We’re looking forward to introducing you to Katie Tripp. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Katie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes are spent getting my kids ready for school and then trying to exercise, either in nature or at the gym. This gym part does not come easy to me as I’m usually thinking about the tasks ahead, but i have found that as a entrepreneur i really have to set rules for myself and take care of my own health
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My Name is Katie Tripp and i am the owner of Little Jars Bakeshop. LJB was actually founded by my daughter Nayeli It started as a passion project during Covid when she was 11 years old. She started making banana bread, and then cake jars and it has expended into a fully fledged business. In January 2025 i lost my job due to changes in the Administration, and i found myself thinking now was the time to expand and grow the business.
We are still making a gourmet range of cake jars but have expanded to also offering interactive desserts. We built a mobile dessert bar and we primarily focus on providing dessert services for events. We help the client to curate a menu of their selected dessert, frostings, drizzles and hand crafted toppings and at the event guests make their selections and a live dessert artist crafts a beautiful dessert unique to them. What sets us apart is our quality and attention to detail. We make all our desserts and all the components from scratch. We are able to work with our clients to ensure that we are not just offering a dessert option but to actually build connection and lasting memories.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think when I got my first job in a restaurant as a young teen. Everyone told me i was too young and no one would hire me, but i was determined to work and earn my own money. I guess you could say i have been hustling since I was a teen
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
So many times. I’m generally a very sensitive person and i always strive to do my best and i go above and beyond for every single client. There are times though when i felt i failed , even though i was the only one that felt that way. Starting a business, especially a food business is incredibly hard. I feel discouraged but i think about what i want to show my children, and i pick myself up and push to find a solution.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Im really committed through the business of working within the community and serving the community. One of foundational values is that desserts should taste good and do good too. I worked in refugee health and nutrition for many years and i feel extremely strongly about also supporting people struggling around us. Therefore we primarily support two very deserving non profits (Clarkston Cares and Intown Cares), who help support families experiencing hardship. Even though things are hard for us as we grow our business we are committed to supporting communities through donations and hiring staff
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
i would regret not trying. After i lost my job with USAID in 2025 i thought i should try and get another regular corporate job. It has been hard for me to bet on myself and spend precious funds expanding the business but i know if i didn’t try i would regret it. I have always been a risk taker, although not reckless. I want to live out my big dreams and encourage my children to do the same. Life gets messy and you make mistakes but you pick yourself up and keep on trying
Contact Info:
- Website: https:littlejarsbakeshop.com
- Instagram: Littlejarsbakeshop
- Linkedin: Littlejarsbakeshop
- Facebook: Littlejarsbakeshop
Image Credits
Sarah Cofer Creative
