Today we’d like to introduce you to Inina Thompson.
Hi Inina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hook’d Bakery started at home with a batch of chocolate chip cookies baked for a social gathering. I wasn’t trying to start a business-I just wanted to bring something good. But people kept coming back for seconds, then asking when I would make my next batch. That’s when I realized this could be something bigger.
In March 2025, I took a leap of faith and launched Hook’d Bakery as a home-based bakery, focusing on cookies that taste like home — the kind of desserts you remember growing up or something your grandma would’ve made from scratch. Comforting, familiar, and made with intention, but still bold enough to stand out.
Since then, Hook’d Bakery has grown through word of mouth, pop-ups, collaborations, and strong community support here in Houston. Today, I’m continuing to build Hook’d Bakery one batch at a time, staying focused on quality, consistency, and creating cookies that keep people coming back — truly hook’d from the first bite.
Alright, 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?
Ha! Absolutely not. It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. One of the biggest struggles has been navigating uncertainty while building something from the ground up – managing time, finances, and growth without a clear roadmap, and often having to make decisions before everything felt “ready.”
Another major challenge has been navigating cottage food laws and understanding what I could and couldn’t do as a home-based bakery. I’m incredibly thankful for the recent changes that expanded those laws and opened the door for me to create and offer more products. That shift made a significant difference and enabled the business to grow in ways that were previously impossible.
There’s also been the challenge of holding the big picture while staying disciplined enough to build small. I can see where Hook’d Bakery can go long-term, but growth still happens one step, one batch, and one decision at a time. Learning to stay focused on what’s in front of me, while trusting the larger vision, has been essential.
All of it has required discernment, patience, and faith, and every challenge has helped shape Hook’d Bakery into a stronger, more intentional business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hook’d Bakery is a home-based bakery built on flavor, consistency, and intention. We create desserts that feel familiar in the best way — the kind you don’t need explained because they taste like something you already love. From classic favorites to seasonal offerings, everything we make is designed to be comforting, satisfying, and worth coming back for.
What sets Hook’d apart is the response we hear over and over again: “I don’t usually like sweets or desserts, but this tastes amazing!” That tells me we’re doing something right. Our focus is on balance – desserts that aren’t overly sweet, feel homemade, and are meant to be enjoyed, not just sampled.
I’m most proud of the trust the brand has earned. Hook’d has grown through repeat customers, referrals, and genuine community support, not hype. People come back because they know the quality is consistent and the experience feels personal.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about building partnerships with local coffee shops, cafés, and community spaces where Hook’d desserts can be part of people’s everyday routines, not just special occasions. The goal is to grow thoughtfully, stay rooted in quality, and keep creating desserts that feel familiar, dependable, and memorable.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really think in terms of luck. Instead, I believe God has played a central role in both my life and my business. What some might call good or bad luck, I’ve experienced as moments of guidance, redirection, and timing – doors opening when I was ready and others closing for reasons that became clear later.
Those moments have shaped how I build and grow Hook’d. They’ve taught me patience, trust, and the importance of staying aligned with the bigger picture, even when the path isn’t obvious.
So rather than luck influencing my journey, it’s been faith and trust in God’s leading that have guided each step.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hookdbakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookdbakeryhtx/
Image Credits
The.Heart.Haus
