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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 filled out the…
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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 got married…
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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 tied on. I…
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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…
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Cut The Red Tape, An Anonymous Baker’s Story
Today we feature the personal story of a stay-at-home mom who loved to bake. This is her story in her own words. She has chosen to remain anonymous. “I was a stay-at-home mom for years and home-schooled my three sons. During that time, I sold baked goods and candy from my home to supplement our income. I really enjoyed baking for others – and especially being able to earn an income from it. Baking could be done in the evenings after school or even during the night, in the comfort of my own home, with my children there with me. There were no childcare costs, additional work-wear costs, or other…
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Shut Down By The Health Department, Micaela’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker who was shut down by the health department. This Micaela’s story in her own words. “I have always loved baking and eating sweets! My Mom used to bake a lot when I was growing up and I was always in the kitchen helping her or watching her bake. She was famous for her eclairs that she used to donate to the local fish fry’s during Lent. When my Mom passed away in 2000 I sort of took over her recipe box and started teaching myself how to bake those famous eclairs and eventually taught myself more and more as the years…
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Illegal Sweets, An Anonymous Baker’s Story
It is a real thing that home baking is illegal in Kentucky, and if found out you will be shut down by the health department. If you do not comply they will fine you. In some states like Wisconsin, they will put you in jail. Who knew cookies could be illegal contraband? Today we feature the story of a lady who has wished to remain anonymous. This is her story in her own words. “In 2015 our daughter was diagnosed with Autism; she was non-verbal, non-responsive to basic early intervention, and communicating at the level of a 9-month-old. We live in Kentucky where most families of children with Autism must choose…
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*Edited* Beautiful Cookie Art, Charity’s Story
This story was removed at the request of Cookies by Charity. Unfortunately we cannot remove all photos of Charity that are in a public setting as she agreed to be in those photographs. It would be unfair to the other bakers in the photos who helped in our cause to remove those images.
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A Mom With A Dream, Rachel’s Story
Today we feature the personal story of a home baker from Kentucky named Rachel. This is Rachel’s story in her own words. “I moved to Kentucky just three years ago with my (then) boyfriend, who works on the river, with the dream to establish some cake business and open up a bakery. I have been overwhelmed with the support in the little town and my cake business quickly grew. I got a day job at the local bank, and spent my hours at night and on the weekends making cakes to fill orders. We got married and were planning to move forward with a bakery, when I got pregnant. We…
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Kentucky Cottage Food Law, Connie’s Story
Today we feature the personal story of a home baker from Kentucky named Connie. This is Connie’s story in her own words. “I have lived in Kentucky since 1995. I was so excited when I moved here. However the longer I am here the more depressed I get. I was so young in my early 20’s didn’t think much of the little laws hidden in the fine print that would one day be the reason I would want to leave Kentucky. Kentucky is a great place to live if you have no ambition. If you want to work a minimum wage job and live paycheck to paycheck then by all…
