Exploring Life & Business with Kelsey Carpenter of Confections by Carpenter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Carpenter.  

Hi Kelsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Kelsey Carpenter and I am the owner of this sweet little business located in Azle, Texas. 

Baking has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl, ever since I watched sleeping beauty and saw the scene where they make her a birthday cake, I was hooked. After that, I was always making delicious cookies with my grandmother and my aunt. 

Once I became a little older, I began entering in local baking competitions (4-H, Youth Fair, etc.), where I won awards in a variety of areas and realized that this was becoming much more than a hobby I simply did for fun; it was beginning to be a passion. While I wanted to go to culinary school, my dad insisted on a college degree so off to college I went. After I graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, I took a chance and sought out any opportunity to make baking a career and searched out jobs and internships. I was given an internship in Fort Worth at a Leah’s Sweet Treats where I learned new techniques and really gave this “baking” thing a shot! 

With the support of my amazing husband, Haden, my wonderful family, and friends, I realized that this was what I wanted to do with my life, what I needed to do! 

Once I became pregnant with my first baby, my son Logan, I decided that it was time to branch out on my own. After working for a few bakeries for 3-4 years, I felt like I had all the necessary skills and knowledge to start my own from home bakery. 

Now we are a popular and thriving from home bakery here in Azle, figuring out how to balance life as a small business owner and a mama. I love getting to do what I’m passionate about while being home to take care of my best creations yet, my son Logan and daughter Lennon! 

I’m so excited to be branching out our business and working with Dallas venues like The Bomb Factory and Gilleys. Making decorated sugar cookies for bands and other clients has added an entire new level of excitement to our business, and we can’t wait to see where it goes. Some of my favorite music artists have enjoyed a custom cookie I made for them; how crazy is that! It’s seriously a dream come true. Working for the Dallas community is absolutely amazing! 

Doing what I love is so fulfilling and brings me so much joy, but I have yet to find a feeling I love more than when I watch others enjoy my creations! I want to share in everyone’s special occasions and help them celebrate all of life’s biggest moments with a dessert that will make your heart happy. 

Alright, 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?
When we first started this business back is 2017, it was more out of desperation than desire. I had just found out I was pregnant with my first child and was incredibly overworked at the bakery job I was working. I was used to working 10-12 hours a day while dealing with morning sickness, and I knew I couldn’t keep up with demands. So, I decided to start building a client base in Fort Worth. 

Business took off after that! We were doing so well for just starting out, enough to move out of Fort Worth to Azle and buy our first home in 2018-2019. Then Covid-19 rocked the entire world, and business stopped as quickly as it began, parties and weddings were canceled, and to make matters worse my husband was let go of his job. 

Working in the business of “want” rather than “need” is always a struggle, but when you are hit with a global pandemic that has people afraid to even leave their homes you have to get creative, and that’s exactly what we did. We prepared DIY Cupcake kits and cookie kits for families to do at home together to help with the boredom. We starting doing live Facebook baking tutorials, sharing some of our most popular recipes with our community. So, while it was a struggle, I’d like to think we made the best of it. 

Now our biggest struggle is just balancing motherhood with my business. I have both kids at home with me, and while that is a huge blessing for me, it’s also one of my biggest stresses. 

My oldest son is autistic 

As you know, we’re big fans of Confections by Carpenter. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in creating sweet treats for any and all special occasions. Weddings, birthdays, baby showers, you name it, and we can help! 

While we specialize in a variety of treats, something we are most proud of currently is the work we are providing for venues. We are currently working with The Factory in Deep Ellum by providing custom-decorated cookies for their musical artist. Each cookie is themed after the artists brand, logo, lyrics, and features some of their artwork they advertise. We make custom cookie cutters in order to make everything extra realistic and it has been an absolute dream for us! It’s an opportunity for us to get as creative as we want and come up with cool 

Designs and ideas. When the artists feature our work on their social media, it fills us with so much pride and is an absolute rush! 

Something else I think that sets us apart is our crazy flavor menu. We are constantly coming up with new flavors and trying new ideas. Especially when it comes to macarons, while you can find your classic flavors, you will also find some not a part of the norm, like Banana split, key lime pie, and chocolate-covered strawberry! 

We also take great 

Pricing:

• Cookies- $40 per dozen
• Macarons $28 per dozen
• Wedding cakes $4.50 per Serving
• Party cakes $4 per serving

Contact Info:

• Website: www.confectionsbycarpenter.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConfectionsbyCarpenter/
• Other: TikTok @kelseyreads2much

Image Credits
Kortni Kennedy