We recently connected with Gerlyn Usi and have shared our conversation below.

Gerlyn, appreciate you joining 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.

Before starting the business, I was working in retail as a store manager. I was so over it one day and literally walked out. I was newly married and pregnant with my second child. My husband asked what my plan was and I had absolutely no idea. Randomly, someone had asked me if I can make a cake. I’ve baked before but never a cake. I said yes and the whole thing is history! After about 2 years we grew a huge following, fully booked with orders every single weekend, to the point we had to turn clients away. I was so in shock that I was able to turn some random cake into an actual business! As time passed, we got into farmers markets and pop ups.Unfortunately, after 8 years I was burnt out and decided I was done.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We specialized not only cakes and desserts but doing entire dessert tables and styling them. It added that extra wow factor to any event. And at the time it was the absolute must have at your wedding.

Now, of course with any business things change. What used to be popular isnt so much anymore. And we had to pivot. We still do cakes and desserts but weve focused our attention more on daily pastries and have our items in a few coffee shops.

And whats changed the most is that since re-opening, my son Juju has now joined the business. Its been a super fun experience so far!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

So, COVID. We were at the peak of our business then COVID happened. I was shaking thinking about how we were going to survive this. No more events, no more weddings, no more birthdays, It was crazy. Then our ube cheesecake cookies were born. It was something I created just because I was bored and we literally had nothing to do. Posted it on IG and and oh my god…they were selling like crazy. We had a whole contactless set up outside our house for pick up orders. People were even coming twice a day to get cookies. It was insane.

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

A lot of people were doubting if I could really bounce back and start another baking business after taking a 2 year hiatus. So many, “do you think you’ll get your clients back? How do you know you’ll do well? How are you going to get new clients? Everyone unfollowed you. There were so many bakers born from COVID, don’t you think its oversaturated?”. But deep inside, I believed in myself, I knew this is what I was meant to do and I knew I wasn’t done. I LOVE IT. It wasn’t something I could let go and I knew I wanted to show my son that you are the only one who can make things happen for yourself even if it seems impossible. If you really want something, you can 100% make it happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bake-haus.com
• Instagram: bakehaus.sd