Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Holtzclaw.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was working full time at Candler Park Market as the assistant manager in the deli while also making desserts when I got pregnant. I had to figure out what to do because working in the food industry doesn’t pay enough to afford childcare and that’s when Robin Santos (the deli manager) and I were talking one day and tossed around the idea of me just making desserts full time and turning that into a business and using the market as my kitchen thus creating Ashley Sue’s Baked Goods. Since I’ve never had a store front, having wholesale accounts was crucial but I also had to get my face and baked goods out in front of people so I decided on doing craft shows like Indie Craft Experience and pop ups. Today I wholesale to Homegrown, Just Add Honey, Firelight Coffee Roasters, Hodgepodge Coffeehouse, and to Cult Carts!
Great, 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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and I wouldn’t believe anyone in the restaurant industry if they said they’d had one.
The hardest thing for me is juggling being a mother and still living out my dream of baking for a living. It’s already hard being a female in this industry let alone throwing a baby in the mix! But luckily I have built a great community of amazing MOMPRENUERS who can identify with these same struggles and lift each other up and help in any way they can.
Ashley Sue’s Baked Goods – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ashley Sue’s Baked Goods is basically a one woman show with the occasional help of my badass grandmother aka NINNY. I’m currently we’ll known for my homemade pop tarts and cookie cakes with hilarious messages on them.
I’m proud that I’ve made it this far (going into my 4th year) with no monetary help or capital to start with!
I think what sets me apart from other baked good company’s in Atlanta is that I’m a junk food junkie and that certainly translates into my creations… pop tarts, hostess cupcakes, and incorporating candy bars into my desserts. I love nostalgic, classic American desserts and southern desserts. I’m looking for love and comfort when I reach for a baked good and that’s exactly my mission when I step into the kitchen to bake.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was having a pop tarts in the March edition of Atlanta Magazines “best of breakfast” AND also making the table of contents page.
I’m also extremely proud anytime I get a referral from a happy customer!
Pricing:
- Poptarts $3.50
- Cookie cakes $20-$26
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ashleysuesbakedgoods.com
- Phone: 7064763808
- Email: ashleysuesbakedgoods@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ashleysuesbakedgoods
Image Credit:
Ashley Holtzclaw
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