Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Edwards.
Hi Kristi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Five years ago I was working at Whole Foods Market as a produce buyer when I met my husband. His mother had her own gourmet muffin business, where she sold in a lot of farmer’s markets. One Christmas, I made gingerbread men, posted them on Facebook and she had told me to make more and she would try to sell them at one of her markets. People went absolutely nuts over them! I decided then that it was a really good source of extra income and started dipping my toe into online royal icing tutorials. After spending a couple months making batch after batch of sugar cookies, I created a Facebook page and since then, I’ve never looked back! I got to quit my full-time job, and now I get to stay home with my kids and create little works of art to add that extra something to people’s celebrations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a mom of an 8-year-old and a one-year-old, it has had its rough patches. Trying to get orders done by their due date and making sure everything is up to my artistic standards on little sleep. But, for the most part, it’s been a fairly smooth ride! I have the absolute greatest customers in the world, and they make every bump in the road worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work under the Cottage Food Law, which allows me to bake and operate out of my home. I specialize in custom sugar cookies with royal icing. I’m known for not only my cookies but I also host pop-up shops on my front porch and at local businesses. People flock to them, and normally they only last a couple of hours before I completely sell out. I bake hundreds of cookies in various designs and place them out for people to come over and shop! I base them around holidays so people don’t have to place an order; they can just come grab a cookie or two to satisfy that sweet tooth. People absolutely love the fact that they can come and grab cookies and be on their way; I like to call it a one-stop-shop. I also reach out to other local moms who have small business and extend an invite for them to set up with me. It gives people a direct link to other bakers/artists in our area!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Oh man, that’s a loaded question! My husband, my kids, my family! I mean, I have the greatest support system someone could have. My parents have been there for me since the beginning of my journey and have always given me the greatest advice. They come to every single pop-up shop I have. I send them pictures of finished sets and they always praise me on my art. My husband, he has never not supported me through quitting my job to pursue this, to helping with packaging, kids, setting up shops. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am without them, and it makes me the happiest person to have such unwavering support.
Pricing:
- Cookies start at $48.00 a dozen
- Mini cookies $24.00 a dozen
Contact Info:
- Email: Eightarmsbakery@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/eightarmsbakery
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/eightarmsbakery
Image Credits
Rebecca Shines Photography
