Meticulously placing sprinkles using tweezers, Plan II sociology junior Reese Saliceti ensures every aspect of the cake meets her standards.
Saliceti spoke on Saturday at the TEDxUTAustin conference, sharing insight on how to combat perfectionism. Although she doesn’t frequently make cakes anymore, she still takes orders for special events and on breaks. She mentioned her cake business and her experience getting into UT.
“I think perfectionism can paralyze you, but I want you to keep going,” Saliceti said. “… (Don’t) let yourself get too bogged down with all the things. In this world, there’s so many things that can give you a reason to give up, and it’s easier to do that, but have the courage to try again.”
Saliceti began her cake business, Dulce Custom Cakes, at 13 after helping her grandmother make birthday cakes, inspiring her to bake for friends and family, which led to her first order.
“I’ve had the chance to make people’s wishes come true,” Saliceti said. “You’re capturing someone’s essence in a cake. That’s what makes cakes special, and that’s why I still love it.”
Saliceti began her baking Instagram account not long after her first commission. The account, where she shares her process and finished cakes, has amassed over 18K followers. Saliceti said her favorite part about making custom orders is hearing the stories behind them.
“I did a turtle cake one time … but the story still sticks with me to this day,” Saliceti said. “She (said) ‘Turtles mean so much to me because I’m a cancer survivor, and this was my spirit animal … I went scuba diving and I saw them. After that … I found out I was cancer-free.’”
For the 2025 Great Conversations dinner, the annual fundraising and award event for the Annette Strauss Institute, Mark Strama, communications and Plan II professor of practice, asked Saliceti to make cakes for award winners.
“When (award winner) Jeanne Klein first saw it, she clapped her hands with joy,” Strama said. “She thought it was such a meaningful gift … That’s how I felt, too. … There’s something about the combination of artistry and flavor that touches people.”
Crystal Puente, Plan II psychology junior, met Saliceti the summer before freshman year. Puente sent a message in a group chat asking if anyone wanted to room in Littlefield Hall, and Saliceti responded first.
“The first time (I met) her … I could feel this energy radiating from her, that she was a very kind and very genuine person,” Puente said. “Then … we started rooming together, and became incredible friends.”
Saliceti plans to attend law school, focusing on education or immigration policy. She said she hopes to increase opportunities for people to get an education.
“Cakes (were) my way of helping people for a long time, making people feel special, making people feel seen in a lot of ways,” Saliceti said. “That applies to why I want to go into law school … I want to capture someone’s essence, and if I can advocate for them, then let that be my way of serving them.”
