We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kari De Boer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kari below.
Kari, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.
Just under a year ago I was a stay at home mom whos whole life is her babies. Missing my creative outlet and craving being back in the kitchen, I decided to open a cottage bakery. A home bakery that was different than any other cottage bakery I have ever seen. I want people to know they are getting a high quality product, and so I spent months creating and perfecting recipes that were unique to me. Recipes that I could stand behind and that would keep people coming back. I decided to start with specializing in cupcakes, no cakes, no cookies. After I felt confident with the recipes and nailing down what to offer I moved to the arguably my favorite part, which is creating my brand. I wanted clean beautiful pictures that would attract people, and give them the same feel they would get at a bakery in town. I wanted exactly what you see to be what you get. Every cupcake to be picture perfect. For everyone who had a cupcake to have the same tasty experience time and time again. While searching for what I wanted for my brand I fell in love with Magnolias Silos Bakery. I love the way they look. They are simple, yet elegant and could work in any setting. From there I created my version of a mini Silos Bakery. I felt like cupcakes could work perfect for what I wanted to do. Concentrating on larger events, and weddings. I hadn’t seen anyone doing JUST cupcakes in my area the way that I wanted to. I took my love for vintage goods and used them in my displays. It was a perfect mix of many things that I love, all from my home. I don’t have to leave my boys and they get to see their mom work and create, where I feel like I truly shine.
Kari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Kari. I am from a small town in Washington State called Tenino. Both my husband and I grew up here and we are now raising our boys here. We have a small what I call funny farm. With cows, chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs. When not in the kitchen you can find us outside, working in the garden or tending to the property. Years ago, before having a family, I was a baker out of a local café. I enjoyed it so much.. at first. But I was doing everything under the sun to make everyone else happy. I didn’t specialize in anything- but I did everything! Cakes, cake pops, cupcakes, really you name it and I would make it happen. It got to be so much on me that it was taking the joy away. I was creating other peoples visions and not my own. I was loosing money because I was trying so hard to make others happy. To nervous to ask for what my work was worth I decided to close shop and take a break. Knowing I loved baking and that I would probably come back to it at some point.
After starting my cottage bakery just under a year ago, And nailing down what I wanted to offer and specialize in, I spent all my spare time creating. Creating content, looking up how to get my name out there and networking. And through networking I have got to work and become friends with some other amazing creatives. This cupcake business is so much more than that to me! Being a part of special events for all occasions is such a special feeling. I truly love every one of my customers!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When I first started my other baking business my biggest problem was I was told ‘Make sure the customer is always happy’. Well I took that too seriously to the point that I simply wasn’t making money. I was unhappy and spreading myself too thin. This time around I knew for this business to work, I had to create boundaries. What I offer is all that I would offer and nothing more. My biggest advice to bakers starting out, is to know and understand that not every customer is your customer. To not let making the customer always happy run your business. Know that it is okay to say “Sorry I don’t offer that” and be fine with them passing, If you put yourself out there to be seen the way that you want to be seen, you will attract the right customers.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
After studying what I wanted for my branding I spent a lot of time creating the look. I paid an artist to design my logo that is unique to me. I made and took styled pictures for my socials, and then I networked! Make sure that you are connecting with locals in places where you want to be. Find local networking meetings, and put yourself out there. As a home baker I want my pictures to let people know that my home is clean and welcoming. I want them to be confident eating from my home, and coming back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.bakesy.app/b/wanderlust-cupcake-co?fbclid=IwAR1tKu4hQBvGy9il3Ra8pTHca2vyaKwimOGdKu1LbsFttiX0R0wZEzFUeek
- Instagram: wanderlustcupcakeco
- Facebook: wanderlustcupcakeco
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wanderlust-cupcake-tenino-2
Image Credits
iola jade images, wildling moments.