The CNBC special “The Oprah Effect” features We Take The Cake, a Ft. Lauderdale Florida boutique bakery. CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla investigates how to get on Oprah’s show, plus the impact that has on any business featured by the diva. Quintanilla also explores how the Oprah Effect transforms almost any brand into a big business.
We Take The Cake’s Gourmet Key Lime bundt cake was selected as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” back in 2004. Lori Karmel, owner of We Take The Cake says that people all over the USA are fascinated by The Oprah Effect. An obviously happy Karmel says “Nobody can put a company on the map the way Oprah Winfrey can.”
Here is the history of what happened to this business. Lori Karmel bought We Take The Cake, a small cake business, in 2002. She had previously bought a birthday cake for her son from there. In the poor business climate after 9/11, the business struggled. It didn’t make a profit until June 2004. Then The Oprah Winfrey Show came calling. They said Oprah was considering their gourmet Key Lime Bundt Cake with key lime cream cheese frosting as one of her Favorite Things.
After many cuts (pun intended) the cake made it onto the show, Karmel was over the moon. “It was like winning the lottery,” she said. At that time, Karmel didn’t know what was in store for her, but she soon found out.
When the “Oprah’s Favorite Things Show” aired, the impact was immediate. Within hours the bakery’s website was overwhelmed.
It has now been five years since the show ran, and We Take The Cake is still thriving. The attention given to the bakery’ by Oprah was noticed by other producers and editors. The gourmet cakes were featured on The Food Network’s “Challenge,” “Unwrapped” and “Road Tasted” shows.
Then, in December 2008, In Style Magazine selected We Take The Cake‘s Prize-Winning Chocolate Layer Cake as one of “the best mail order cakes.” Now Karmel says their beautifully decorated cupcakes can be shipped nationally.
We Take The Cakes’ gourmet items are available on-line at www.wetakethecake.com, also in Florida Whole Foods Markets, at NeimanMarcus.com, NormThompson.com and Field of Flowers stores.
We Take The Cake
1021 N. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33304
888-901-2253
