Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heidi Scheurmann, Founder of Get Baked Bakery, located in Haltom City, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

You'll trip on deliciousness! Get Baked is a home-based bakery operating under Texas Cottage Law. I specialize in custom wedding and event cakes, cupcakes, cookies - both decorated and drop, pies, and many other specialty desserts and bread. I create spectacular-looking desserts that taste even better. My attention to detail and caring nature show how much pride I take in my work. I give 100% when it comes to my work because, with every order, I am putting my reputation on the line. Get Baked is my livelihood, and my customers deserve the best. Whether you need a small cake for an upcoming birthday, a wedding cake for 300 guests, or individual cookies and desserts for your company's holiday event, Get Baked Bakery has got you covered! No matter what your budget is, let me create something fabulous that your friends and family will be talking about for months!

Tell us about yourself

Food is a form of communication that influences fond memories of family and friends. My grandmother sparked my passion for baking. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and spent much of that time in the kitchen with her. I went to culinary school, got my first Kitchen-Aid mixer, and started working in bakeries. I have been baking professionally for over 20 years and decorating cakes for over 15 years. I've had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of bakery production and gain the knowledge and cake experience to perfect my decorating skills. I take a lot of pride in my work and constantly strive to exceed the expectations of each and every customer. Customers come to me with a specific dessert vision for their event. My passion for baking and decorating helps make those visions a reality. When a customer first sets eyes on their cake, and you see their face light up, when they say, "Oh my gosh, I love it," or you see the happy tears start to form in their eyes, it's the greatest feeling. This cake or dessert is now a fond memory for them. A memory that I am thrilled to have created for my customers, their family, and their friends.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

People are always surprised to find out that Get Baked is a one-woman show. I am that woman. I make, bake, and decorate it all. Every customer order has my full attention from start to finish. My customer base continues to grow every year, and I could not be more thrilled. The leap of faith I took to start my business has paid off. Although I am still a one-woman show, I am totally fine with that!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

For me, one of the hardest things is promoting my business. I have my website, Facebook business page, and Instagram. I do my best to keep my website up to date and post regularly on Facebook and Instagram, but sometimes that is a struggle with emails, phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages, etc. I am fairly tech-savvy, but regular social media posts are not my forte. I am still a work in progress on that one! I am thankful to have so many repeat customers. I am grateful my wonderful customers refer their friends, family, and coworkers to me. I am also thankful there is nothing that beats the simplest form of communication – word of mouth. It's fast, effective, and travels like wildfire. If you create something spectacular, people are going to know about it. It only takes one person to ignite that flame.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. It's ok to start small. We all have to start somewhere. You don't need to start out with a gigantic workspace, new expensive equipment, and a bunch of employees. I have always had a full-time job. Friends and family began asking me to make cakes over the years. An order every now and then was fine with my crazy work schedule. Eventually, after receiving more and more cake requests, it becomes too difficult to work full-time for someone else and then come home and basically work another full-time job. Get Baked Bakery was started. My customer base continues to grow every year, which has allowed me to increase my work space and upgrade my equipment. Eventually, there will be more employees, but for right now, I am still my only employee, and that's ok!
  2. A support system. My husband and family have always been my biggest fans. Their support and encouragement have helped me become the success I am today. If it wasn't for their loving persistence, I would not have taken the leap of faith that led me to become a business owner and be my own boss.
  3. A passion for what you do. If you don't love what you do, you won't have the motivation to get up every day and work on building your business. It's hard work, and not every day is sunshine and rainbows. My job and my business are stressful, and I have had thoughts of quitting and going back to the corporate world. But, when I see how happy and ecstatic my customers are when they receive their cake or cookie orders, the joy on their faces makes it all worthwhile.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.getbakeddfw.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetBakedBakeryTX
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hendleyheidi/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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