Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Bass.
Christina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I discovered my talent for baking back in 2011. Living in West Texas, I had started work at a new company and the job was highly stressful. It was a typical 8 – 5, but because of the large workload I daily went in early and worked late – often working at home for a few hours before bed. During my free time, I was always thinking about work, so I started cooking more to occupy my mind and to help me relax. During that time, I watched the Food Network religiously and one my favorite chefs would often make desserts, so I decided to give her chocolate cupcakes a try. I hadn’t really baked before (other than the typical box cake or brownies) so, this was my first-time baking from scratch. When my cupcakes came out perfect, I knew I had discovered a gift. It was like I had opened a gift that had been sitting for years, patiently waiting for me to notice and rip it open – I just knew I had to pursue it.
As I continued to bake as a hobby, my desire to bake increased and I wanted to grow my skills and knowledge, so I started a part-time job at a local bakery – decorating cookies, washing dishes and occasionally decorating a cake. Shortly after that, I moved from West Texas to Colorado and instead of returning to my “professional” 9 -5 work life, I decided to pursue my love for baking. For a season, I worked at a couple of bakeries before I landed a job as a baker at a small bakeshop; within the first three months I was promoted to head baker. I oversaw daily production, the other bakers and the overall functioning of the kitchen – it was awesome, and I felt at home. The job was tasking and definitely hard work, but it wasn’t like before. Even though I was drained after a long day, I looked forward to going back. That’s when I knew I could do this for myself and make it my business.
In 2018, while in Colorado I developed my own recipes and when the time was right, I started Little Mae Lily’s (LML) at the farmers market. The overall response was positive, but unexpectedly in 2019 things changed, and life led me to North Dallas. Ultimately, my dream is for LML to grow into a retail bakeshop, but until then I’m sharing the love at local farmers markets one bake at a time.
Has it been a smooth road?
This journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. Entrepreneurship has stretched me and continues to push me beyond my comfort zones. Every day is different and brings its own challenges, but I went through a phase of wondering if I’m doing things “right” – did I say the “right” thing…are my prices “right”…did I make the “right” choice and so on… At first, I also struggled with enjoying the journey and appreciating the small victories. I was so focused on the big goal of owning a retail bakeshop that I wasn’t enjoying the success I had in the farmers market. I had to step back and see that my small victories were actually big wins because they pushed me one step closer to my ultimate goal.
I would advise other women who are just starting their journey to give themselves permission to be a beginner, to give themselves permission to make mistakes and learn from them and to give their vision permission to grow in its own time. I’d say avoid the desire for quick success and appreciate, enjoy and embrace the journey in every stage. I now view Little Mae Lily’s like a seed planted in the soil – with consistent watering and nutrients it will grow naturally in due time.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Little Mae Lily’s story. Tell us more about the business.
Little Mae Lily’s specializes in made from scratch layered cakes, pies, cookies and other confections. I cater special events and create menus to fit the occasion, but I also have a standard delivery menu that I provide at the farmers market in the form of single servings. My most popular cake flavor is tied between Daddy’s Chocolate and Butter Pecan and Ms. Mae’s Pecan Pie is most definitely a star. LML is all about highlighting the classics and perfecting the tastes we often crave.
There were times when I wanted what I consider a good ‘ol brownie. Not a cakey brownie or a heavy fudge like brownie, but the kind that is the perfect marriage between the two. The kind of brownie that crinkles on the top, with a crusty edge that’s perfectly dense in the center; it’s not too heavy and when you bite it, it has the perfect amount of chewiness. Yes! That kind of brownie, so after I couldn’t find it and satisfy my craving, I decided to make my own and the same goes with all my desserts. Little Mae Lily’s is about making the moments we decide to indulge ourselves worth every bite by creating a memorable crave worthy experience. Simply put — if you’re gonna eat that dessert – make it worth it and make it good!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
If my childhood is compared to the American dream – I grew up poor. So, I’d say that my experiences growing up contradict any notions I have regarding success, but at the same time they’ve given me my “why” and contribute to my ambition. My childhood prepared me to not be afraid of failure because I’ve already experienced it. As a child I felt confined to be no more than what others defined me as and that experience has driven me to be more of myself. I haven’t reached all of my business goals, but if I’m honest, I already feel successful because I’ve revealed a piece of myself to the world that I was once told couldn’t and shouldn’t exists.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlemaelilys.com
- Phone: 720-460-0356
- Email: info@littlemaelilys.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/littlemaelilys
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/littlemaelilys
Image Credit:
Christina Bass – Little Mae Lily’s
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