We were lucky to catch up with Kaitlyn Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kaitlyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My very first order after launching my business in November 2023 remains the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. A mom reached out requesting cookies for her daughter’s upcoming 8th birthday. We worked out the details and talked about exactly what she wanted. Her only wish was that her daughter would love them.

During our conversation, she shared that she was battling serious health concerns and was often in and out of the hospital. She had been given a short amount of time to live and was trying to make sure her daughter had the best birthday possible, especially if things progressed and she wasn’t there to see it.

The day before the cookie pickup, I received a call from an unknown number. I usually let those go to voicemail, but for some reason, I answered.

A woman on the phone explained that the mom hadn’t made it and that she was calling to take care of the details for the cookie pickup the next day. As a mom, my heart shattered for that little girl and her family.

I rushed home from the store and poured my entire heart into that set of cookies. Every extra detail I could think of, I added. I cried as I worked through it. I felt like I owed this incredible mom something for all she had done for her family. In some small way, it felt like I could show her daughter how much her mom loved her and how far she went to make her day special. It was likely one of the last wishes this mom had for her daughter, and I wanted to make sure it was worthy of that.

The next day, when pickup time came, a couple of women stopped by to collect the order. I handed over the cookies with tears in my eyes and a handwritten note for the daughter and their family.

I think about that mom and daughter often. She was very open about her journey with cancer. Since I collect order requests on Google Docs, her order is still at the very top of the list. It’s a stark reminder that what I do can be so meaningful. Through my art, I get to help people celebrate both the joyful and the difficult moments in life.

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

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn, owner and cookie artist for my little home business, Beechmount Bakery, located in Portage, Michigan. I began my journey with decorated sugar cookies 5 years ago for my son’s first birthday . We were in the middle of the pandemic and I was lost to motherhood and being a Stay at Home Mom. I was craving a hobby for the new chapter of my life. I am self-taught and used all of the blogs, videos, and TikToks to start out. From there, a lot of trial and error went into crafting the perfect cookie.

I specialize in decorated sugar cookies and cookie cakes. My bread and butter is working with moms to plan celebrations for their littles, big kids, families, showers, weddings. I also work closely with big brands and colleges in the area for different sports and corporate events. I provide fundraisers for local preschools to help support our youngest learners in the community. I especially love when I can combine my former love of teaching with cookies by teaching cookie decorating classes.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’m a former kindergarten and first grade teacher. When I had my first son in early 2020, I experienced some serious medical complications and was septic in the hospital for a couple of weeks. That experience put life and family into sharp perspective, and my husband and I decided it was best for me to stay home with our newborn.

For a couple of years, I taught English online while figuring out what running a bakery could look like. At first, baking was just a hobby; I thought I’d make treats for our family parties. But the more I shared online, the more requests I started getting for cookies. Eventually, I reached a point where I turned to my husband and said, “Okay, I’m ready to launch.” He was incredibly excited and supportive of this big change for our family.

Starting the bakery has been a perfect fit. It allows me to stay home with my kids while they’re young and plan our days around what works best for our family. Now that my oldest is in kindergarten and my youngest is in preschool, I’m able to volunteer at their schools and be as involved as possible in their education.

And the silver lining? Teaching cookie decorating classes gives me that same spark I loved about teaching in the classroom. In a way, I’ve found a beautiful blend of my passions: creating, teaching, and spending every day with my family.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve always had a knack for seeing things from a business perspective. My husband likes to joke that I turn every hobby into a job. And honestly, it’s true. I loved volunteering in classrooms as a teenager, so I became a teacher. I loved watching House Hunters and interior design shows, so I tried my hand in real estate. I liked Thirty-One bags, so I became a Thirty-One Bag Lady. All of these experiences have shown me that I’ve always been drawn to running my own business.

When I started building my bakery, my family and friends on social media were my first cheerleaders. They supported my work, gave feedback, and shared my cookie sets with people they know. My social media presence isn’t huge, but I value every single follower who chooses to engage with my business. Everything I’ve built has grown organically. A dollar spent with me stretches further than with a big corporation; it supports me, my boys, and my bakery.

My biggest advice for anyone starting out on social media is to find the platform that fits your vibe. For me, Facebook is where most of my cookie requests come from. Being part of Mom groups and local community groups has been invaluable. When someone needs cookies, my followers are quick to respond. It’s incredibly encouraging to see people confident enough to share your business and support what you do. Social media isn’t just about posting content, it’s about building a community that believes in you and what you offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://forms.gle/gxXqGpzGhTses7WK9
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beechmountbakery?igsh=MXBzdjBqMjUwY3hyNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/192sNGuv1A/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://linktr.ee/beechmountbakery

Image Credits

Alexandria Jayde Photography