Today we’d like to introduce you to Keri Hayes.

Hi Keri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Sure! Before starting Get Baked Seattle I was a personal trainer. I was always on the look out for high-protein snacks that fit into a healthy lifestyle. But, I just couldn’t stand the taste of most protein treats on the market. They felt like a compromise between flavor and function. Get Baked Seattle started as a passion project. I have always had a deep love for baking, but I wanted to create something unique. I wanted a dessert with more substance and nutrients, not just empty calories. But, it needed to taste amazing and not like a protein bar. It took me countless hours in my kitchen to develop recipes that struck the perfect balance between gourmet flavors and high protein content.

We began selling to our clients right on our studio. What started as just baking for my clients grew into something so much bigger. The demand was so high I ended up transitioning to a full time baker, while my husband Greg was running our training studio.

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to be hands on with every aspect of the business, especially the recipes. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that everything we offer comes directly from my vision.

Our success in Seattle has been because we have stayed true to our mission. Offering something unique and authentic.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges have been some of the most rewarding parts of this journey. When I first started it was just me baking in my own kitchen, experimenting with recipes and juggling work as a PT. Making the move from fitness to baking full time was exciting, but totally intimidating. I had to learn everything from scaling up production to managing the business side of things.

One of the biggest struggles was to get people to trust that what I was creating didn’t taste like the protein snacks they had before. No aftertaste, no chemicals, no weird texture or smell. That we could create something that tasted great, fill you up and kept you full.

I had a lot of mistakes in baking. From ruining about 800 boxes of peanut butter cups 2 days before our launch on HSN. I didn’t sleep that night. I decided having a panic attack was not going to get this recipe right, so I reached out to a chocolate expert to explain what I was dealing with and he helped me and taught me how to properly temper chocolate. Since then I make a perfect cup every time! You can struggle and things aren’t always easy, but to be honest I have learned more from my mistakes than my successes. I just try not to let the mishaps get the better of me. Dust yourself off, get up and try again.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

We are a full service bakery specializing in protein packed desserts. We offer cookies, banana pudding, shakes and peanut butter cups all packed with protein. This is what sets us apart from other bakeries. We also ship nationwide and to Canada and have a lot of customers who order on a regular basis to have a more nutritious dessert.

Our business is run by me and my husband. We both started out as personal trainers. We wanted to create a better snacking experience. With our products, you will get full and stay full. Making over-eating almost impossible. It stops the cravings and you feel satisfied.

What were you like growing up?

I was the ultimate tomboy! I was born and spent the first 6 years living in downtown Detroit right next to Eastern Market. I spent most of my time with my dad, Arthur, who worked as the maintenance man for the co-op we lived in, while my mom, Joyce, worked as a secretary at General Motors downtown. My dad passed away when I was 6 and my mother ended up moving us to the suburbs. I hated it at fist, I was a city girl and now I found myself living on the dead end of a dirt road. Soon I made friends and my love for adventure came bursting out. I loved ice skating on the big pond in our wooded backyard, climbing trees, catching tadpoles and salamanders, playing kickball on our road with the other kids. Sports were a huge part of my life. I started little league in 3rd grade and went on to play in high school. It was the 80’s so of course I was into all the great music and for a brief moment I wanted to be Madonna :) My favorite movie was and is The Breakfast Club.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getbakedseattle.com
• Instagram: get_baked_seattle_cookie_shop
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568836084252

Image Credits

Melinda Hope Photography, LLC