Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Bayardo.
Hi Kayla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for having me! So I am originally from the Salem MA area, born and raised, and I have been practicing Witchcraft on and off since I was in my teen years. I moved to Orlando, FL a little over a year ago and discovered fairly quickly how large the horror and metaphysical community was down here, even more so than Salem, and I was so excited to be a part of the community! I have also been a professional in the culinary industry for roughly 10 years and have wanted to own a bakery all my life! I decided now was as good a time as any to start my small business and just went for it! I met a friend in the community at a local convention who offered to share her space at a night market in December; it would be my very first vending experience. I combined my love for white magic and baking and created 1692, and it has become my passion very quickly. I have done 2 events so far, have 3 planned for February and have many more planned in the coming months. The customers I have had so far have been so wonderful and have loved my work. It’s the best feeling ever!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have to say, so far, it’s been quite a smooth ride! I have a wonderful friend who has been assisting me at every event; she’s been fantastic, helping me set up and sell! My husband is also very supportive and helps with anything I may need. The only thing that comes up every so often is my diagnosed social anxiety. Sometimes I have a hard time being in a social setting and talking to people/networking but with the support of my friends and husband and how kind the community has been, it has made it so much easier to cope!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I pride myself on practicing ONLY white magic. I don’t mess with anything negative and have clients who request special services of me such as home cleansing, creating protective spell bags and hex-breaking spell bags. I work with anything from love charms to sleep aids, bath salts, and herb-rubbed candles. I even do custom work! I am currently studying herbalism and hope to one day extend to creating salves, oils, and tinctures and to help even more with homeopathic health care. The other part of my business is baking delicious goods that correspond with the herbs I work with. I am an artisan baker and make everything from sweet breads to cookies and everything in between! I think what sets me apart from others is that I am very open about my spell work. I don’t hide what I do and am not ashamed to say that I am a practicing witch, I am very proud of myself in that manner. Helping people is what’s important to me and that’s what my work does. No matter what you believe in, I have something for everyone!
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is to provide for myself and my little family (my husband and all 5 of my pets!) and to help people who struggle with ailments, whether it be mental, spiritual, or physical. I struggled a lot growing up with being self-sufficient, so success is very important to me. I do already consider myself successful, as I have started my own business from the ground up and am able to do what I love while meeting and helping wonderful people and being able to provide for myself. I have had a dream ever since I was little of owning a small shop with an apartment above it that I would reside in, overlooking the water in a small fishing town like the one I grew up in. Where I can sell my spells and my baked goods and other various items, where it smelled of patchouli incense and warm bread. Decorated and inviting for my customers to come in and feel safe. Once I have that, I will have completely made my dreams come true and that’s the goal I’m working towards!
Pricing:
- Candles from $6-$10
- Spell bags/charms from $5-$15
- Fresh catnip bags $4
- Bath products from $5-$20
- Earrings from $8-$10
Contact Info:
- Website: Etsy.com/shop/1692botanicabakeshop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1692botanica/
