Today we’d like to introduce you to Martina Preston.
Hi Martina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been baking and in the kitchens for what feels like my whole life, but I didn’t have the chance to have professional baking experience until college. I went to school in Kirkland, graduating with dual degrees in English and Media Communication. While in school, I worked for a few local coffee shops with in-house bakeries, learning classical French pastry techniques and enjoying the freedom to experiment with seasonal flavors and new recipes. I also took cake design courses on the side and made desserts for friends and family’s special occasions, so while the business is new, my love for crafting custom cakes has been a longtime passion.
After I graduated a few years ago, I moved to Central Washington and jumped into a new adventure by officially starting my own custom cake business in March 2025– Evergreen Cake Company!
Since launching the business, I’ve been a part of local farmers markets, donated cakes to art auctions, participated in the Leavenworth Wedding Expo, been featured in the Washington Wedding Day magazine, and worked alongside many incredible vendors to bring our clients’ special days to life. I’ve also started hosting cake-and-sip workshops by partnering with local coffee shops to provide guests a cake decorating class with a delicious drink or two on the side!
It’s honestly amazing to me to look back on where I was just a short year ago at the beginning of 2025– worrying about my buttercream recipes and asking friends for business name ideas– and think about how far I’ve come. Since I was a teenager, I’ve always loved the mantra “one step at a time,” and lately I’ve adopted “do the scary thing” as another saying that helps keep me taking the next step forward, even when it feels overwhelming to approach. I have certainly not done this alone, either. The support from my partner Trysten, my family, and my friends, has made a world of difference during this year of learning and growth. Whether it be company on last-minute Costco runs for frankly staggering amounts of butter and eggs, a plate of dinner ready when I’m hours deep in a project and have forgotten to eat, or an encouraging text on a big delivery day, I could not be more grateful for the love and encouragement from those closest to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles! I’ve dropped cakes just before delivery, stacked multi-tier wedding cakes just to realize they’re slightly leaning, and made more batches of broken buttercream than I care to admit. I’ve learned, though, that putting my pride and potential embarrassment aside and simply picking up a piping bag and an offset spatula to get back to work is the best response. A minute spent stressed is a minute that I’m not working to make the situation better– and why waste the time? Once, I was driving back from a cake delivery and got in a minor car accident. Luckily, everyone involved was safe, but I had to ask a few humbling favors to borrow a car and have assistance with setup for a big wedding expo I was a vendor at the very next day.
I’m also a young business owner balancing a full-time job, Evergreen Cake Company as a side business, health, and personal relationships all at once. Every single day, and with every single order, I learn something new and grow in my craft– I can’t wait to see what I learn next!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a custom cake artist, providing desserts for any and all events– I believe that life is the special occasion! Evergreen Cake Company is unique in our specific attention to buttercream- and sugar-based custom designs. Our style is whimsical, bright, and natural, just like our beautiful Evergreen State. I also love coordinating personally with clients to bring their vision to life, so consultation calls and design sketches are foundational to my process. Quite honestly, I’m most proud of my partner Trysten for putting up with me and supporting my ideas as I navigate life as a business owner and keep the freezer stocked with cake rounds instead of reliable meals. On a more professional line, though, I’m proud of each and every cake design I have the chance to bring from paper to plate. It is truly a labor of love. I’m not often attending the special events that I cater, but I had the opportunity to cut and serve the cake for a wedding last fall, and hearing the bride say “Oh my goodness, that’s so good” right after she and the groom did their ceremonial first bite was such a great feeling.
What were you like growing up?
I like to joke that I was raised on the Food Network– I remember watching countless baking shows as a kid, taking notes on flavor combinations and design ideas to try. My parents always encouraged me to learn new and independent skills, so I was in the kitchen testing recipes (and often failing!) ever since elementary school. As a kid, I loved collecting hobbies– I would play the harp, write stories, paint, sew, crochet, garden, make jewelry, design websites, and, of course, bake. I would hand-draw business cards and sketch store layouts for pretend companies that I ran, most notably a typing and design company (which, thankfully, never made a sale), and my own brand as a professional harpist for special events (which, thankfully, did book quite a few gigs). Being a harpist is what I credit for first exposing me to the world of wedding behind-the-scenes– and I loved it.
Pricing:
- 3 Tier (4/6/9″) Custom Cake – $400
- Single Tier (9″) Custom Cake – $100
- One Dozen Cupcakes – $40
- Contact me for detailed quotes!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evergreencakecompany.com
- Instagram: @evergreen.cake.co
