SE Portland moms launch baking business at height of economic downturn

Seven months ago, as banks were failing, companies were committing massive layoffs, consumers were pinching every penny possible and the U.S. economy seemed to be swirling around a giant drain, two Portland women decided it would be a great time to launch a new baking business.

Call it courage or folly, but busy moms Joi (pronounced “Joey)” Smith and Amanda Hill decided the time was right to start up Robots Love Cupcakes, a Portland home-based business in Lents that caters to a fairly recession-proof niche: the sweet tooth.

Seven months later, Smith and Hill aren’t about to retire to the tropics but word is getting out about their tasty confections. They also say the business is supporting itself at this time but they aren’t drawing big paychecks just yet.

A recent public free taste testing session in southeast Portland attracted dozens of local residents, most with small kids in tow, who traded filling out simple survey cards for a sample of pies, candy and cookies cooked up by the pair and a small army of assistants.

Suffice to say the reviews were on the sweet side.

Attendees nibbled and munched their way through apple, chocolate, pumpkin and pecan pie slices, soft frosted cookies, chocolate-covered toffee chunks and home-made marshmallows with an eye-rolling zip of cayenne peppers mixed in.

• See photos from the tasting party

This being Portland, there also some vegan and gluten-free options on hand as well. Hill and Smith said vegan and other alternative diet requirement requests are their specialty.

Oddly, there were no cupcakes in sight, but Hill said that cupcakes were not the focus of the business. She said baking a variety of treats for kids and moms was more their goal.

However, she did say that a repeat of the tasting event in the spring would feature a selection of cupcakes.

Non-dessert items are not planned, according to Smith. “We want to be part of your celebration,” she said. Hill agreed, saying she has always been attracted to treats. The focus will stay on sweets for now.

Kids in attendance at the free tasting were on sugar-highs so severe it bordered on apoplexy. As they raced around the room, many parents gave chase and grabbed another cookie during the pursuit, survey cards in hand.

Scoring a favorite was a challenge for most in attendance, but Joi said their custom cakes are popular and the spicy Aztec marshmallows were a customer favorite for certain.

Smith said she launched the business after repeated encouragement from friends for whom she had whipped up small batches of treats.

The business name is just whimsy, but Smith said she likes the juxtaposition of metallic machines with a soft spot for sweets.

You can find Robots Love Cupcakes online here. Contact the company, check their menu and place orders here.