We recently connected with Gabriella And Christian Soto and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriella and Christian , appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

We feel both grateful and slightly uncomfortable asking our friends and family to support our business. On one hand, they’re the people who know us best, and we value their support. On the other hand, we don’t want to impose on them or risk straining our relationship if things don’t go as planned.

We think it’s appropriate to ask for encouragement, advice, or help with networking. It’s a bit trickier when it comes to financial contributions. We would hesitate to ask for money unless we are confident in our business plan and ability to repay, as that adds a layer of pressure to the relationship.

The line for us is when asking for support becomes a burden on them. WE wouldn’t ask family for large investments or loans unless there’s a clear, mutually agreed-upon plan. We also wouldn’t want them to feel obligated to support us just because we’re family.

For example, there was a time when we had a big event coming up and needed to finalize a large order in a short amount of time. We asked our family and friends to help with packaging and labeling all the items. It was a huge help, and we all pitched in together. It was a bit of a balancing act—while it was great to have that support, we were mindful of not overburdening them, and we made sure to express our gratitude. It really reinforced for us that there are moments when asking for help can strengthen bonds, but it’s important to respect their time and energy.

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 BakeOff, we’re a small, passionate team driven by the idea that cookies should be more than just a treat—they should be an experience. Our business is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife duo. Gabriella (the baker) has always had a deep love for baking, spending years perfecting recipes and experimenting with new flavors. Christian (the engineer) has a background in innovation and technology, and together, we decided to merge our talents in a way that brings something truly unique to the world of baking.

We offer a one-of-a-kind service that lets customers design their dream cookies from scratch. At BakeOff, you can choose your base dough, customize your mix-ins, and even select your favorite toppings. What sets us apart is our ability to take it a step further—thanks to cutting-edge cookie printing technology, we can personalize each cookie with custom designs and messages, making them the perfect gift, party favor, or personal indulgence.

Our goal is to solve the challenge of finding the perfect, personalized treat for every occasion. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, corporate event, or just a special moment, our cookies are made to match the occasion. We help our clients bring their visions to life by offering unlimited creativity and customization. You’re not just ordering cookies; you’re creating a work of art that’s both delicious and memorable.

What we are most proud of is the way we’ve combined the artistry of baking with modern technology to offer something completely new and fun. Our customers have a blast designing their cookies, and we love seeing their reactions when they see their creations come to life. It’s the little moments of joy we create that really keep us going.

The key thing we want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that BakeOff is more than just a cookie business—we’re about turning your sweetest ideas into reality. We believe in pushing the boundaries of what a cookie can be, and we’re committed to making every bite an unforgettable experience. No matter the occasion, we’re here to make it special, one cookie at a time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really showcases our resilience as a couple and as a business happened during one of our very first big events. We were both super excited to launch our cookie printing service at a local fair. We had everything planned out, from the dough to the designs, and we were ready to wow everyone with our personalized cookies. But then—just hours before the event—we ran into a major problem: the cookie printer decided to take a nap! The machine wouldn’t work, and we were stuck staring at each other, thinking, “What now?”

Instead of freaking out (okay, maybe just a little), we put our heads together and got to work. My husband, the tech genius, immediately dove into troubleshooting mode. I, on the other hand, threw on my apron and started baking like a woman on a mission. While he was knee-deep in wires and software, I was over here perfecting dough and making sure our custom designs were ready to go. It was a hilarious, chaotic scene—me baking cookies in the kitchen, him with his face buried in a machine trying to fix it. But through all the stress, we kept cheering each other on. He’d pop his head into the kitchen with a thumbs-up, and I’d give him a quick hug, saying, “You’ve got this!”

After a couple hours, the machine was working again (thankfully!), and we were able to show up at the event, cookies in hand, ready to roll. It was such a rush—seeing our vision come to life, knowing that we’d both worked so hard to make it happen. It was a reminder that, no matter what curveballs come our way, we’ve got each other’s backs. Our resilience as a couple is one of the things that makes BakeOff special. We’re in this together, and we know we can handle whatever comes next, as long as we keep supporting each other along the way.

That experience definitely shaped our approach to the business—it taught us that challenges are just part of the fun. And now, every time something unexpected happens, we just look at each other and say, “Well, we’ve survived the cookie printer disaster, we can handle anything!” It’s those moments that keep us going and make our business journey all the more memorable.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for us has definitely been attending farmers markets and holiday events. There’s something truly magical about being able to meet people face-to-face and let them experience our cookies in person. Sure, social media is great for showing off pictures of our delicious creations, but there’s nothing like seeing the sparkle in someone’s eye when they bite into one of our custom cookies.

It’s also the perfect opportunity for us to show the passion we have for our business. When you’re standing behind a booth with a big smile, handing out freshly baked cookies and talking about how much we love what we do, it’s contagious! We get to share our excitement, and it makes all the difference in connecting with people. We’ve found that when customers see how much we care about the product, they’re way more likely to want to take a bite (and maybe even buy a dozen or two!).

There’s something special about being part of those community events, too. Whether it’s a holiday fair or a Saturday morning market, we’ve made so many great connections, and it’s always fun to see our regulars come back for their favorite cookie. Honestly, the combination of showcasing our product with a huge smile and a personal touch has been a game changer for building relationships with new clients—and making them feel like part of the BakeOff family!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bakeoff.store
• Instagram: bakeoff.denver
• Facebook: bakeoff.denver
• Other: TikTok: bakeoff.denver