Laura’s Little Bakery
Laura O’Conner is a subversive marketing genius, she is written about, talked about, tweeted about and only this morning was on Radio Merseyside. However, this isn’t why she’s a genius, yes she has taken her business from small home baking to a city centre location, been employed by the likes of Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish (as a confirmed blue I’m not sure that’s a good thing) and even snuck herself onto the telly with DIY SOS. She’s a genius because she made me buy and even like cupcakes.
Now before anyone gets over excited, I’m not about to fall to my knees and repent my cupcake hating ways. Generally I still think they’re a bit boring, style over substance, and not that nice, I also feel there is currently a race to bottom. An attempt to make cheap quick cakes that appeal to customer solely because of their price, that compromise on quality and ingredients at every turn. A blatant attempt to maximise profits at all costs, resulting in garish, sickly sweet and over the top creations.
Here lies Laura’s best marketing tool, she cares about the cakes she produces, quality is more important than costs. I’m certain she could produce her cakes for less, but to do so would compromise the quality and ultimately her reputation. I’m a firm believer in good quality food will out, if your making really great food at a sensible price people will buy it. the success of places like Delifonseca or Lunya are a testament to this.
As for my dislike of cupcakes, it has only really been abated by Laura’s creations, however next time I visit I’m more likely to choose a big slice of cheese cake or carrot cake, both of which are superb. I’m still not cupcakes biggest fan.
So is Laura a marketing genius? She does use twitter well and often, but really I would say no, she isn’t. She is a great baker who cares about what she sells. Quality is the key to her success, if only some other bakers/cafes/restaurants in the city could learn that lesson.
Laura’s Little Bakery is situated in The Home Quarter on Hanover Street.
