Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynette Maldonado
Hi Lynette, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have loved baking my entire life. Growing up I would ask my mom to buy box mixes at the grocery store and enjoyed making cakes, cookies and brownies for our family. When I was in college, I decided to try baking my first from-scratch dessert. I made a New York Style Cheesecake. Everyone loved it and that gave me the confidence to experiment outside of the grocery store box mixes. I began baking professionally in 2015 under my previous business name, Cutie Pie Cookies, and successfully grew my business until 2021. Unfortunately, post-pandemic, I was presented with circumstances that made it impossible to continue with my small business and Cutie Pie Cookies officially closed in the summer of 2021. Life happened and we cycled through that transition as a family. At the start of 2024, I was starting to feel the desire to reopen my business and try again. I wrestled with the thought for months, but ultimately decided that baking is where my heart lies and if I did it once, I can do it again! That’s how The Sugarful Barn was born! I decided to rebrand and start fresh in April of 2024.
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?
Since opening The Sugarful Barn in April of 2024, I have encountered some minor obstacles. A lot has changed since I “left the game” back in 2021. Even though it sounds like such a short time, the way marketing and social media evolve so quickly makes three years seem like a long time. I have had to relearn marketing strategies, social media trends and overall what my customers “are into” now. Adapting my business model from 2021 to 2024 without any research in between has been the biggest challenge. But through trial and error, I am bridging that gap and increasing my knowledge and experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for my sugar cookies, this is the item that brings people in the door, so to speak. I specialize in sugar cookies decorated with royal icing to match any occasion or theme my clients are using in their celebrations. Each order is unique and I love immersing myself in the details and creating something special for each client. No cookie set is the same, they are all unique pieces of edible art. But they are not just pretty to look at, I make my cookies thick, soft and delicious which is what sets me apart. The best compliment I get from my customers is that they are surprised by just how good my cookies taste, as you don’t come to expect that with a decorated cookie. I deliver both on looks and flavor!
I addition to decorated sugar cookies, I work with French macarons, gourmet bakery-style cookies, and small cakes.
What’s next?
I have so many plans for The Sugarful Barn! Right now all of my attention is going to a “bakery barn” we are putting together in my backyard. Think of it as a she-shed, but for baking! I have always worked out of my home kitchen under the Florida Cottage Food Act, which is the governing laws that regulate home bakers in Florida. As my business has grown and expanded, baking out of home can be a challenge, especially on busy holidays like Christmas. “The Bakery”, as I call it, will be my own space to work out of without the interruptions of family life and will also allow me to expand my production to a much higher capacity. I will still work under the Florida Cottage Food Act, as the bakery will be an extension of my home, but years down the line, I would love to have it officially inspected as a commercial kitchen and see what doors will open for me after that! In addition to this, once the space is finished, I plan to host cookie and cake decorating workshops from time to time!
Pricing:
- Decorated Sugar Cookies $50 per dozen
- Macarons $40 per dozen
- Monthly Gourmet Cookies $6 each
- Bento Cake Box $58
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thesugarfulbarn.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesugarfulbarn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesugarfulbarn/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thesugarfulbarn
