We were lucky to catch up with Bailey Erickson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bailey, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

In November 2023, the organizer for a local Christkindlmarkt asked us to make our authentic Belgian Liege waffles for their market. They needed us to be present for five consecutive weekends. This opportunity entailed long hours and more man/womanpower than we currently have available. In addition, the market fees were high and the location was far from our location. Not wanting to give up this opportunity, I reached out to High Point Market, Decatur, AL; a local coffee market who we partner with. We provide them with bulk mix and they make our waffles fresh for their customers. They were excited about the offer and said it was the best business opportunity they’d been offered!

For five weeks, I manufactured and provided them with bulk mix as well as pre-packaged mixes for sale at the Christkindlmarkt. By Christmas, High Point had made close to 5000 of our waffles and sold hundreds of our mixes!

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.

At the beginning of the COVID outbreak in 2020, Bailey and her teenage daughter Alexis were looking for something meaningful to keep themselves busy while stuck at home. Bailey, an entrepreneur with other start up experience, wanted to teach Alexis how to take an idea for a business and turn it into a reality. Alexis was particularly fond of baking and they wanted their business to produce something that would make people happy. Having lived in Europe before moving to Madison Alabama, Bailey and Alexis were familiar with how an authentic Belgian Liege Waffle should look and taste. And they realized there was nobody else making and selling them in their community. They knew this was a perfect opportunity and began experimenting and perfecting their recipe until they had it just right. Others who sampled the waffles loved them! Bailey then coached Alexis through the process as she obtained all of the required business licenses, permits, tax ID, etc. and Wafel-Bitte (translation: Waffle Please) was born!. Although Alexis is now away serving in the United States Air Force, Bailey and a team of others continue to operate and grow the business and are now packaging the Belgian Liege Waffle Mix so customers can make them hot and fresh in their home.

Our waffles are different from American waffles in that the batter contains yeast, is thick like a brioche and contains imported Belgian Pearl Sugar. Inside the waffle maker, the Belgian Pearl sugar caramelizes inside and outside of the waffle providing a taste like no other waffle.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

We started Wafel-Bitte to teach my daughter business skills. She learned how to obtain a company name, form an LLC, look for locations to sell our waffles, market our product, etc. She will be able to use these skills throughout her life and that is a wonderful gift to give any young person.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

No business will support another business more than another small business. We need to help each other succeed by promoting each other on social media and word of mouth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wafelbitte.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wafelbitte/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WafelBitteLLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-erickson-4a7313121/
• Youtube: @wafelbittellc2952
• Other: Buy our product here: https://shops.wafelbitte.com/