Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Dooley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My mom’s a baker. I grew up watching her and helping on small projects never showing interest in doing it on my own. As an adult, I moved to Texas not knowing anyone. Tired of T.V., my mom mailed me a Wilton course book and voila! I made a cake, and another and another. I couldn’t eat them myself so I started taking them to work. One day, I was asked to make a cake for someone and quickly learned that it wasn’t allowed by Texas law. I hopped aboard the lobby to pass the cottage food law and that ignited my career. I started taking classes, learning, competing and through the Dallas Cake Club I’ve made lifelong friends.
I quickly became a marketer by day/baker by night. Then, my son came and my 60+ hour a week job didn’t seem as glamorous. I needed something that enabled me to be nearer to him so I decided to teach! Through that process, I realized that baking would be my new venture. I’d been doing it, had a customer base and I’d been active in my community through my business.
While I enjoy cakes. I love cookies and that’s what I do. Now, I’m a full-time sugar artist and baker who loves to teach.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Any small business owner would agree the pavement could be smoother. Transitioning to this full-time is natural. Making it happen every day is the struggle. It’s demanding. The energy level has to be high and there’s never a day off. That said, I wouldn’t trade it. Every bump is an opportunity. Every opportunity is a challenge and I love a challenge. I enjoy growing my skills, touching lives and most of all being with my son.
Please tell us about Whisked Away Bake House.
I named my baker Whisked Away Bake House because I’m constantly “whisked away” in thoughts of sugar art. My favorite medium is royal icing and that means I love to cookie (yes, cookie is a verb). Cookie-ing is coloring for adults and as we all know, it calms the soul. I’m the luckiest girl to be able to touch so many and be a small part of life’s special moments.
Whisked Away Bake House specializes in decorated sugar cookies, drop cookies (with my signature chocolate chip cookie), cupcakes and a cake from time to time. Newly added are Czech Kolache. I couldn’t get a good one around here. I can’t drive to West whenever I want so after 3 years in development I finally mastered the dough with just the right sweet, yeasty flavor. They’re good. I fill them with Texas produced preserves, fruits and artisan sausage from only the best sausage maker I know – my husband.
I’m most proud of my connection to the community. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Terrell. They’ve supported my growth, tried my products, come to my events, purchased by sweet treats and baked bliss and they tell others about me.
The number one question I get is – do you do logo cookies? Yes! The second question I get is – do you deliver? Yes! And the third most common question – where can I find you? Follow me on Facebook to see my events and happenings including pop-up bakery locations.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t do anything differently. Sure, I look back, assess and apply learnings, but my platform’s worked. Because I don’t have a storefront, I partner with other small businesses in town. They host me for pop-up bakery days, allow me to use their space for workshops, to sell product and to host to events. I always kid that I have the best co-workers, but it’s true. The small business community in Terrell works well together and we support one another.
Whisked Away Bake House has a lot to look forward to – I’m expanding my footprint at The Hilltop Cottage in Sunnyvale, the Ultimate Cookie Sundae can be found at Tiger Ice in Terrell, I’m about to get the green light on a gallery/consultation studio in historic downtown Terrell, I have a booth at Day Dreamer’s Mini Mall filled with baked goods and light retail and I host pop-up bakery shops at Forney Trade Days. Come late summer I’ll be launching a local cookie and kolache delivery service, more frequent workshops, kid’s parties and decorating parties.
Contact Info:
- Address: 119 N. Frances, Terrell Texas 75161
by appointment - Website: http://www.whiskedawaybakehouse.com
- Phone: 952-484-3360
- Email: kristy@whiskedawaybakehouse.com
- Instagram: WhiskedAwayBakeHouse
- Facebook: @Whiskedawaybakehouse
Image Credit:
Dallas Cake Club at Cupcakes for a Cause
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