Vancouver bakery calls out NBA legend over cake request
A Vancouver bakery owner publicly criticized a representative of former NBA star Metta World Peace for requesting a free cake in exchange for social media exposure. The owner highlighted the disparity between the celebrity's wealth and the request for free labor from a small business.
Why it matters
It reflects ongoing tensions between small business owners and influencers/celebrities regarding the value of 'exposure' versus monetary payment.
A Vancouver bakery is calling out a former NBA star after receiving a not-so-sweet request.
Oh Sweet Day Bake Shop opened at the intersection of Commercial Drive and East 1st Avenue in 2019 after owner Fanny Lam built a following at farmers' markets. In 2025, a second Oh Sweet Day opened in Port Moody.
As a small food business, Lam says they often get requests for free products and collaborations for exposure, including from charities, corporations and influencers.
"We're certainly not against collaborations or giving back. We regularly try to contribute to our community when we feel the cause or partnership is a good fit. However, there is an important distinction between a genuine collaboration and simply asking a small business to give something away," she tells Vancouver Is Awesome by email.
Recently, she got an email that seemed to fit in the latter category.
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