Graffiti Roots, Sweet Success: Don Donerunno on Art, Ayahuasca, and Betting on Himself at 41

From graffiti tags in Queens to cakes for J.Lo, Aerosmith, and the Mets, Don Donerunno’s story is anything but ordinary. In this milestone 50th episode, we sit down with The Cake Don himself—a true late bloomer who found his calling at 41 and built a thriving custom cake business from the ground up.Born and raised in Whitestone, Queens, Don Donerunno always knew he was an artist. But it wasn’t until a friend asked him to make a cake—on a whim—that his entire life trajectory changed. That first cake led to a viral Facebook post, which sparked orders, which snowballed into a full-fledged business. Fifteen years later, he's worked with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Sebastian Maniscalco, Shaquille O’Neal, the Wahlbergs, and Aerosmith—and he did it all without a formal culinary background or startup funding.This episode isn’t about frosting and fondant. It’s about art, resilience, trauma, healing, and finding your lane—no matter how long it takes to get there. At 57, Don reflects on what it means to finally feel alive doing the work he was always meant to do. He opens up about the anxiety attacks, financial risk, and personal transformation that marked the early years of his business. And he gets real about shedding ego, working with intention, and becoming the kind of man his daughters can be proud of.We dive into:How starting over at 41 unlocked a lifelong creative passionThe unexpected role of graffiti, hip hop, and Queens street culture in shaping his artistic identityWhat it really takes to build a successful small business with no safety netThe power of social media—without chasing viralityAyahuasca, ego death, and how healing work changed his leadership styleCustomer service as art, and why emotional intelligence is key to brand longevityDon also shares:Why he doesn’t chase trends—and how that’s helped him build a sustainable businessHow being authentic online has earned him lifelong customers (and surprise celebrity calls)The lessons he learned from panic attacks, financial pressure, and family responsibilitiesWhy he measures every decision by its impact on his daughtersWhat it means to be “an addition to someone’s tradition” rather than a flash-in-the-pan trendIf you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or anyone feeling like it’s “too late” to start over—this one’s for you. Don’s story proves that it’s never too late to align your work with your purpose, never too late to find your people, and never too late to build something that lasts. His energy is calm, his insights are real, and his commitment to showing up with integrity is magnetic.This episode is also a powerful reminder that your “big break” might not be loud—it might start with a single cake, a Facebook post, or a friend who sees your gift before you do.Whether you’re dreaming of launching something new or already knee-deep in the grind, Don’s wisdom hits home. It’s about craft, consistency, and choosing real connection over empty hype.Enjoying the podcast? Want to go deeper?Subscribe to I'm an Artist, Not a Salesman wherever you get your podcasts—new episodes drop weekly.Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the show.Share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that it’s never too late to create a second act.Follow the host on Instagram at @imnotasalesmanpod for behind-the-scenes content and updates on upcoming guests.Thanks for being here for our 50th episode. Here’s to 50 more—full of real stories, real people, and the art of showing up.