Hidden Gems: Meet Marlena Hardy of Lena’s Boutique of Sweets

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlena Hardy

Hi Marlena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, I guess it really started when I was in Highschool back in ‘98. I attended a vocational school where I studied baking. That’s where I learned to bake from scratch and basic decorating skills. It was just supposed to be an easy grade but I guess God had other plans.

For a year or so I made cakes for friends and family but that was it. I lost interest for a long time although I still made cakes for my kids here and there. My mom always tried to get me back into it but I was hardheaded.

Fast forward to 2015, I was working as a pharmacy technician with plans to go back to school for nursing. My coworker (now best friend) Janit, saw a cake I made for my daughter’s birthday and asked “why am I not doing that full time”. She MADE me start it as a side hustle which grew into a business pretty fast!

Although I went to school for baking, I’m still pretty much self taught. Over the years I’ve learned all types of decorating skills. I’m naturally creative and very good with my hands so this comes naturally to me.

Today I do this full time and have been for the past five years. Although I’m still growing and learning, I consider myself to be pretty successful. Thanks to God and word of mouth, I do pretty good for myself.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road for me, but nothing worth having ever comes easy. There were definitely times when I wanted to give up and go back to a 9-5, but I couldn’t let myself quit.

I struggled a lot— and still sometimes do— with pricing. It took a couple of years before I actually saw any real profit. When you start a business, you make money, but then you have to put it right back into the business. With no prior education in business and no one to guide me, I had to learn everything on my own.

Time management was another challenge. Balancing children, a husband, and a job while building a business wasn’t easy, but eventually, I figured it out.

In the beginning, I said yes to every cake request, which left me exhausted. I also lowered my prices just to please customers because I thought I “needed” to get my name out there. But over time, I realized that not everyone is my customer— and that’s okay. Today, I charge my worth!

We’ve been impressed with Lena’s Boutique of Sweets, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the proud owner of Lena’s Boutique of Sweets, a home-based bakery in Oakland County since 2016.

I create all kinds of cakes, from birthdays to weddings, but kids’ cakes are my specialty—I absolutely love making them! I also offer treats like chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels, and cookies, just to name a few. In addition, I dabble in party favors such as personalized chip bags, water bottles, and candy bars.

What sets me apart from other businesses is my customer service. I build real connections with my customers, taking the time to understand their vision and bring it to life. When I see my customers, I don’t see dollar signs—I see people. That’s why I don’t have an online ordering system or someone else taking my orders. I need to speak directly with my customers to make sure everything is just right.

I take great pride in my creativity. Often, I’m asked to recreate cakes that seem intimidating, but my customers always say, “I trust you.” That trust pushes me, and I love the challenge. Sometimes, I even surprise myself—I’ll finish a cake, step back, and say, “Okay, Marlena, you did that!” God has truly blessed me with a gift, and I’m so proud of it!

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under Lena’s Boutique of Sweets.

I typically book about three weeks in advance, but depending on the order, I may be able to fit you in—so always reach out, even if it’s last minute. The worst I can say is no! ☺️ I don’t mind being contacted on social media, but for the fastest response, texting is best.

What’s next?
I plan to open a storefront in the future—prayerfully within the next 1-2 years. I’m also considering offering classes for those interested in joining the baking industry. And lastly, I’m excited to start hosting cake decorating parties—kind of like Painting with a Twist, but with cakes! So be on the lookout for that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Lenas_boutique_of_sweets
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Lenasboutiqueofsweets
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lenas_boutique_of_sweets?_t=ZT-8uMrnAEsMPK&_r=1