Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaysley Hoff.
Kaysley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started about three years ago, I was a volunteer marathon coach for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. I decided to take talent and do something for the greater good. I decided to auction cookies, a talented I had learned, and turn that into raising funds and awareness for blood cancer. I auctioned off cookies for donations to help myself and fellow runners out meet their commitment fundraising levels and I thought once the running season was over… I would stop… little did I know, a business was forming whether I wanted it or not. I decided to embrace having a cookie business with a little push from a best friend… and it turned out to be a wonderful decision. Still, to this day, I always give back to cancer research through donations from cookies… sometimes a percentage is donated and sometimes 100% of the entire amount is; as a cancer survivor myself, I am so passionate about finding cures and finding ways to raise funds to support finding cures for cancer. I have been blessed to spread my mission in hopes of helping others all with one cookie at a time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has come with its many challenges. As a single mom who also works and has a full-time career, doing cookies is something I do every evening when my children are in bed. It’s a labor of love. Some days, it’s calming and feeds my creative outlet… other days, I am running around like crazy and on 4 hours of sleep. Starting a business from the ground up and by word of mouth has been an interesting journey, I have been blessed with many opportunities to bake for big named business, sports teams and charities – orders too good to pass up, regardless of the sleepless nights.
Also, another fun fact: I have a condition where I cannot eat gluten and I am also colorblind- So, not only do I not and cannot eat my cookies… seeing the colors is always a fun challenge. I have a lot of help in that department! hahaha
The Curated Cookie – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a single mom, single baker.. working with 3 mixers, 1 me and 1 oven. I am a one-woman show. I specialize in hand-decorated sugar cookies. They’re not like your typical sugar cookie which I think where I am blessed with repeat clientele. They’re a warm, soft-baked cookie that is not crumbly or dry. As a person who is gluten-free, I do offer very comparable in taste and texture of sugar cookies. I think what I am most proud of is that this business isn’t for the faint of heart- so many people get into baking cookies with a very short-lived career because of the amount of time and work involved… it’s A LOT of work. I am proud that my business was founded on my love and passion to give back to others. I think that is something that people have always noticed and something that has separated me from the rest… also, aside from the recipe itself which I am told is unlike any other.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My cookie business was founded and started for my love of fundraising, thanks to this little side business, I have personally been able to donate thousands of dollars to cancer research and that alone was the backbone of my work and knowing I have been able to do that helps me to know I’ve made it… made not only a name for myself but made an impact in this world.
Pricing:
- Cookies start at $38 a dozen and go up in $3 increments.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecuratedcookie.com
- Phone: 713-909-0302
- Email: TheCuratedCookie@gmail.com
- Instagram: TheCuratedCookie
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecuratedcookie
Image Credit:
Ron Johnson & Janice Ratliff
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