100 Years in the Baking

On TLC’s “Cake Boss,” Buddy Valastro, 33, is known for his hot temper and ability to create specialty cakes that move, glow, and push the limits of his craft.

However, this fourth-generation business owner was baking up a better business long before his national television debut. Carlo’s Bakery, located on Hoboken’s Washington St., has been attracting customers with a sweet tooth for more than 100 years.

Valastro is opening a factory to meet the volume of demand, as well as preparing for an additional TLC show, tentatively titled “Cake Boss College” at press time, in which hopeful bakers compete to work at the bakery. NY Report editorial assistant Lindsay Tigar sat down with Valastro.

Lindsay Tigar: What have previous generations taught you about running a family business?

Buddy Valastro: My dad taught me a lot. Running a business is more than being the baker, or counting the money, or paying the bills. It’s about personality. It’s about having a way with your staff.

I mean, my guys would follow me into hell if they had to, because we have that relationship. Sometimes on the show, you see that we yell or we scream or this-or-that, but we’re like brothers.

That’s a relationship you build, and you build it with work ethic. I’m the first one to be here, or work the hardest, or the longest hours, or go out of my way to lead by example.

LT: How do you handle having your family members as employees?

BV: When I took over, I told the family: “It’s not personal. When I make a decision, it’s  what I think is best for the bakery. Whether it’s not good for me, or not good for you, I have to do what I think is best for the business.”

There has to be one boss. There has to be an understanding that that person is the boss because they are the fairest, the most level-headed, and the best for the business.

Not to say that my sisters or my brothers-in-law or anybody here couldn’t run the business, that’s totally not the case. But there has to be one person who drops the hammer and says, “Look, we’re ripping this wall out” or “We’re changing this oven.” Without that, there are too many cooks to spoil the soup.

LT: What’s the biggest struggle of running a family business?

BV: Sometimes not everybody agrees. Sometimes my sisters fight with each other and with my brothers-in-law, or with me. The bottom line is, if you’re going to fight, then yell, scream, and get it out. But always make up at the end of the day.

Never go to bed angry, and try to understand people. I try to be the peacemaker. It’s part of why I was designated boss—because I want to see everyone get along, and I want to see everybody succeed.

LT: Do you think your children will take over the bakery once they’re old enough?

BV: If it’s their decision and they want to do it, then I will support them 100 percent. And if they don’t, I support them 100 percent.

I can honestly say I’m a lucky person, because from the age of 14 or 15, I would come here and be happy making cakes. I really idolized my dad, and I wanted to be like my dad, and had a splendid time being here with him. And at a young age, I came to know I was good at it, and because of that I’m blessed. How many people can say they go to work and love what they do?

My dad would be so proud of “Cake Boss” and of the bakery; of our family’s success. I really feel like he’s our little guardian angel watching from above and blessing us with everything we have right now.

For more of this interview, click here.