Today we’d like to introduce you to Riom Lawrence.
Hi Riom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started baking when I was 12 years old. At first, it was just a hobby, and I genuinely enjoyed experimenting with different desserts and trying different recipes. Last year, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, my family assigned me to take care of the dessert table (making all the desserts). My baking skills improved tremendously during this time. I taught myself how to make macarons and properly decorate a cake, as well as use piping tools. In February of this year, I decided to share my desserts with others and start my own business. I went through the process of creating my own website and marketing myself through Instagram, LinkedIn, and attending local events as a vendor. Although I haven’t made as many sales as I’d like, I have enjoyed the process of running my own business and creating unique cookie flavors every month. My goal is to expand my business and increase sales before the end of the year. I am proud of myself for managing school, water polo, and running a business simultaneously.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
At first, I was not getting any sales, no matter how much I posted or spread the word. After about a month, I attended two local events as a vendor and sold cookies. I earned a substantial amount of money and distributed business cards to my customers. My biggest challenge has been getting sales and bringing traffic to my website. While my Instagram has brought a great deal of attention to my business, sales are slow, and people often do not want to purchase from small businesses because some overcharge for subpar products. Marketing also costs money. Instagram charges to boost your posts to reach a wider audience. Despite these struggles, I still focus on achieving my goal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I started RGLBakehouse in April 2025. I sell baked goods such as cookies and breads. I offer custom cookie boxes as well, so my customers can mix and match their favorite flavors. What sets me apart from others is that I use wholesome ingredients and I do not use refined sugar or artificial flavorings/ colorings. I am proud that I built my brand myself. I want readers to know that I offer quality treats for a reasonable price. I also hope readers will support me as I continue to run my business and market myself.
How do you think about happiness?
Going to church, spending time with family, playing my sport, hanging out with friends, and running my business make me happy. Church makes me happy because it allows me to grow closer to God. My family makes me happy because we have a lot of good memories together, and they are my biggest supporters. As previously mentioned, I play water polo, and I am currently in high school season. I enjoy practicing and playing with my team. I have been playing water polo for five years, and I have progressed tremendously in the sport. Running my business makes me happy because it allows me to gain business knowledge while doing what I enjoy.
Pricing:
- For a dozen cookies (depending on the flavor) I charge $12, shipping is $8-9.
- Shipping prices are based on location, weight of the package, and quantity.
- My prices are also based on work hours, costs of ingredients, and other factors such as shipping prices (I pay to deliever packages).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rglbakehouse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rglbakehouse/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riom-lawrence-172300366/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RGLBakehouse
Image Credits
Credits go to Riom Lawrence (me). I take pictures of all my treats for my website and socials.
