Today we’d like to introduce you to Andréa Ulbrich.
Hi Andréa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Baking had always been a part of my upbringing. Every year, since I was little, my mom and I would bake cookies around the Holidays and give them away as gifts. I don’t think, at the time, I would ever imagine this as a potential career path. It was simply cherished moments with my Mother, creating little baked memories we shared with family and friends.
After graduating college, I got a job as a Network Operations Technician, far from the degree and career path I had envisioned for myself. I was good at my job, but I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. This was an ongoing joke within the company. People had worked there for many years and yet still couldn’t describe their roles. So as a form of a sanity saver and really a creative outlet for myself, I began to bake when I got home each evening and on weekends. I would share my baked goods with coworkers, friends, and family. It was extremely therapeutic and satisfying to create these small treats and bring a moment of joy to those I shared them with. Everyone loves a little unexpected treat. It felt like the passion, joy, and positive energy I placed into my baking would emanate from the treat to those enjoying my little creation.
Quickly I realized that I should find a way to turn this passion into a career. With the encouragement of my husband, I went to culinary school. While in school, I took a position at a local bakery where I could continue to bake those special treat moments and spend my time decorating cookies, which I enjoyed the most. I was very proud of my creations at the bakery, but I was told by my manager that I needed to spend less time on cookies because, as it was bluntly told to me, “no one would buy them.” I was heartbroken but persisted because I had witnessed the joy firsthand of those who received my cookies. I realized I wasn’t just creating cookies, I was creating a moment in time, a memory of a celebration, special occasion, or a “just because” moment. How do you put a price tag on that?!
Fast forward to a few years later and those cookies I was decorating on my own time continued to be in demand from friends, friends of friends and even complete strangers. The word of mouth momentum was building, so I decided to open a cottage bakery. It was the most rewarding feeling ever. I love more than anything to get requests and to create cookies for celebrations! It’s not just about the cookies but being a part of a celebration and creating memories!
In 2017, my husband received a promotion that required us to relocate from Ohio to Florida. I closed my business to spend time with our then one-year-old son. I loved baking and decorating, but the thought of reopening my business in a new city without family support was terrifying. For the past few years, I have made friends and I always take cookies to events. I began baking more once there were COVID restrictions in place and our activity options were limited. The highlight of my social life in 2020 was meeting with a group of friends in a parking lot to have social-distanced themed gift exchanges! Halloween, Christmas, and “Galentine’s” Day to name a few. Each time I took cookies and those “joy-moments” that originally inspired me to open my business were back. Baking and sharing cookies brought me and others so much joy in 2020 that I began the process and planning of reopening my cottage bakery in 2021.
In February of 2021, I officially reopened my cottage bakery and I am beyond grateful for the support that I have received as my calendar continues to fill up with memory baking moments!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a new business in a city where you know a handful of people was very intimidating! Especially a home-based cottage bakery during a pandemic. How can I market myself to people who don’t know me who are willing to take a chance on me to provide cookies for their event based on what I post on social media? I am very grateful for the opportunities that have been presented, but it has certainly been a challenge.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I provide made-to-order petite vanilla bean sugar cookies. I take pride in picking out quality ingredients to yield the best flavor. Rich European butter, glorious specks of vanilla bean, and lots of love are what make my cookies special.
Over the past year, I got back into making my own vanilla extract/paste. I purchase vanilla beans through a vanilla bean co-op that are sourced straight from the growers. Right now, I have some brewing from Madagascar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Papa New Guinea, to name a few. I love hearing about my clients’ celebrations and bringing their visions to life. I enjoy matching their decorations and paying attention to the little details to make their cookies special.
The cookies that stand out the most to me are the ones with stories attached that clients have shared with me. For instance, a little girl who had a gluten allergy that was able to enjoy cookies again with our gluten-free cookies for her birthday. Also, the little boy who had just been cleared to resume a normal diet after having an organ transplant, their family celebrated by ordering Donate Life Cookies. That’s why I love making baking up memories you can taste!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t overcomplicate your ideas! When I first started my business, I had cupcakes, cake pops, and cake truffles on my menu when I really didn’t enjoy making them as much as making cookies. I found more success when I focused more on doing what I enjoyed.
Contact Info:
- Email: drea@dreaspetitesweets.com
- Website: www.dreaspetitesweets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreaspetitesweets/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dreaspetitesweets/
Image Credits
Images by Dréa’s Petite Sweets Logo by Aaron Miller
