I thought it was just an actress and a made up story! Who delivers cake on a bus or subway??! It should be pickups only if you have NO CAR. And how many people do you know who have friends who buy them a car? Nobody because it doesn't happen.
I didn't believe it at all and I still don't. It's all marketing and the lady is an actress, I'm sure of it. Am I getting cynical in my old age?....duh. 
I think y'all are mean. I was so happy for her I got teary-eyed.
When my husband saw this commercial, and they said she started her own cake business in her small apartment he immediately said "which is illegal" I had to laugh and say to myself maybe he does listen sometimes when all I do is talk cake.
Too funny. My hubby and son are learning as well. I watched Cupcake Wars last night (recorded from earlier in the week). They were going through introducing the contestants, the one who stated that they don't have a store front but was taking all her supplies from her home cabinets. My husband stated, well it doesn't look like she is using a commercial kitchen and baking from home is illegal in California. I had to laugh at that one. He did listen to all my talks about posts on CC and licensing, etc. Another time was with my 14 year old son. I received an cake request for 50 people, but the person only wanted to spend $50. I was telling this to my husband and my son pipes in...well that is only $1 per serving, these cakes are worth much more than that. I have taught him well. 
This commercial irks me on so many levels - if I was trying to start a business I would save my money and be happy with a reliable USED car and use the extra money on my business. This coming from someone with NO CAR and who has to borrow a car to get to the grocery store or the doctor or to deliver treats to friends, etc. (hobby baker).
But I wanted to share that I had the same thoughts on the legal issues. There are lots of "cakers" speaking up on the message boards and comments sections about how these illegal businesses hurt the legal ones and make people think anyone can do it. Even on the the Toyota Facebook page for this story itself, so whether she is in CA or FL or any other state with a "Hollywood" I imagine we won't be seeing this commercial too much in the future.
Not to mention that Toyota is now dealing with the confused masses that think this is part of a contest and they are giving away new cars if you share your story.
I thought the commercial was sweet but I was confused about the apartment business thing too. It also didnt make any sense to me for her to be delivering cakes in a little car like that. But I guess if shes used to delivering them on a subway or taxi then the tiny car would seem like heaven.
Our electric co-op sends out a monthly newsletter. One section of it is always dedicated to one local business that of course gets their power from our co-op. Several months ago they featured a cake decorator. She was ancient and had been running her home based cake biz for decades. Where she is it isnt legal for her to do that but somehow she has managed to make it work for longer then I have been alive. The article mentioned that she used to take a picture of each wedding cake and a napkin from the ceremony to save but shes done them for so long she stopped doing that many years ago. She had too many photo albums full of her wedding cake pictures to even count.
When I saw the article I was admittedly a little annoyed at first that shes been getting away with it for so long. But also worried that now that the article was out and people knew about her she might get caught. I dont want to see an 80 something year old woman who has been doing this for over 50 years get into a bunch of trouble. Its a really small town though so I doubt anyone outside of it cares. Honestly I could see the people of that town throwing a huge fit if someone did try to go after her. From what I gather shes THE cake decorator around there. Everyone uses her.
Yeah, Erica isn't going to be so grateful when the CA Health Dept comes knocking and shuts her down. 
I can't stand the commercial either.
Just tonight I was talking with my mom and a friend of hers. My mom wanted me to show her friend pics of cakes and my newest attempt at cookies. I try to stay away from this topic of discussion actually because it always leads to "You should start a business!" Then I have to explain how my state won't allow me to and then they say well that's just a ridiculous law and then I have to try and take the high road without making them sound bad. Yada yada yada.
This convo went along the same path, me starting to explain how it's illegal for me to sell cakes and cookies from my home and my mom pops in "But that gal from the Toyota commercial did it!"
*sigh* I shake my head at you Erica.
i own 2 pugs...they are so cute, but oh boy do they ever shed ALOT...i own a storefront shop, i keep clothes there to change into "just in case"...i dress for work and head out instantly, getting my clothes directly from the dryer.
i can not imagine making a cake at my house to sell...i'm just saying.
plus i guess she was too good to get a used car huh?
did ya'll see her on her bike delivering cupcakes with no box?
are ya'll sure this is even for real?
I am sorry, but that commercial grossed me out. Delivering a cake on a subway, do you know how dirty and how many sick people go on those things? I would be grossed out if I found out that my cake lady took the cake I was buying on a subway. Sorry but that brings safety health problems into play.
My husband was so funny he pointed out the dog and the people standing all around the cake on the subway, and said that is not food health safety at all call the health inspector in...lol
WOW - If the story is true, can't we just be happy for Erica? I really thought it was just a commercial also, and not reality.
If the story is true we should all be afraid for her, not happy, because whenever the HD sees this kind of thing they do investigate it and shut you down. There have been many stories in the media about home businesses that lead to HD investigations. I can think of three right off the top of my head where people got shut down the day after the story of their business appeared in the paper.
Well, at least when they show her working with cakes, she has her hair up! I saw Cupcake Wars and noticed how several women with long hair were baking without pulling their hair up! That is a definite No-No! Who wants the cake with the hair that fell into it?
Oh Leah, had the same thought. But she totally stole my idea of delivering round cakes in a hat box. I love doing this. Especially when it is a hat cake. lol
Parable wrote this on the 1st page of this thread. Maybe she could tell us how she does it.
I liked the commercial, I just thought it was nice that her friends wanted to buy her a car to help her out. It never occured to me to think about her being illegal with her business, or that the car would be too small to deliver cakes. I just saw a gal that wanted to bake and decorate cakes, had no vehicle to use to deliver her cakes, but had some very nice friends that wanted to do something for her. I get teary eyed when I watch it.
I liked the commercial, I just thought it was nice that her friends wanted to buy her a car to help her out. It never occured to me to think about her being illegal with her business, or that the car would be too small to deliver cakes. I just saw a gal that wanted to bake and decorate cakes, had no vehicle to use to deliver her cakes, but had some very nice friends that wanted to do something for her. I get teary eyed when I watch it.
I am so glad someone else thought this was a nice thing for her friends to do!
About the type of car, I had a 2006 Toyota Matrix - which was perfect for delivering cakes - back seat folded down flat and it had these build-in sliding lock downs that were great for anchoring against the boxes or cake board. Unfortunately, they have redesigned the interior. I know have a Toyota Rav4 which I love - but isn't the greatest for delivering cakes. I wouldn't even consider a sedan. Car salesman laugh at me and when I want to check out the interior for which would be best for delivering cakes.
About the commercial, they make it sound like anyone can start a home based business and make enough to support themselves. Hmmm - how realistic is that?
I do not understand how ANYONE got the idea it was a REAL story. Maybe it is maybe it is not, I never thought it was. I just looked @ her cakes and I thought "look @ Toyota trying to look good after all the trouble they have been having" not "oh look, where does she live, that is illegal, she cant do that".
I understand that a LOT of you on CC are in the buz,but get a grip, Erica is not out to get you, she is not trying to take your Legal biz from you.
IT IS A COMMERCIAL!
Wow! I cannot believe what I've just read here. Meanspirited comments galore. Holy smokes ladies, why not dig the claws in a little deeper?
Give this young lady a break for goodness sake. When did you all become judge and jury of her lifestyle & work? What do you even know, about her lifesyle & work?
I don't understand how some of you can trash her so much just from watching a car commercial.
If the story is true, could you not be the least bit happy for her?
I may be in the minority but I sure am.
I don't think most of the comments are meanspirited. They're not all baskets of kittens and lollipops and sunshine, but they're not that harsh.
Wow! I cannot believe what I've just read here. Meanspirited comments galore. Holy smokes ladies, why not dig the claws in a little deeper?
Give this young lady a break for goodness sake. When did you all become judge and jury of her lifestyle & work? What do you even know, about her lifesyle & work?
I don't understand how some of you can trash her so much just from watching a car commercial.
If the story is true, could you not be the least bit happy for her?
I may be in the minority but I sure am.
When I work all day with managers watching my every move to make sure my hair is tied back, my gloves are on, my hairnet is on, my apron is clean, I'm washing my hands whenever I leave the kitchen, I don't touch sprinkles or pics with dirty gloves, I use the right soap in the three compartment sink, I check the pH levels in the saniwater, (I could go on but I'll stop here), I can't help but notice when people are doing things that are considered unsanitary.
It's like it's programmed into me. Maybe I should be an inspector. . .
http://www.thecocohouse.com/about.htm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Hollywood-CA/The-Chocolate-House/299882687718
thats her website. She's in North Hollywood.
Maybe I'm hormonal, but just watched the ad on youtube, and had a tear in my eye!
She seems like a very happy, sweet person. She also shares a common bond with us all...a passion and love for cakes.I wish her well.
I also wish Erica well, I hope her business continues to flourish and I wish to get just as lucky and somehow achieve recognition for my business and just as much chatter that has been seen on this board about one simple commercial and catalpult me into successs too! Congratulations, Erica 
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