Rising Stars: Meet Kasey Willis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasey Willis.

Hi Kasey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Kasey and I am a wife, mother to two boys and I love to bake! My love for baking cookies started when I took a Cookie Class with The Cookie School. I didn’t go into the class with the intentions of starting a cookie business. After I took the beginner class, we had homework to make three dozen on our own as a pre-requisite to take the next class. I loved baking so much, knocking out three dozen cookies on my own for homework was fun (and therapeutic) for me! I kind of jumped into selling cookies after sharing my new hobby on social media and friends and family started putting in orders with me. After hearing so many people tell me to take my cookies seriously and start a business, I took the jump and dove in officially in 2020!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is smooth and easy when I let myself just enjoy the ride. When I put too much focus on how many new orders I’m not getting it can start to feel discouraging. That’s when I have to take a moment to remind myself of all the returning customers I do have. I’m so thankful for all the clients that keep coming back. It means I must be doing something right!

The biggest struggle I face is when I compare myself to other bakers and cookiers. There is so much talent out there and it’s easy to give myself imposter syndrome. I find myself saying, “I’ll never get to that level” or “Why would anyone want to pay my prices for my work?” And they always seemed so much more organized with their business than I. Then, I look at the orders I do have on my calendar and tell myself, “These clients believe in me and my work, so I need to start believing in it, too!”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I bake and decorate custom sugar cookies, all from scratch out of my house. I’m referred to as a “Cottage Baker’ since I sell out of my home. I’ve specialized in decorating sugar cookies for all events and occasions, but recently I started to offer macarons which are quite hard to find in the area I live. I also believe the taste of my cookies sets me apart from other bakers and cookiers where I live.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have so many people around me that are always cheering me on, but my husband is my biggest supporter! He is always down to deliver an order or make a quick trip to the grocery store when I’ve run out of ingredients. I remember many times starting the dough and realizing I don’t have enough flour. He’s been my lifesaver on many occasions to drop what he’s doing and run to the store to get more flour. I can’t forget about my two sons either, they’re the best taste-testers!

My sister-in-law has also been my biggest advocate for putting myself out there. She is my right-hand woman when I sell in person at markets and expos. I’m so introverted and she’s very extroverted, so she has no problem getting in front of people and getting my name out there. Thanks, sis!

Jacquie Thompson-Hlozek of Board and Brush in Peachtree City – she was always ordering from me for the studio’s events and for personal orders. With each order delivered, she’d always tell me, “You should do this for real.” After multiple encouraging pushes, I finally took the dive and I haven’t looked back!

Pricing:

Contact Info:

• Email: sugamommacookies@gmail.com
• Website: https://sugamommacookies.wixsite.com/sugamommacookies
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugamommacookies/