Conversations with Johanna Riggs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Riggs.

Hi Johanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Johanna, and I’m the owner of For Heaven’s Cake. I grew up on my grandparents dairy farm in Dalton, OH and have always enjoyed baking sweet treats with my mom- my favorite being Christmas cookies; we would bake dozens each year for parties and our churches yearly cookie walk.
After I married my high school sweetheart in 2017, we moved to Wooster. I began baking all sorts of desserts and quickly realized how much I loved trying new things and having friends and family sample my treats. In 2018, I decided to open my business as a “hobby business”.
Once I had my daughter, I quit my day job and was able to focus more on my baking business and began offering seasonal items to allow me to try creating new things and it was a way for people to try my desserts in a fun way.
I opened my business with the intention it’d be just cupcakes, but throughout the years I’ve widened my menu to just about everything you can think of!
I wanted to offer something that a lot of big bakery businesses don’t, and that’s to provide sweets that are all made from scratch. I didn’t realize till I was in the business that most bakeries make most of their desserts from box mixes-which obviously saves them money, but doesn’t guarantee the best flavor and product.
I make everything from the best, fresh ingredients, and when I can, will shop local, such as using farm fresh eggs, local butter and milk, etc. They are also preservative free- yay!
I not only focus on the quality and taste of my desserts, but pride myself on the representation. I LOVE making gift boxes for my customers and put a lot of thought on how to make them look beautiful for gifts.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle I’ve faced with my business was after I had my son, who is now two. He was born with a lymphatic malformation which took up a lot of time during my high risk pregnancy and after he was born when we had a lot of surgeries form him.

But, once the word got out about our situation, our community really came through with unbelievable support! The support helped us our family tremendously with our medical bills.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of For Heaven’s Cake where I make all things sweet! I am most proud of how far I’ve come with make cakes! When I first started, I didnt know much about making cakes, but now I THRIVE making beautiful custom cakes for my customers!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t give up, and practice, practice, practice!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://johannariggs.wixsite.com/my-site-1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forheavenscakewoo/