Today we’d like to introduce you to Gioella Sarli.
Hi Gioella, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Gioella Sarli — Lou’s daughter and one of the proud owners of Ronnie’s Bakery.
The bakery has been part of my life since I was just a baby. My mom bought it when I was only a few months old, and I grew up surrounded by the sweet smells of cakes baking and the sound of joy that came with every celebration she helped create. Watching her work her magic inspired me from the very beginning.
As a little girl, I would beg my mom to take me to cake conventions — those were some of the best days of my life. I was completely mesmerized by the artistry, creativity, and passion of the baking world. I dreamed even then about having a bakery of my own one day.
After high school, that dream never wavered. I went on to earn my degree in Pastry Arts from Escoffier Culinary School, and now I get to do what I love every single day — create beautiful, delicious treats that bring joy to others.
Baking has always been more than just a skill for me — it’s a lifelong passion and a deeply personal part of who I am. I feel incredibly lucky to share this journey with my family, and even more honored to share our creations with you and the rest of the community.
Hello! I’m Lourdes Bentancor, owner of Ronnie’s Bakery and Cakes by Lou
I came to Hilton Head, South Carolina in 2000 from Uruguay and began working at a local bakery. I fell in love with baking, especially cake decorating.
Before I knew it, I bought Ronnie’s Bakery on the island in 2002 and soon opened a second store. I needed help so my parents came to my rescue and we all pitched in. Ronnie’s Bakery is now located in Bluffton, South Carolina.
I knew my future was in specialty cake decorating, so I started taking classes in Chicago at the Wilton School. Within a short period of time I was taking Master Courses in cake decorating and now go every year to all sorts of bakery and cake decorating conventions all over the United States.
I love to create someone’s special occasion cake. My customers come in with their idea and I immediately start visualizing the decoration in my mind.
I especially love to make wedding cakes. It is an important day for that couple and their guests and I know lots of people get to see and eat my creation.
I love the challenge of doing something different and I love to see the expressions on my customers faces when they come to my store to pick up the cake.
I hope you enjoy looking at some of my products in the rest of my website pages. I have too many to show you here. So come to my store or email me when that special occasion occurs and we’ll work together on your idea.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most family-owned businesses, our journey hasn’t always been a smooth road. Building and sustaining a bakery takes long hours, physical work, and constant creativity, especially in an industry that never slows down. Balancing growth, changing trends, and the everyday demands of running a business has had its challenges over the years.
That said, any obstacle feels lighter when you’re facing it as a family. Working alongside my mom and grandparents taught me resilience, teamwork, and the importance of trusting one another. We’ve learned, grown, and adapted together.
We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have the support of the Bluffton and Hilton Head communities. Our customers aren’t just customers — they’re part of our story. Their loyalty, encouragement, and excitement for what we create make every challenge worth it.
Every challenge has shaped who we are today, and we truly believe that the love, support, and relationships built along the way are what make Ronnie’s Bakery so special.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Ronnie’s Bakery, we specialize in custom cakes and desserts for all kinds of celebrations — from birthdays and showers to weddings and life’s biggest milestones. Along with our custom work, we also offer a full selection of daily pastries, desserts, and coffee for walk-in customers, making us a place people can stop by and enjoy something special any day of the week.
We’re especially known for our custom cakes. Each one begins with a conversation, where we listen closely to our customers’ ideas and turn their vision into a one-of-a-kind creation. At the same time, our daily baked goods carry that same level of care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
What I’m most proud of is the family legacy behind everything we do. Ronnie’s Bakery was built on passion, hard work, and creativity, and that foundation continues through everything we make today. Baking isn’t just our business — it’s part of who we are.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was very creative, curious, and always full of imagination. But more than anything, I wanted to be just like my mom — she was and still is my role model. From as early as I can remember, I knew I wanted a life similar to hers and to be part of a bakery.
I spent a lot of my childhood around cakes, decorating tools, and the bakery itself. I loved watching my mom work, learning from her, and seeing the joy she brought to people through her creations. I was naturally drawn to baking, cake decorating, and anything artistic, and that passion never really changed as I got older.
I think growing up in that environment shaped who I am today — hardworking, detail-oriented, and deeply connected to my family. Baking has always felt like home to me, and even as a child, I knew it wasn’t just something I liked — it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.ronniesbakeryandcakesbylou.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniesbakeryandcakesbylou?igsh=emRzbDlsa2YxaGp6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EJebhcrft/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
