Imagine what you’ll see after decorating cakes for 41 years – new generations of customers, changing tastes, new ideas and a complete evolution of inspiration. These are just some of the things that Dorothy Coleman, owner of Mickey’s Special Affairs in Little Rock, AR, has seen over the span of four decades in the biz.

After so many years in the cake business, Coleman now sees a new generation of clients. One client, whose wedding cake Coleman decorated, has had her do every one of her daughter’s 10 birthday cakes. When she was nine years old, the girl asked Coleman to teach her how to decorate cakes. Coleman mentored her new pupil for two months. The result: a full sheet birthday cake for her mom, Coleman’s original client.