Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Kaster.
Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a self-taught baker with an enormous sweet tooth and a love for all things beautiful. I’m really drawn to the science and creativity of baking. And it’s always special for me to see the smiles my baking brings to people.
My first memory of baking was around middle school when I attempted a chocolate bundt cake. It wasn’t exactly a success; I remember it falling out of the cake pan in crumbs. My grandmother, Belia, was right there to laugh at my attempt and remark, “At least it tastes better than it looks!” Sadly, I lost her in early 2018 which is around the same time I was developing my baking company. I named Belia’s Bakes in honor of her.
I started baking more frequently in my post-collegiate years. At first, I simply experimented with new recipes for social gatherings. It didn’t take long before I became the de facto dessert provider at these gatherings. This is when I developed my skills and taste-tested my recipes. I then started getting special requests from friends and family for certain creations and personal celebrations. I started thinking about turning my passion into a business at the insistence of friends. At first, I brushed it off, thinking I would never want to put in those crazy baker hours. But I soon changed my mind after realizing how much I enjoyed baking, decorating, and putting smiles on faces.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been struggles along the way. I think that’s just part of starting any small business. There is a lot of learning by trial and error that requires both time and money, which, unfortunately, I have a finite amount of. There is always a learning curve when taking on a new challenge. There are also times when I’m tired of baking and it begins to feel more like a chore than a passion. Frustrations also come up when I’m having a difficult time materializing the desserts from my visions. However, no struggle is a complete loss, as I always gain valuable experience to take me to the next level.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Belia’s Bakes – what should we know?
Belia’s Bakes is a home bakery, meaning that there is not brick and mortar store. I operate out of my home kitchen. This means I can only take a limited number of orders but allows me to focus on details, customization, and customers. I use superior ingredients such as European butter, premium Madagascar vanilla, high-quality chocolates, and luxury sprinkles. The cakes are a Belia’s Bakes specialty because “a party without a cake is just a meeting” (Julia Child). Each cake is frosted with a silky and luxurious meringue buttercream and can be adorned with chocolate drips, fruits, cookies, homemade macarons, fresh florals, or any combination of items of toppings!
I also love selling my goods at Farmers’ Markets on occasion because it allows me to operate as a pop-up store where I’m able to offer a variety of treats. Favorites at these markets include my chocolate chunk cookies with a sprinkle of flakey sea salt or the “everything but the kitchen sink” brownies. There’s something irresistible about the sweet and salty combo!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe in making my own luck through hard work and persistence. It’s kind of like the old adage, “You have to circulate to percolate.” Going to lots of events and having an internet presence helps spread the word about Belia’s Bakes. Also, I believe in the power of high customer satisfaction which leads to word of mouth references.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beliasbakes.com/
- Phone: 832-808-4782
- Email: beth@beliasbakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beliasbakes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeliasBakes/
Image Credit:
Jess Dupree, Victoria Lanza
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