Today we’d like to introduce you to Erma Bryant.
Erma, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve loved baking ever since I was a child. I was enamored by desserts I saw in magazines and cookbooks, constantly trying to replicate them. In 2009, I decided I wanted to make these beautifully decorated sugar cookies that I saw on the Internet, for a party. They were so intricately designed. I was fascinated with the kind of artwork that could be on a cookie and was determined to make them. My first ones were decorated as basketballs. Not only did people comment on the design, but they loved the taste! Over time, I gradually tweaked my recipes and techniques and became really good at making sugar cookies. That was the first time I thought, “This could actually be a business.” At the time, the Texas Cottage Food Law, which allows bakers to sell from their home kitchen, had not yet been passed, but a vote was coming soon. I continued to improve my skills, dreaming of future business. However, I was also a single mom with a full-time job trying to make ends meet, throwing my dream onto the back-burner.
Fast forward nine years, and I became quite good at not only cookies, but also cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. By this time, the Texas Cottage Food Law had passed. I baked anytime I could, volunteering to bring my desserts to all the family gatherings. On three separate occasions, someone commented that I could be selling these— that really resonated with me. I knew that I would be going on a church mission trip soon, so I had the idea to sell cookies to fundraise for it. I did a little market research at my husband’s job, sending him with batches of cookies to take with him. They were met with great reviews. From there, I took my first big order of almost 300 cookie party favors, and Love and Butter Cookies was born!
Great, 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?
Of course, not! One of the biggest struggles I face is balancing work and family life. Managing a household with four small kids while getting a business up and running is not easy. However, integrating the kids into the business has been equally valuable and fun. My oldest is in college and helps me with my marketing— the website, social media, etc. My 17-year old daughter actually gave me my killer chocolate chip recipe: “Nay-Nay’s Chocolate Chip.” I’m sure it’s no surprise that my four younger ones are always up for taste-testing. Growing business is also a challenge as a Cottage Food baker. Since there is no storefront, you rely on referrals, which can be a slow process.
Please tell us about Love & Butter Cookies.
Love and Butter Cookies is a Cottage Food bakery that makes handmade custom-ordered desserts. Our menu is just a start—it doesn’t limit what we make for our customers. We strive to balance the WOW factor of a dessert, without sacrificing taste, standing by our tagline: “Pretty Delicious”. I’m proud that I did not give up on my dream even though it did not happen when or how I thought it would. It’s been almost a decade since I first had the idea, but I never let it die. The opportunities for a Cottage Food baker are much greater now, with technology and social media marketing.
Contact Info:
- Website: loveandbuttercookies.com
- Phone: 972-814-1140
- Email: erma@loveandbuttercookies.com
- Instagram: @loveandbuttercookies
- Facebook: Love and Butter Cookies
Image Credit:
Brian Ferguson
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