Finding purpose through baking
Valdez has been baking for more than 12 years. Growing up in a large Dominican family, food and celebrations were always an important part of life which influenced her decision to establish Sweet Party Cakes.
“I’ve always enjoyed baking and cooking,” she said. “We always had many get-togethers, and we enjoyed sharing dishes and cooking together.”
As an art major, she discovered a way to combine creativity with baking. But her life took an unexpected turn in 2014 when she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease.
“For me, it started with my lungs,” she said. “It was really hard for me to breathe, to even walk.”
Rather than focusing on her illness, she decided to pursue something that brought her joy.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
“After I became sick, I decided to do something that I enjoy, something that would bring me back to who I was,” she said.
Today, she has been in remission for about six years. While lupus still presents challenges, owning her own business gives her flexibility to balance her health and work.
Growing through community support
Before opening her Woodbury storefront last October, Valdez operated from her home kitchen. She built her customer base through farmers markets and the former Middletown Emporium.
“When I first came here, I started there, and then I built a lot of clients from Middletown and the surrounding areas,” she said.
Word-of-mouth recommendations played a major role in her growth.
“People telling other people where they got their desserts from—that helped me build more clients and feel more confident in opening this location.”
Many customers now return year after year for birthdays, baby showers, graduations, and other milestones.
An art cake studio
Valdez describes Sweet Party Cakes as more than a bakery.
“I’m not only a baker,” she said. “You can get a baked cake anywhere, but this is more of an art cake studio because I combine cake and art together.”
Every custom cake begins with a conversation. She listens to clients’ ideas, colors, themes, and styles before developing a design.
“There are some clients that just tell me the theme and let me freestyle,” she said. “Then there are others who are very specific. I always like to give my own personal touch.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of her work is watching families grow over the years.
“I’ve done their mother’s baby shower, then the child’s first birthday, and continued celebrating with them,” she said. “To see the joy in a child’s face, it’s like I’ve done my job.”
Creating connections
Beyond cakes, Sweet Party Cakes hosts decorating workshops, children’s classes, and cake-and-sip events.
Valdez’s background in early childhood education inspired her to create hands-on experiences that encourage creativity and confidence.
“I really enjoy working with children,” she said. “I enjoy seeing them create.”
She enjoys watching participants start with the same materials and end with completely different creations.
“Sometimes they become frustrated because their idea is not coming together, but once everything is done, they’re so happy,” she said.
The events also help build relationships within the community.
“Most of them don’t know each other when they come here, and by the end they are already chatting and getting to know each other,” she said.
An open door for the community
Valdez sees her business as a gathering place as much as a bakery. She often supports charitable causes, collaborates with local organizations, and welcomes fellow entrepreneurs to use her space.
“If anyone in the community ever needs a space—whether to host an event or connect with people—they’re more than welcome to use this space,” she said.
Her philosophy is reflected in a favorite saying: “One hand washes another.”
“We need each other,” she said. “We’re part of a community. Someone knows one skill, someone else knows a different skill. They come together, they work together, and they learn.”
Through Sweet Party Cakes, Valdez continues to blend art, baking, and community spirit, creating not only memorable desserts but meaningful connections throughout the Hudson Valley.
This is a paid promotion.
