe! That’s definitely the favorite among my family and friends. But the Caramel Delite Girl Scout cookie cake I made recently might be my new favorite cake I’ve ever made.

MMWIS: What's your favorite cake you've ever decorated?

MS: This is even harder! It’s like trying to pick a favorite child...I love making “pretty” cakes the best, though. So the ones that look painted I really love. I also LOVE using fresh flowers on a cake. I’d say my favorite cake at the moment is my Easter bunny cake. It’s the flowers...they make my heart happy.

MMWIS: What else do you like to bake or cook?

MS: I love baking cookies! I have the BEST oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe that’s been passed down to me from my grandma, which she got from her dad. To be honest, I love cookies more than I like cake. Is that bad to say? As for cooking, I can keep myself fed. Definitely haven’t mastered that side of the kitchen, but I try!

MMWIS: If someone wants one of your cakes, how can they get one?

MS: If someone wants to order they can message me on Instagram or Facebook. There’s also a “Text” button below the bio of my Instagram profile!

MMWIS: What are you currently reading? Watching? Listening to?

MS: I haven’t read a book in an embarrassing amount of time! I love listening to podcasts though. My favorite at the moment is David Dobrik’s podcast, “Views.” I’m currently rewatching Gilmore Girls for the billionth time. I’ve been listening to LANY a ton lately.

MMWIS: If someone was visiting Wisconsin for the first time, what would you tell them to do first?

MS: EAT! Culver’s cheese curds, Kopp’s custard. All of the Wisconsin delicacies.

MMWIS: Favorite thing about the Midwest?

MS: I like that I stand out here. If I were trying to launch this business in NYC, I’d be a dime a dozen. Here it’s something more unique and special that you don’t see everywhere. Nobody around here is doing exactly what I’m doing. I love that.

MMWIS: How does your Midwest show through your personality and/or what you do?

MS: I feel like I’m a genuine person, and I think that shows through my work. I try hard to stay true to my own style and let my personality shine through every cake I make.

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