Founder Spotlight: Carmen Waugh Transforms Three Generations of Family Recipes Into a Growing Gourmet Dessert Brand

Braselton, Georgia — Entrepreneurship is often built on a single moment of inspiration, but for Carmen Waugh, founder of Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC, it began generations ago in her grandmother's kitchen.

Built from the treasured recipes of her grandmother, affectionately known as Grandmother Lottie, Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC represents more than a gourmet dessert company — it represents family, tradition, perseverance, and the belief that it is never too late to pursue a new dream.

As a third-generation baker, Carmen has transformed her family's baking heritage into a modern food brand offering premium gourmet cake mixes and her signature innovation, the Cakie Bar® — a unique layered dessert experience combining moist cake and rich chocolate into an indulgent treat unlike anything else on the market.

“I wanted to honor my grandmother's legacy while creating something innovative for today's dessert lovers,” Carmen shares. “Baking has always been about more than food — it's about bringing people together, celebrating special moments, and sharing love through every recipe.”

From the Operating Room to Entrepreneurship

Before becoming a founder, Carmen spent 31 years building an accomplished career in healthcare as a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA). Her years in the operating room shaped the discipline, precision, and commitment to excellence that now guide her approach to entrepreneurship.

Throughout her career, Carmen earned an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, and Master's degree while developing the skills and resilience needed to navigate high-pressure environments.

Today, those same values influence every aspect of Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC — from product development and quality control to customer experience and brand growth. Her journey from healthcare professional to entrepreneur is a testament to reinvention and determination.

“Every chapter of my life prepared me for the next one,” Carmen explains. “The skills I learned in healthcare — attention to detail, perseverance, and caring for others — are the same values I bring into building this company.”

Making Gourmet Baking Accessible

Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC was created to solve a challenge many dessert lovers face: wanting the taste and quality of homemade bakery desserts without the time, experience, or ingredients required to create them from scratch.

The brand's gourmet cake mixes allow customers to create bakery-quality desserts at home with simple preparation and exceptional results. Alongside its cake mixes, the company's signature Cakie Bar® introduces a fresh concept to the dessert category by combining layers of moist cake and premium chocolate into a convenient gourmet treat.

The product line is designed for dessert enthusiasts, busy families, gift shoppers, specialty retailers, and customers who appreciate quality ingredients and meaningful food experiences.

A Brand Built on Family, Quality, and Innovation

What separates Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC is the combination of heritage and innovation. The company is not built around mass-produced concepts — it is rooted in generations of family recipes while introducing new dessert experiences for modern consumers.

Each product reflects Carmen's commitment to preserving the traditions passed down from Grandmother Lottie while creating opportunities for future generations.

The company currently reaches customers nationwide through major marketplace partnerships, including Goldbelly, Amazon, and Walmart Marketplace, expanding access to its family-inspired desserts across the United States.

Carmen has also achieved important business milestones, including WBENC certification, SHE Mark Certification, and Supplier Diversity Certification, positioning Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC for continued growth through corporate partnerships, retail opportunities, and wholesale expansion.

Building a Legacy for Future Generations

For Carmen, success is not simply measured by sales or recognition — it is measured by impact. As a single parent, Carmen's greatest motivation is creating a lasting legacy for her son and proving that transformation is possible at any stage of life.

Her vision extends beyond building a successful dessert company. She hopes to create a family business that continues for generations, honoring Grandmother Lottie's recipes while inspiring others to pursue their own dreams.

“My goal is to show people that it is never too late to reinvent yourself,” Carmen says. “You can step outside your comfort zone, take a chance on yourself, and create something meaningful.”

The Future of Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC

Looking ahead, Carmen plans to continue expanding the brand through new gourmet cake mix flavors, additional Cakie Bar® offerings, retail partnerships, corporate gifting opportunities, and national distribution.

Her five-year vision is to establish Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC as a nationally recognized gourmet dessert brand while continuing to preserve the family traditions that started it all.

From Grandmother Lottie's cherished recipes to a nationwide audience, Carmen Waugh is proving that the most powerful brands are often built from the stories, values, and traditions that connect generations.

About Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC

Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC creates premium gourmet dessert products inspired by three generations of family baking traditions. Through handcrafted cake mixes and the signature Cakie Bar®, the company brings bakery-quality experiences into homes nationwide while celebrating creativity, quality, and unforgettable moments. Learn more through their marketplace presence on Goldbelly and follow their journey across social media under Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC.

Founder Spotlight Presented by GCPR News — GCPR News highlights innovative founders, entrepreneurs, and brands making an impact through creativity, resilience, and purpose-driven business growth.