An on-demand bakery and caterer - Baked and Brunched
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nakia Cheeks, founder of Baked and Brunched, located in Upper Marlboro, MD.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Baked and Brunched! We are an on-demand bakery and caterer. Our menu includes a variety of Dairy, Dairy-free and Vegan goodies made from Organic ingredients. Some of our menu favorites are Peach Champagne Honey Buns, Dairy-free Honey Wheat Bread, Vegan and Dairy Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Bourbon Cream Cheese Buttercream, Vegan Rum Raisin Mini Cakes, Vegan Sweet Potato Shortbread, Mini Zucchini Bread Loaves, Lavender Brownies, White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Macadamia Nuts, Sweet Potato Scones, and Spicy Seafood Salad, and Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites. We also specialize in tea party experiences!
Tell us about yourself
I initially used baking as an outlet and enrolled into culinary school. After using some friends and family members as guinea pigs, I registered for and attended my first pop-up shop. After receiving wonderful feedback, my hobby turned into my business! One of my favorite things is seeing the smile on my clients’ faces and receiving sincere feedback! Those moments push me on the days when I’m exhausted!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a student at Anne Arundel Community College, I was able to compete in their Small Business Pitch Competition and win awards two years in a row. It was amazing to win those monetary awards and be able to move my business in the direction that it needed to go!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are so many hard things about being a business owner!! I would say that I have two top ones. My first would be balancing my business, my daytime job and my personal/home life. When I have a large order, a pop-up shop or other event coming up, I often lock-in and that becomes my primary focus - pushing my personal life/home life to the side. This is something that I know I have to work on! The second hardest thing is effectively and efficiently managing my time since I’m a one-woman shop. I have to prioritize how I need to devote my time and there often are not enough hours in a day to get it all done!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I vividly remember telling my cousin (a successful entrepreneur) about my business and without hesitation or thought, she blurted out JUST DO IT!!! That has definitely resonated with me and given me the courage to take a few risks in my business.
My first tip would be to tell any future entrepreneurs to just do it! You can plan, plan and re-plan and those plans may never come to fruition. Just take that first step and adjust your plans as you go along.
My second tip would be to never be afraid to ask for help (I’m working on this one!). There are just enough hours in a day and you have to know when it makes sense to ask for help. That help may be just what you need to take your business to the next level.
Lastly, I would say to network! You never know who could be a potential client/customer.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/bakedbrunched/
https://www.facebook.com/bakedandbrunched/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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