Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Drake.
Christy, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a newlywed, I moved to a new city while he went to grad school. With a lot of extra time on my hands, I experimented with baking, cake decorating, and cookie decorating. Soon, family and friends started asking me to bake for events. While I started with a large menu, I realized I got the most joy from cookies. Baking for events has grown to include cookie decorating classes and a weekly farmer’s market.
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?
While my business has grown over the years, so have other responsibilities in my life. I bake, but I also teach full time and have two sons. I have had to learn how to find a work-work-life balance. Cookie business hours usually start after the boys go to bed, and I sleepless nights and tired mornings have taught me the limits of how many orders I can take, especially during busy holiday seasons, or semester’s end at school.
I’ve learned went to say no, how to budget my time, and how to ask for help. My husband Brian has become my baking/decorating/packaging/selling partner, which has helped our business grow (and my sanity to remain stable!)
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Baked by Drake specializes in custom decorated cookies for any occasion and celebration. I use inspiration from invitations, decoration ideas, or inspiration pictures to create cookie designs for customers’ events.
I’m most proud of having a reputation for cookies that are cute AND taste good! New customers at the farmers market will pick up a cookie because it’s cute, and will often come back the next week for more because it also tasted delicious. I love that in a small way, I am able to participate in the celebrations, large and small, in people’s lives. I have seen some customers through their engagements, weddings, baby showers, and children’s birthdays.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Flexibility and a willingness to continue learning. There are so many cute ideas in the cookie decorating realm, and I’m always looking for something new to try – be it a new design, decorating technique, or flavor.
Pricing:
- Custom cookies start at $3.50 each.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bakedbydrake.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/bakedbydrake
- Facebook: facebook.com/bakedbydrake
Image Credit:
Christy Drake
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