Amanda Drüken’s journey from a tumultuous childhood to becoming a celebrated cake artist and successful entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience and creativity. At the age of 15, Amanda faced the harsh realities of life on the streets, which fueled her determination to seek a better future. By 24, she embarked on her entrepreneurial path, experimenting with various industries before discovering her true passion accidentally in 2017 when she baked a cake for her son’s first birthday. Despite having no prior baking experience, Amanda quickly honed her skills through online resources. The overwhelming encouragement from friends, family, and strangers on social media propelled her to transform this newfound talent into a thriving business. See her work on https://www.thepinupkitchen.com.
Over the past year, Amanda has achieved significant milestones that underscore her dedication and talent. She successfully fought against an illegal eviction by an LLC, ultimately negotiating a settlement that brought her justice and empowered other tenants to seek fair resolutions in their cases. With the settlement money, she launched a side business by investing in vending machines placed in schools, combining entrepreneurship with community fundraising. This venture also serves as a valuable lesson for her son, teaching him the fundamentals of business from a young age, instilling the principles of entrepreneurship early on.
Amanda’s accolades and recognition continue to grow. In 2023, she was awarded Best Bespoke Bakery by Luxe Life magazine and received a certificate of recognition from the vice mayor and City of Long Beach for her dedication to promoting equity and inclusion, as well as her efforts in fundraising and community activism. Her career reached new heights when she became the official cake artist for Big Brother Season 25, with her cake featured on the show. Additionally, Amanda’s roster of celebrity clientele has expanded significantly, reflecting her growing influence and reputation in the industry.
Beyond her cake artistry, Amanda’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her investment in a close friend’s inspirational documentary film project, which became the #1 streamed movie on Peacock, featuring an A-list cast and top musicians. She was also elected to represent a prominent Long Beach nonprofit supporting the local LGBTQ community for the 2024 campaign year, underscoring her commitment to advocacy and social justice. Amanda’s story is one of transformation, turning adversity into opportunity, and using her success to uplift others, making her an inspiration to all who aspire to pursue their dreams with relentless determination.
1. Can you tell us more about your journey as an entrepreneur and how you started your cake artistry business?
My entrepreneurial journey has been a long one. I left home at 15 due to a tumultuous family life. After living on the streets for most of the first year, I knew I didn’t want to go back home but needed to do something to get myself off the streets and avoid becoming like the people I was surrounded by. With no job experience at that age and struggling to stay in school, I had to be resourceful to gain employment. I realized the only way I was going to build the life I wanted and change my situation was by having the flexibility of working on a schedule that worked for me, which meant creating my own employment. I’ve been an entrepreneur since the age of 24. I’ve worn many hats and have tried my hand in many industries. Some ventures were okay, and some were failures—from event planning to online retail, even bartending and massage. It’s been a long journey to finally find a business that was the right fit for me, and it happened accidentally!
My cake artistry journey started in 2017. My son was the catalyst for my business. I wanted to make his first birthday cake. Never having even baked a cake from a box, I went on YouTube to find tips and ideas to make him something really cool. I found recipes online and tweaked them until I loved them. Then, I practiced decorating techniques I learned online and posted my cakes online for family and friends to see. It snowballed from there.
2. What inspired you to pursue cake artistry, and how did you develop your skills in this field?
The inspiration to pursue cake decorating was a culmination of encouragement from friends, family, and strangers, along with my own courage to try something new that I never thought I could do. Once friends and family saw the photos of the cakes I was making online, they got excited and encouraged me to sell my cakes and start a business. Having just started making cakes and still experimenting, I didn’t think it was a great idea. However, I had strangers contact me on social media, asking me to make cakes for them. With no real experience under my belt and the false notion that I had to go to pastry school before I could have any business making this a career, I was very hesitant. They offered me money and pleaded with me to try. I thought to myself, “I’ve given them the disclaimer, so if I mess up, it’s on them, lol.” I agreed, took on their projects, and nailed every one. That gave me the confidence to keep going. I finally thought, maybe I’m onto something here. Within the first year, I left my job, registered my business, and started making cakes full-time.
I developed my skills by going back online and searching for videos and tutorials from people I admired and learning from them. I attended cake conventions, met with celebrity chefs like Ron Ben-Israel and Adriano Zumbo, and picked their brains for tips and advice. I took online and in-person classes from some of my favorite cake artists like Timbo Sullivan and Laura E. Varela.
3. Could you share some of the major milestones or achievements you have accomplished since starting your business?
Some of my major milestones and achievements since starting include placing in all the decorating competitions I have entered—even in the early stages of my career. I gained attention from major networks like Food Network, Netflix, and HBO Max, who considered me for baking shows and competitions. I appeared on a live segment on KTLA morning news. And, of course, I’ve gained and grown my roster of celebrity clientele, creating cakes for TV shows, movies, and major corporations. My most meaningful milestones, though, have been connecting with the community. One example is St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, where I made hundreds of cupcakes to donate to feed the nurses and doctors in the COVID unit working overtime during the peak of the pandemic. It was tiring but so rewarding.
4. How do you differentiate yourself and your cake artistry business from competitors in the industry?
How I differentiate myself from my competition is through my personality. My business is not just a job; I’m passionate about creating, and my excitement for what I do shows through in my designs, flavors, and unique creations for my clients. I take the time to get to know my clients so I can tailor a unique design that’s personal to them and that they will love. My attention to detail really shines through.
5. What strategies or approaches have you implemented to successfully partner with big companies in your industry?
The strategies I’ve implemented to successfully partner with large companies in my industry are simple: I be myself. I let my personality and creativity speak for themselves. I use products from the companies I love, and they approach me. I’m genuine. The right people will see that. Just having fun and being positive is a sure way to manifest the people and opportunities you want in your life.
6. Can you discuss any challenges you have faced as a single mother and entrepreneur, and how you have overcome them?
The challenges I’ve faced as a single mother and entrepreneur have been great and plenty. Being new to the country and not having family or friends for support meant doing everything solo and starting from scratch. Nursing and changing diapers while juggling the navigation of starting a business I knew nothing about, going through a toxic breakup, and dealing with family court alone was scary and felt like a hurdle I would never overcome. Due to pregnancy complications, I couldn’t go back to my job, which meant I didn’t have the money for everything I needed, like professional tools. I literally started with a bowl and a spatula, mixing everything by hand. I had to wait until I sold a few cakes before I could finally purchase a simple hand mixer. I had to be resourceful and use household items I had on hand to create the decorations and textures for my designs. It was only determination and patience that allowed me to overcome these challenges. Everything took two to three times longer since I was caring for a newborn while learning these new skills on my own. But with every cake sold, I was able to keep growing, buy new tools to help me craft better cakes, and slowly build my portfolio to present to prospective clients.
7. How do you manage work-life balance while running a successful business and taking care of your son?
Managing a work-life balance with my son is easier now that he’s of school age. I still work with my son in tow quite often, but I get those breaks during the day while he’s in school to work uninterrupted. I take advantage of the community resources available to me, like free after-school programs and summer day camps in my neighborhood. Making sure I book my gym time in the morning, like an appointment after I drop him off at school, is a way that I make sure I keep my physical and mental health in check.
8. What is your vision for the future of your cake artistry business, and what steps are you taking to achieve that vision?
My vision for the future of my business is to keep growing my client list and creating bigger and more challenging works of edible art. The goal is to have fun and inspire my son and others to follow their dreams and personal freedom while leaving a legacy my child can be proud of and learn from. Continuing to challenge myself and obtain new skills along the way are just a couple of steps I’m taking to achieve that.
9. Can you share any valuable lessons or advice you have learned along your entrepreneurial journey that could benefit aspiring entrepreneurs?
Valuable lessons I have learned along the way include never doubting yourself. It’s super cliché but so true—you never know until you try. I still think it’s surreal that I’m doing what I’m doing now, lol. Only you know your goals and visions, so don’t let others get in your head and persuade you otherwise. It’s your blueprint. You get to design the life and the business you want. It’s okay to grow at your own pace.
10. How do you stay motivated and continue to manifest the life you want, especially during challenging times?
I stay motivated and continue to manifest the life I want, especially during challenging times, by celebrating all the milestones I’ve accomplished and hurdles I’ve overcome so far. Of course, my son is a motivating factor, but I don’t forget where I came from, and I’m proud of what I’ve already achieved and what I have gone through to achieve it. I continue to stay motivated by listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and motivational speakers or by meeting new people to hear their journeys. Their stories inspire me because so many people have built something from nothing. Not everyone, like myself, had the knowledge or tools they needed to get started. I continue to seek out new resources and not make excuses for myself.
11. What inspired you to change your mindset and take back your life after being in a toxic relationship?
My son inspired me to change my mindset and take back my life after being in a toxic relationship. I wanted not only to break the cycle and pursue what I deserved but also to set a good example for the man he would become, the influence he would have in this world, and to raise a young man worthy of someone exceptional in his life when he grows up.
12. How did becoming a mother impact your perspective and drive to succeed in your personal and professional life?
Becoming a mother impacted my perspective on succeeding in my personal and professional life by making me focus on long-term goals rather than short-term ones, taking things day by day. I no longer had just myself to think about, so there was a greater sense of urgency in my drive to succeed. I still took risks because they were worth it to me, but failure wasn’t an option. I became more determined than ever to ensure that those risks had exceptional outcomes. There was a bigger picture to consider.
13. Can you share any specific strategies or techniques you used to overcome the challenges you faced during that transformative period?
I didn’t have any specific strategies or techniques to overcome the challenges I faced during that transformative period. I simply made sure to utilize all possible resources around me to stay motivated and continue my growth. This included anything from podcasts, audiobooks, networking in public, being active in the community, and connecting with other entrepreneurs and women who had gone through similar challenges.
14. How has your personal growth journey influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and building a successful business?
My personal growth journey has significantly influenced my approach to entrepreneurship and building a successful business. This journey has taught me to reach out to others and not be afraid to ask for help. It also taught me how to say no and to live life by my own rules, doing what is right and comfortable for myself. I’ve learned that I don’t exist for the convenience of others. It’s okay to challenge myself and take risks. The only real failure is taking no risks at all—no risks mean no opportunities. The wins come from learning from my experiences and carrying those lessons forward.
15. What role has determination and resilience played in your journey as a single mother and boss lady cake artist?
Determination and resilience have played a huge role in my journey as a single mother and boss lady cake artist. If I had listened to my doubts or believed that my lack of experience meant I couldn’t succeed, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Some of the most successful people in the world started from the bottom without a roadmap or blueprint for where they were going or what they were trying to build. Determination opened my mind to learning all the new skills and knowledge I have acquired. Resilience got me through tough times and gave me the strength to ignore the naysayers. I knew what my vision was for my business, and I didn’t let anyone tell me I was wrong because my vision didn’t match their expectations for what my business should look like.
16. Can you talk about the support system or resources that have helped you along the way?
When I first started, I didn’t have a support system or many resources. I had to acquire those slowly over time. Being a single mother in a new country, it was difficult to source them out. However, I wasn’t embarrassed to ask around or take advantage of the resources available. I used community services like childcare and free community advertising, joined nonprofits to give back to the community and build a reputation, and exchanged services with other entrepreneurs. I put myself out there to meet as many people as I could, called on neighbors even though it felt intimidating at the time, and built my own support system. I’m happy to say that those people still surround me today.
17. How do you maintain a positive mindset and overcome self-doubt when faced with obstacles?
The way I maintain a positive mindset and overcome self-doubt when faced with obstacles is by continuously speaking positivity into my life. I strongly believe in manifestation. By looking back at all my accomplishments and the struggles I’ve overcome since I left home at 15, I find not only a source of pride but also a humble reminder of the strength one woman can have. This reflection gives me the confidence and fearlessness to tackle anything set before me. Knowing that my story and situation can inspire or encourage other entrepreneurs or women in various situations is also a huge motivating factor to keep my head high and push on.
18. Are there any specific values or principles that guide your decision-making as an entrepreneur and individual?
The specific values and principles that guide my decision-making as an entrepreneur and individual are staying true to myself and my path. Being loyal to myself, my friends, my family, and my clients is essential. This means building my business because I’m passionate about it, not because I’m trying to milk the common consumer. I love what I do and am passionate about sharing my craft with others. What’s most important about the life I am building is living a free and comfortable life, doing what I love, and living on my own terms and schedule. I’ve worked hard for the peace I finally have in my life, so there’s no better way to maintain that than by staying genuine, moving with purpose, and having good intentions.
19. How has your experience as an immigrant shaped your perspective on success and achieving your goals in a foreign country?
My experience as an immigrant has shaped my perspective on success and achieving my goals in a foreign country by forcing me to work harder and be more mindful of my failures and consequences. While I have sought out resources available to me, I didn’t always have the same opportunities or resources as people who are from here. Being an immigrant strengthened my determination to make things work and find ways to grow my business and secure a future for myself and my son. A lot of my drive comes from proving to myself that it can be done. Perhaps my success is partly driven by spite toward those who were waiting to see me fail.
20. Can you share a memorable moment or story that encapsulates your transformation from someone who had never baked a cake from scratch to a successful cake artist and entrepreneur?
There isn’t one specific moment or story that encapsulates my transformation from someone who had never baked a cake—even from a box—to a successful cake artist and entrepreneur. Instead, it’s a culmination of many small moments, projects, and experiences that have shaped my career and growth. I could mention meeting with celebrity cake artists and chefs, delivering cakes to clients’ private jets, winning awards, or seeing my cakes on TV. Perhaps being featured live on the morning news, being able to give back generously to my community, or just those special moments when my son shows excitement and pride for the birthday cakes I make him, which is the whole reason I started this in the first place. It’s all of these memorable moments collectively that have shaped my success in this business.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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