We recently had the chance to connect with Carolina Montoya Pelaez and have shared our conversation below.
Carolina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that’s been bringing me a lot of joy recently is a community I started called Mujer Independiente, which means ‘Independent Woman.’ It’s a space where I help women entrepreneurs, especially those launching startups, to build financial confidence, grow their businesses, and feel empowered to reach their goals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey began while watching my favorite shows on the Food Network, where I realized I could combine my architectural background with my love for baking to create something truly unique — edible art. By merging these two creative worlds, I discovered a way to design unforgettable cakes that delight not only the eye but also the heart. That’s how Unique Designer’s Cake was born.
I evolved from being an architect specializing in scale models and a passionate kitchen enthusiast into a cake designer and baker.
Thanks to my experience in scale model design, we achieve an extraordinary level of precision and craftsmanship that sets our cakes apart. Each creation bursts with color, texture, and warmth — radiating the joy and energy we pour into our work. One of our most recognized specialties is crafting intricate gingerbread house replicas of real buildings, a tradition that has brought us recognition and joy over the past 15 years.
Beyond the artistry, what truly fulfills me is spending time with my son, creating sweet memories and happiness together. That’s the heart of what I do — designing cakes that celebrate creativity, family, and the beauty of life’s sweetest moments.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
“Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a scale model maker living my dream. I was doing work I was passionate about—creating detailed architectural models that challenged me creatively and made me genuinely proud.”
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
One thing I miss that no one knows about is my close relationship with architecture. Even though I’m incredibly grateful and blessed to be successful in the cake world—and my architectural background is a big part of what sets me apart—I truly miss the connection I once had with designing spaces.
I still see potential in every house and every corner; my mind never stops imagining how a space could come to life. Creativity is essential in cake design too, and I love bringing imagination into my work, but there’s a part of me that knows I can create meaningful impact in real-scale environments as well. That connection to architecture is something I still carry with me, and I quietly miss.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely—what you see is what I am. The public version of me is the real me. I’m authentic, honest, and a little crazy in the best way, and I show up exactly as I am.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I understand deeply—something many people overlook—is that success has very little to do with income, status, or material possessions. Real success is being at peace with yourself, loving what you do, and having the freedom to live the life you choose, not the life you feel pressured to live.
Happiness and success are decisions. You choose how you want to show up in the world, and you are the architect of your own destiny. No one else can build that for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designerscake.com
- Instagram: uniquedesignerscake
- Linkedin: designerscake
- Facebook: designers cake
