Today we’d like to introduce you to Keri Conley.
Hi Keri, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For as long as I can remember, baking has been my happy place. Baking has always been more than a hobby for me—it’s the way I show love, celebrate others, and bring joy into any room. What I didn’t realize back then was that this passion would one day grow into my own business: Krumbs by Keri.
Krumbs by Keri started the way many great stories do—small, humble, and from the heart. I began baking for family gatherings, school events, and friends who needed something special. Every time someone took a bite and smiled, I felt a spark. I loved the process, the creativity, and the connection it created with people. Eventually, people started asking, “Can I order this from you?” That’s when the idea of turning my passion into a real business started to take root.
Starting a licensed cottage bakery wasn’t easy. I had to learn the business side—permits, pricing, packaging, marketing—all while perfecting my recipes and building my own brand. But I’ve always loved the idea of owning my own business and creating something that is truly mine. Every challenge pushed me to grow. I spent countless nights baking, testing, and delivering orders, all while dreaming about what Krumbs by Keri could become.
Over time, word of mouth and social media helped my little bakery take off. My menu expanded from cookies and cupcakes to mini bundt cakes, banana and pumpkin bread, number cakes, and custom creations that let me bring my artistic side to life. I focused on quality, flavor, and presentation—because I wanted every order to feel like a personal gift. Seeing customers come back again and again, celebrating birthdays, weddings, and milestones with my desserts, showed me I was building more than a business—I was becoming part of my community.
Today, Krumbs by Keri is still built on the same foundation it started with: passion, creativity, and the joy of making something sweet that brings people together. I’m proud of how far I’ve come—from a home kitchen baker to a growing brand with goals of expanding even more. Every “crumb” of success has been worth the work.
My story is still being written, but one thing will never change: I love what I do. Owning my own bakery allows me to blend passion with purpose, and every day I get to wake up and create something beautiful and delicious. That’s the heart of Krumbs by Keri—and it all started with a girl who loved to bake.
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?
One of the hardest parts of running Krumbs by Keri was juggling everything at once—being a mom, working another job, and baking late at night to fulfill orders. There were times I was up at 2 AM decorating cakes and back up at 6 AM getting kids ready for school. Finding balance didn’t come easy, and there were moments I wondered if I could do it all. Another challenge has been, learning the Business Side (Not Just the Baking)
I knew how to bake, but running a business was a completely different world. Pricing, bookkeeping, licensing, taxes, marketing—none of that came naturally at first. I had to teach myself everything from scratch and made mistakes along the way. It wasn’t just about making delicious treats…it was about making smart decisions.
Not everyone understood my vision at first. Some people thought baking was just a “cute hobby.” Proving that this was a real, legitimate business—and believing in it even when others didn’t—was a huge emotional challenge. But every happy customer and repeat order reminded me I was on the right path.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My claim to fame are my cookies and my number and letter cakes! I am known for my cookies because they are soft-baked, thick, and indulgent.
Every cookie has that bakery-style look. My flavors are creative and always changing and evolving. After countless attempts to find the perfect cookie, I have nailed the texture—soft and chewy with melt-in-your-mouth goodness. People say, “Once you taste one of her cookies, no other cookie compares.” It all started with my friend wanting me to bake for her PTO meeting at school. After that, I was asked to sponsor the school and donate cookies to teachers and other events. My favorite part is donating my treats to schools, businesses, and churches. I feel so good, knowing I can help and also do what I love.
Building everything from scratch—on my own, has been so rewarding. I learned licensing, pricing, marketing, packaging, branding, customer service. I have built a reputation. People know Krumbs by Keri means delicious, trustworthy, and beautiful.
What makes you happy?
Baking makes me happy because I get to take simple ingredients and turn them into something beautiful and delicious. It’s calming, creative, and deeply satisfying. There is something magical about mixing, rolling, baking, decorating… it’s my therapy and my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kerikrumbs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krumbsbykeri
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krumbsbykeri
Image Credits
Some of the photos were taken by Nicole Warren at Wish Marketing Services for Small Business.
