This is a guest blog post by Suzanna Starr Williams. She is the owner and operator of Southern Starr Bakery in Nicholasville, Kentucky. You know that old saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? Well, in my case it’s taken me the better of 6 years to make my lemonade, but I’ve finally gotten those lemons juiced and the mixture is coming along. With time, I will venture to say it will even be outstanding! I was in a serious car accident which resulted in 9 months of physical therapy, spinal injections, and a lifetime of pain. It limited the jobs I could do, since my ...
Baker's Stories
Baking For Her Son, Christina’s Baking Story
Today we feature the baking story of a baker from Versailles, Kentucky. Who's motivation for baking is her son. "My motivation for baking is my son. He is a talented musician who takes private lessons weekly, needs high quality musical instruments, and travels for many band events not just throughout the state, but also around the world. As you can imagine, all of this comes with a high price tag. I have been able to offset the expenses associated with his participation with baking cupcakes. I don’t have a cute business name, but my cupcakes taste delicious. For Derby weekend, I baked Mint Julep cupcakes ...
Kentucky Blue Ribbon Pies and Cakes, Tracey’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker from Ashland, Kentucky who had to give up her bakery, but knows that God is good through it all. "When my children were younger I visited a church to possibly attend. One day (The very day) I was making the decision to either return to that church or just not. I came home to a pie on my porch from a lady that attended that very church. Needless to say on that day it made my decision easy. I still attend this church 23 years later but I’m happy to report, that I am now the Associate Pastor in Music Ministry there. I own a bakery called Kentucky Blue Ribbon Pies and ...
High Barrier To Entry, Even As A Farmer – Emily’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a farmer. This is Emily's story in her own words. "Dear Kentucky State Lawmakers, I am Two Sisters Fudge, a small entity that followed all the rules for a few dollars per pound in profit. I am Kentucky Proud and yet that doesn't describe my story. I wanted a way for my girls to earn money for college so we started making fudge. We searched the area for a commercial kitchen. Our only options were $250 per month in Louisville - a 30 minute commute or a small ill equipped ancient community kitchen in LaGrange, we were still paying for. We couldn't use the enormous gas ...
Stifled Dreams, Laura’s Baking Story
States with supportive cottage food laws provide simple and inexpensive ways for skilled people to begin safe and profitable businesses from home — businesses that can become sustainable jobs. Arguably, Kentucky’s lack of a cottage food law mostly affects women — ones who can and bake, but who might otherwise lack employment, garden space, access to commercial kitchens or capital.- RACHEL HURD ANGER, LEO Weekly Today we feature a story that yet again, shows how Kentucky puts the dreams of women on hold. Not every person can start out in a commercial kitchen, or a storefront. Some people don't need or want that. ...
Rural American Dreams, Beth’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a baker from a rural Kentucky community. This is Beth's story in her own words. "My name is Beth and I'm only twenty-three years old. I was born and raised in Henry County, Kentucky. I'm new to home baking because I've been baking for less than 2 years. However, I have never found something that fills my heart and let's my mind wonder quite like being in the kitchen behind a pastry bag. It all started about 4 years ago, at my previous job. I was lucky enough to start decorating ice cream cakes at the local Dairy Queen. Eventually with the limited restrictions of what I ...
From Pride and Joy, To Broken Dreams – Mary’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker who built up a home baking business in Michigan. Unfortunately, when she moved, she found out about Kentucky's restrictive cottage food law. This is Mary's story in her own words. "Several years ago, on a whim I decided to take a Wilton course, which led to another, and another. Then, I became a Wilton Instructor. It was great! I loved helping people learn to decorate because I, myself LOVED decorating. It wasn't long afterward that I heard our governor at the time, Jennifer Granholm, signed the Michigan Cottage Food Law. After that, there was no stopping me. I ...
Custom Cookies, Family Tradition – Joanna’s Baking Story
Today we feature a baker who's story sounds all too familiar for home baker's who have attempted starting small home based businesses in the state of Kentucky. This is Joanna's story in her own words. "Families have traditions. Every Christmas my mom baked and iced cookies that she used to decorate our tree and that she gave friends and family as gifts. She used a butter knife to spread icing on them. They weren’t fancy but they tasted amazing and everyone looked forward to Kathy’s Christmas cookies. She got the recipe from the mother of her best friend in college, now more than 50 years ago. When I ...
Making Her Mark, Brooke’s Baking Story
Today we feature a story of a baker who had a successful bourbon cupcake business, but the challenges with Kentucky's law ultimately became too much. This is her story in her own words. "In 2012, I was working as a tour guide for a local Bourbon distillery when I decided to make some bourbon cupcakes for my co-workers. The cupcakes were a hit! I started thinking about how I could make these cupcakes into a business, tapping into the booming bourbon industry and created a business plan. I toyed around with different packaging ideas and eventually settled on small, 4 ounce mason jars, with a bite-sized spoon ...
The Right To Be ‘Kentucky Proud’, Katie’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker from Lexington, Kentucky. This is Katie's baking story in her own words. "I started making sugar cookies in January of 2014, because everyone said “you need to start a cookie business!" I already had my KY ID and Federal ID because I paint furniture and other commissioned artwork. I thought why not add cookies to the different mediums I work with? I had gotten this wild idea I would make cookies for my youngest daughter, who cheered on the all-girl team for the University of Alabama. Since it was the first time that the team had been to the college nationals I ...