Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Cromeans.
Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had an interest in baking. Never to the point of being a baker, but I was always in awe of what professionals in this industry can create from something completely edible. I always binged watched all of the baking shows on tv, had a million saved recipes for bakes on Pinterest, and wanted gorgeous but also delicious baked goods on my event dessert tables. These were the only ways baking and desserts had been present in my life.
So how did I go from just being like any other person saying “that’s so cool, I wish I could do that?” The start of that journey happened in 2016. I was a Sonographer at the time, still fairly early into my career. I dove in fast and hard to that career right out of school in 2015 and I suffered MAJOR burnout and daily pain. After only 1.5 years! So when my husband and I suffered a miscarriage shortly after we married that fall, I couldn’t fathom returning to work. Not only was I already burned out, but I was suffering now emotionally in a way I hadn’t ever experienced. That, along with the fact that part of my job was scanning expecting mothers, just left me feeling like it was not the time for me to be there. I couldn’t care for others the way I think you should in a healthcare career. So, long story short, I made the best decision for my family in that moment, and that was to work only as a PRN Sonographer, heal, and work on growing our family.
From there, we grew our family of three by two in less than two years, so returning to work outside of the home really wasn’t an option for me anymore. But I was missing something. I have always been fulfilled by helping others, and I couldn’t do that now financially. I decided I needed to find something I enjoy doing again, aside from being a mom. It needed to bring happiness in some way to others though. So I decided I would finally use this opportunity to learn how to bake! I went in headfirst (if you can’t tell, if I decide I want something, I go all in). Took a class on cookie decorating, learned from a few lessons with a family friend, and that was it. I was hooked. I knew it was just as enjoyable as I always thought it would be for me. I love the science behind baking, recipe testing, learning what flavors compliment each other to create a pleasing dessert experience, and most of all I loved learning that I had an artistic skill where I haven’t ever really had one. I could create something artistic from my hands that someone could eat! And bonus, it brought a huge smile to people’s faces as it provided something special to the recipient’s life event, This decision to learn baking to opening as a cottage home bakery happened in the span of four months. I opened for business with my first sale on Father’s Day 2020. With a brand new baby and not even a two years old, haha! I see now I was a little crazy for taking all that on. The rest is history, I guess! From that day forward, I haven’t stopped baking, I’ve officially established my home bakery as an LLC, and I’ve expanded from decorated cookies to cupcakes and cakes, and still use every (small) opportunity to learn new recipes and challenge my skills.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. It has been one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my life. One of two biggest struggles was COVID-19. It shut the world down right as I was beginning this journey. I initially wanted to do all of the things, soak up everything I could learn, perfect my skill, and have enjoyment from just creating. But then it turned into something I need to do out of necessity. My husband’s job was greatly affected. I needed to do this fully as a business now. I needed to earn money to help my family. This took away a lot of the opportunity for me to learn as much as I wanted from the start. It’s very difficult to bake and decorate for a wage and still have time to be a student in the baking world.
The other struggle was having to do this as a business while also being a stay-at-home-mom with two under two and an older child who is in a completely different stage of life than them. I’m sure as many learned when everyone was forced to work from home, it is near impossible to do with (young) children at home with you. That has been my biggest struggle. Learning to balance the time, accepting that I cannot do it all, and still continuing to grow as a business and baker.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is a cottage home bakery. I specialize in custom-decorated sugar cookies but offer a variety of baked goods that include cupcakes and cakes. I also just recently purchased an edible direct-to-food printer that prints right onto my iced cookies, so it is a great tool for businesses, logos, and large events. I think what sets me apart from others is that I put everything I have into every order. I am extremely detailed when it comes to my baked goods, from the decorations to the taste. I have a high expectations of myself and can’t send out something I can’t stand behind. I am also relatable to my customers! Many of my customers have become my friends. I even have some customers that show up with a coffee for me without even asking, haha! I think showing my customers I’m just another mom, wife, everyday person shows that I do this from a place of enjoyment, not just for a wage. I also like to think and hope my baked goods are delicious, not just pretty!
I am most proud of where I am at today with my business, given my current stage of life. It takes hard work and grind every single day (and night) to run a business from home with children. I could not do this without the major support of my family, especially my mother who helps behind-the-scenes. I would love readers to just know what I said above about my business and my work ethic, but also that baking and decorating is hard work and very time-consuming. I personally book about 6-8 weeks in advance, so it’s never too early to reach out and plan your events desserts.
Any big plans?
In the future, I dream of being able to stand out with the best bakers. For someone to look at a picture or take a bite of a baked good and know it’s mine. I dream of owning a brick-and-mortar bakery on Buda’s Main Street. Or at the very least, to be able to rent a commercial space nearby so I can provide to more people. I want to be a place where people can come for conversations, celebrations, and delicious beautiful desserts! Maybe once I don’t have two toddlers at home anymore though!
Pricing:
- Custom Cookies $48-$72+ per dozen
- Cakes starting at $60
- Cupcakes starting at $24 per dozen
- Printed Cookies starting at $36 per dozen
- Cookie Cakes starting at $40
Contact Info:
- Email: budafullybaked@gmail.com
- Website: www.budafullybaked.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/budafullybaked
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/budafullybaked
Image Credits
All images by Brittany Cromeans
