Kokomo Baker Expands Love, Ky Cakes Business
Following a surge in online attention, a local baker is growing her cake business through new retail partnerships.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Desserts
Live Poll
Do you prioritize buying treats from independent local bakeries instead of larger retailers?
Kylee Kurtz is expanding her Kokomo-based bakery business, Love, Ky Cakes, after her signature chocolate cake gained significant online traction. The expansion follows a career shift for the former accountant who turned to baking after losing her job earlier this year.
Why it matters
The rapid growth of Love, Ky Cakes highlights how social media exposure can quickly transform a small home-based venture into a growing local enterprise. Success for such businesses often depends on maintaining quality while scaling operations through local retail outlets.
The signature 6-inch two-layer chocolate cake features light whipped frosting and serves between 2 and 4 people. The products are currently available online and at Marty's Place Market & Kitchen in Kokomo.
The players
Kylee Kurtz
She is the founder of Love, Ky Cakes who transitioned to professional baking after an eight-year career in accounting.
Tommy
He is a food influencer whose online feature in August 2026 significantly increased the bakery's visibility.
Love, Ky Cakes
This is a Kokomo-based bakery business that specializes in a signature two-layer chocolate cake using a family recipe.
Marty's Place Market & Kitchen
This retail establishment serves as a partner location for selling Love, Ky Cakes products in the Kokomo area.
The details
After losing her accounting job in April 2026, Kurtz utilized a family recipe to establish her bakery, which gained viral attention after an online feature by influencer Tommy in August 2026. The business now maintains a strong reputation, backed by 76 five-star Google reviews.
Timeline
April 2026: Kylee Kurtz lost her accounting job.
August 2026: The bakery gained online attention after a feature by influencer Tommy.
October 24, 2026: Pop-up cake giveaway event held in Carmel.
2027: Planned expansion of retail partnerships across Central Indiana.
Culture Shift
The transition from an eight-year accounting career to bakery owner aligns with the rise of side-hustle economies following corporate layoffs. This shift reflects a broader trend of individuals leveraging personal recipes and social media to bypass traditional career paths.
Residents can purchase the bakery's signature cakes locally at Marty's Place Market & Kitchen in Kokomo. Additionally, local customers can look forward to future retail availability as the business expands its footprint across Central Indiana throughout 2027.
The takeaway
Turning a family recipe into a business requires balancing online marketing with consistent product quality. Aspiring entrepreneurs should focus on building a strong local reputation before attempting to scale their operations into new retail markets.
Further reading
Learn more about the local food scene in our Desserts section.
More information
To view the menu or place an order, visit the Bakery website for orders.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic.
Live Poll
Do you prioritize buying treats from independent local bakeries instead of larger retailers?
