Celebrating our members and sharing their incredible stories for our community
About Laura
I’m Laura Stevenson, Founder and Managing Director of Cake or Dice CIC, Dundee’s alcohol-free inclusive board game café and community hub.
Before Cake or Dice, my background was in teaching and supporting young people, many of whom were neurodivergent, socially isolated, or simply felt they did not quite fit anywhere. That experience stayed with me, partly because I know what it feels like to be out of place too.
Cake or Dice started as an idea for a board game café, but it has become much more than that. It is a space where people can come together without pressure, alcohol, or judgement; where games make conversation easier; and where community is built around play, food, coffee and belonging.
Since opening in 2023, we have grown quickly, moved into larger premises, welcomed thousands of visitors, developed volunteers and duty managers, and become a safe, familiar space for LGBTQIA+ people, neurodivergent people, young people, families and anyone looking for connection.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
You do not need to wait until everything is perfect before you start. I think if I had waited until I felt completely ready, Cake or Dice would probably still just be an idea. Sometimes you have to listen to the community, trust the need is there, and build as you go.
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to lead something that grew faster than expected. Cake or Dice started as a café, but very quickly became a community space with real responsibility attached to it. That has meant learning about funding, governance, safeguarding, staffing, volunteers, partnerships and sustainability, often while still being very hands-on in the day-to-day running of the space.
What’s a skill you’re currently developing?
I’m developing my skills around leadership, funding and building a sustainable social enterprise. I’m learning how to step back from doing everything myself and create the structure that allows other people to grow into roles, while still protecting the values and atmosphere that make Cake or Dice special.
What would people be surprised to learn about your professional journey?
People are often surprised by how unplanned my career journey has been. I have a degree in Chemistry, went on to work in education supporting young people, and then ended up founding a board game café and community hub. On paper, none of those things seem connected, but each step taught me something valuable about people, learning, problem-solving and creating spaces where others can thrive. It’s a good reminder that careers don’t always need to follow a straight line to make sense.
What does “success” look like to you right now?
Success right now looks like sustainability without losing our soul. It means Cake or Dice being financially stable enough to keep going, pay people properly, support volunteers well, and continue offering a safe, inclusive space for the community. It also means seeing people find connection and confidence through the space whether that’s someone discovering a new friendship group, finding a place where they feel they belong, developing new skills as a volunteer, or simply knowing there’s somewhere they can come and be themselves.
