At just 19 years old, Marietta College’s Bre Herrick ’26 (New Martinsville, West Virginia) is an entrepreneur with a big heart and even bigger dreams.
When she’s not studying Special Education or cheering on the sidelines, Bre runs a successful cake and cupcake business, Bre’s Cupcakin’ Around, from her hometown. And her incredible confections have already raised over $40,000 for local causes.
Now she’s competing in The Greatest Baker, presented by Buddy Valastro, who is better known as the Cake Boss. The winner will take home the $10,000 grand prize and share their work in Bake from Scratch magazine. Voting continues through December 7.
“Someone recommended to me that I sign up for the competition on social media,” she said. “I did and I got through to the next round, and I had to share more about my business. Now I am looking for people to vote for me online so I can get through another round of the competition.”
Bre first discovered her talent at 12, when she started baking cupcakes for a fundraiser. “I wasn’t good at baking cupcakes at the beginning,” she admits. “I’m pretty much self-taught.”
But over the next seven years, Bre challenged herself to master new techniques and decorated over 100 cakes. “Ever since, people have asked me to create cakes for their special events.”
Along the way, she has developed a signature style. “I love making mega cakes,” Bre said. “They are a step above regular cakes because of the fillings and toppings. Everyone loves the peanut butter chocolate mega cake.” She’s also known for her pink lemonade mega cake, which is a strawberry cake filled with lemon curd and topped with lemon buttercream, fresh strawberries, and lemons.
When she's home from college, Bre stays busy baking custom creations. She recently helped the New Martinsville Police Department raise $3,000 for charity by making specialty cakes they could raffle off.
“It was for the Shop with a Cop program,” said Bre, who is in the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. “I worked with six police officers who decorated their own cakes.”
Tim Cecil, New Martinsville’s Chief of Police, said he has watched Bre grow up and he is extremely proud of her passion for helping others in the community.
“This is the second time she has helped us raise money for the Shop with a Cop program,” Cecil said. “She has done so much for the people of New Martinsville. She is always willing to help.”
Bre plans to be a high school special education teacher after she graduates, but she also hopes to have a food truck so she can continue her business.
“I want to share the experience with my students so they can learn some important job skills,” she said.