What's Your Why?

Dear Friends,

I write to you today not to discuss cake, but to unpack the “why” behind it. To let you know why I do what I do, why Jorie Cakes exists, and why it matters to you.

I’ll introduce my why using two of my most favorite books—both of which I read during the pandemic. At first glance, they’re total opposites.

The first is about a retired Navy SEAL, one of the world’s most elite athletes, and the second is a series of blog posts from a former cake business owner about how to run a sweet food company, and they couldn’t be more similar.

Wait, similar? How?

You don’t have to read too far to understand the ultimate message from each author is about knowing your “why” before life gets tough. Then, when you want to throw in the towel, instead you rise.

David Goggins, AKA one of my life heroes and quite frankly one of the toughest you-know-what’s this earth has ever seen, lives in his discomfort zone. Enduring three hell weeks during SEAL training certainly requires knowing your why inside and out, otherwise no one would ever attempt it.

Goggins goes on to run multiple Ultra Marathons (many of which 100+ miles each), and says, “In the most painful time in my entire life I saw the most beauty of my life...because I knew I wasn’t gonna quit.” He knows his why.

Another potential life hero of mine (I’m still finishing her book and listening to her podcast!) is Michelle Green, former cake business owner and an expert on all things cake, life, and mental health. Her mantra—and therefore message to her readers—is “your business, your rules.”

And darn it, she’s right!

She’s also right about a customer-centric business. Being in charge isn’t a good reason to be in business. Serving customers, however, might be better.

Whether you’re running an Ultra Marathon or making your 75th sugar flower of the day, you must know your why. Let’s hope I never find myself in the Ultra Marathon situation, and if I do, I must have a dang good reason to be there.

Knowing your why seems extra imperative right now in what seems like the heat of battle—for me, for you, for every business owner, citizen, friend, neighbor, teacher, human. We all have different whys, but we all bring value to the world.

While I’ve been off in happy cake land decorating, photographing, and serving joy, I’ve also been having conversations surrounding the brokenness in our country with some very close friends. These conversations involved a lot more listening than talking, and resulted in a whole lot of thinking. Each conversation pointed to a need for love, a desire to belong, and a yearning for purpose.

I think it’s important that I clarify the why behind Jorie Cakes, since my business and I are one and the same, and I believe I have a God-given calling that extends beyond the walls of my kitchen.

Jorie Cakes exists to bring you joy, primarily by serving you awesome cake. But that’s not the only way.

Sometimes joy looks like cutting your first slice of cake as a married couple in front of friends and family.

Sometimes joy is receiving a surprise box of cupcakes in the middle of a pandemic.

And sometimes joy is the simple fact of knowing someone cares.

I care, without condition.

And I do my best caring when there’s buttercream frosting involved.

The concept of knowing your why isn’t new, in fact I could probably recite Simon Sinek’s most-watched TED line-by-line about knowing your why. *Bonus points if you read this blog post AND watch this video!

It is my goal to continue doing business with wonderful people who believe there’s good in the world, who make others feel loved, and who spread joy in their own gifted ways.

I am hopeful for a time when all of our joy endlessly abounds; when all of our differences are celebrated; when we all come together over a really great slice of cake.

Until then, let us all remember we have important whys, we have reasons for joy, and we all have the power to leave everyone we meet feeling loved.

So, what’s your why?

With heartfelt gratitude to my customers—who are my why,

jorie