We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Donna Parker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Donna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Blondy’s Baked Goods is born out of a passion for creating wholesome treats that cater to various dietary needs. As a certified health coach and a mother, I set out to make treats for my son that were both delicious and nourishing. What started as a quest to provide wholesome snacks for my family quickly turned into a beloved bakery for gluten and dairy-free enthusiasts alike.

My journey into the world of gluten and dairy-free baking wasn’t born out of a desire to own a bakery, but rather from a personal health struggle and a passion for holistic wellness. In my late teens, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, accompanied by a myriad of chronic health issues including fatigue, inflammation, and anxiety. Despite recommendations for a hysterectomy from my doctor, I knew that was wrong and that there had to be a better option. I chose to explore alternative healing methods.

Over 15 years ago, discussions about food allergies were scarce. It wasn’t until a friend, diagnosed with celiac disease, suggested I try going gluten-free that I began to see significant improvements in my health. This revelation sparked my interest in the connection between food and well-being. I decided to further educate myself and delved into holistic health coaching, discovering the transformative power of an anti-inflammatory diet and the potential to heal our bodies through nourishing foods.

While working as an aesthetician in a salon, I found myself frustrated by the lack of allergy-friendly options at the coffee shop next door. Dissatisfied with the sole gluten-free offering—a dry, full of sugar, tasteless pastry—I voiced my concerns to the owner. Little did I know, this casual complaint would set the stage for a major turning point.

Challenged by the coffee shop owner to provide a better alternative, I reluctantly shared my homemade Paleo cookies, initially crafted for my son and me. To my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive. After some market research, I discovered others desired healthy allergy-friendly baked goods. Encouraged by the demand, I took a leap of faith and secured a commercial kitchen, armed with nothing but my perfected cookie recipe.

With no branding or packaging, I began supplying my cookies to the coffee shop and quickly gained traction. Within the first year, my products were stocked in 10 grocery stores across Oregon and featured in over 25 coffee shops in Portland.

Driven by a deep-seated belief that everyone deserves access to delicious, nutritious baked goods, regardless of dietary restrictions, I expanded my reach. I sought out coffee shops willing to offer allergy-friendly options and directly engaged with consumers hungry for healthier alternatives.

My mission was clear: to fill the gap in the market by providing delicious, wholesome treats for individuals with food allergies. Fuelled by personal experience and a desire to shatter the misconception that gluten and dairy-free baked goods are bland, I embarked on a journey to bring joy to others through my creations. Even now, five years on, the act of sharing my baked goods with others continues to infuse my life with immense joy and serves as a driving force to sustain this business.

Donna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey started with a simple desire to share delicious treats that cater to everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. Living with a gluten allergy for over a decade has taught me to be a self-taught cook and baker specializing in dairy and gluten-free baking. This experience prepared me to handle my son inheriting the same intolerance. While disheartening, I found encouragement in knowing I could navigate this dietary landscape. However, it pained me to think of others who might lack the same experience. This drove me to ensure no one felt discouraged from giving up their favorite baked goods.

The search for gluten-free treats was a journey filled with disappointment. Too often, they were overly sweet, with textures that left much to be desired, and laden with ingredients I couldn’t stomach. Yet, one thing remained a constant craving—a simple pleasure I sorely missed: enjoying a delightful pastry with a steaming cup of coffee, shared in good company.

Driven by a passion for health and wellness as a certified health coach, I embarked on a mission to create something extraordinary—a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie that captured the essence of my favorite treats, sans the allergens.

What started as a quest to satisfy my son’s sweet tooth quickly blossomed into something much bigger. The moment my gluten-loving friends declared my cookies irresistible, I knew I was onto something special.

Now, Blondy’s Baked Goods isn’t just about meeting a need—it’s about spreading joy, one Blondy Bite or bag mix at a time. You’ll find our delectable treats gracing the counters of your favorite local coffee shops. And if you don’t see them there yet, don’t hesitate to ask! Because, as I’ve come to realize, good things are meant to be shared.

But our journey doesn’t end there. You can also bring a piece of Blondy’s joy into your kitchen with our baking mixes, available online or at one of our many local retailers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I wouldn’t be the person I am today, nor would I have this business or the drive to be an entrepreneur and share my story, if it weren’t for my journey with Jesus and my 9-year-old son. They both are the force behind my determination to keep moving forward in both life and business. My sons’ presence propels me to work hard and build a legacy in our lives, breaking generational chains and proving that despite life’s challenges, faith, God, community, and an unwavering desire to succeed can keep us going.

I’ve been a full-time single mom for eight years, navigating through the aftermath of a tough divorce when my son was just one. It was an immensely traumatizing period in my life. My husband struggled with addiction, something I was completely unaware of, and even after he returned from rehab, he couldn’t cope with being a husband and father, ultimately abandoning us and leaving us completely adrift and losing our home in the process. However, around that time, I found solace in my newfound faith and community at church.

On one hand, I felt broken, vulnerable, and utterly terrified about what our future held. On the other hand, I was resolute in not allowing this new reality to negatively impact my son. I reached out to our church community for support, asking for help in finding a home, despite having neither a job nor money for rent. Thankfully, friends from church came through, helping us secure a place to stay. We ended up moving into someone’s basement, where we shared a single bedroom and converted an ’80s bar into a makeshift kitchen with just a toaster oven and a hotplate. For 4.5 years, that basement was our home as I pieced my life back together. It was from that toaster oven that I launched my business.

A year after launching and successfully growing Blondy’s, my ex-husband passed away, plunging me into profound grief for the loss of our family and the realization that my son would never have his dad in his life. At that point, I felt a strong inner call to leave Oregon behind and seek out a community of like-minded individuals in a different state. It was a decision made with faith and determination, despite the uncertainty ahead.

I made the difficult choice to walk away from my skincare business and bakery, bid farewell to cherished friends and family, and embark on a journey to Tennessee. Despite never having set foot in the state before and not knowing a single soul there, I trusted that this was where the Lord was leading us.

Once again, I felt that familiar burning passion in my heart to provide healthy and delicious gluten- and dairy-free baked goods to my new hometown. With unwavering faith, I took yet another leap of faith and resurrected my passion and mission in this new chapter of life.

If I could launch a bakery from scratch with just a toaster oven, all while juggling the responsibilities of being a single mom and navigating through profound grief, then I’m confident you can pursue your dream business too. Your journey is unique and your passions are worth sharing. Believe in yourself, because the world is waiting to be inspired by your story and your creations.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’ve found that actively engaging with my community has been instrumental in expanding my customer base. By participating in local chambers, women in business groups, and attending community events and markets, I’ve been able to connect with people on a personal level. My passion for educating others about healthy eating and baking with food allergies has driven me to make a difference and fill a gap in our community with gluten-free baked goods.

Recognizing the need to reach beyond my immediate area, I decided to create a line of baking mixes. This pivot wasn’t just about expanding my reach; it was about empowering others to create delicious allergy-friendly baked goods in their own homes. Not only has this decision opened up new revenue streams for me, but it has also allowed me to work more efficiently and forge connections with new businesses in the area, ultimately strengthening my brand and contributing to its growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blondysbakedgoods.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/blondysbakedgoods
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/blondysbakedgoods

Image Credits
photos taken by Mikaela George on IG @mikaelageorgephotography