We were lucky to catch up with Katrina Sluder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Katrina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?
We have done a few different things for our customers, last year in 2025 we handed out 100 Easter baskets at Easter, over 50 backpacks full of school. Supplies, we also sponsored a local family to cover the whole cost, at Halloween we gave out over 300 bags of treats, at thanksgiving we collected and handed out not only over 80 cooked plates of food between house guest invited but plates at the bakery we also handed out over 100 boxes of Thanksgiving turkeys and sides and desserts , enough food for over 2000 people, then at Christmas my husband and I sponsored 18 kids Christmas lists and we also ran a toy drive and were able to give toys out to almost 300 kids, this year 2026 we did a sponsor program for 5 schools to pay for every student in the school a special valentines so no one was left out! And currently we are putting together things to hopefully hand out another 100-150 free Easter baskets to family’s and a Easter egg hunt
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started this baking business in 2017 as a single mom to my oldest daughter, I was in the military still and working as a corrections officer, but I also had a house payment and debt I wanted paid off before she arrived. So I started small making candles and eventually added baked items like apple butter, banana bread , zuccchini bread and realized it was more than a hobby but a passion so I started adding even more baked goods, I taught myself everything I know , I now offer catering for weddings and big events, cakes, pretty well any baked good, sourdough items, canned salsa, pickles, jelly’s, and so much more! I’m on year 9 now a mom of 6 and married to my husband of 5 years! We went from strictly home based to now operating a small local bakery that is self serve so I can also focus on my family and caring for my children. I am so proud of how far we have came, I started this at a local pumpkin patch as a weekend vendor in the fall and now it’s one of the main income sources for my family. We have been blessed 10 fold and we owe it all to God. Hard work and determination, long nights and tears have gotten me here and it’s just the start!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
For four years I tried so hard to get a brick and mortar and God just kept telling me it wasn’t time and I would get pushed back over and over again. It was to the point of almost walking away from my business, until last march I prayed on it and decided to take a leap of faith and started a small farm stand until I could put a small portable building in place, by August of last year we were able to have a grand opening and if it wasn’t for determination and reevaluation of my business I couldn’t and wouldn’t be here
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Everything I have is thanks to my friend Ron who helped when I couldn’t help myself. If it wasn’t for his constant support, and picking up the pieces where I didn’t have a leg to stand on at the beginning I would not be here . Ron helped financially for the first couple of years when I couldn’t do it. He also helped set up and tear down at almost every single event for the first 3 years. Today I am able to fund myself and my business. But if it wasn’t for his help in the beginning I wouldn’t be here. So thank you Ron for everything
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Image Credits
Creekside images by Kristy