245. Julie McAllister on Is It Cake? and Building a Sweet Business

In this episode of How’d She Do That?, host Emily Landers welcomes cake artist and entrepreneur Julie McAllister, whose hyper‑realistic confections have captured the attention of food lovers, design enthusiasts, and Netflix viewers alike. From working in advertising to launching her namesake cake business, Julie shares how she discovered cake artistry, built her brand from scratch, and landed a spot on Is It Cake?—where she wowed judges and viewers with jaw-dropping edible illusions.

Whether you’re an aspiring creative, a baking enthusiast, or simply curious about how to turn a niche hobby into a thriving business, Julie’s story is packed with insight, humor, and inspiration.

• How Julie transitioned from marketing into cake design

• What goes into creating hyper-realistic cakes (think oysters, citrus trees, handbags!)

• Behind-the-scenes details from Is It Cake? for Netflix

• Building a brand and business from scratch

• The highs and lows of entrepreneurship in the food space

• Growing a client base and creating viral, high-impact content

• Teaching workshops, taking creative risks, and what’s next for Julie