We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kayty Pryor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kayty below.

Kayty, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

When you finally take the leap and start your business, it was probably backed with a lot of “you’re so good at that, you should sell it!” Or “Omg I would so buy that from you.” These are just a couple examples of friends and family supporting your ideas before. But now, are they still as friendly and supporting?

It’s a fine line when it comes to relationships and business. You always want to give them the “family discount” but do margins actually allow you to? Not when you’re a start up small business. Some are more understanding than others, some won’t even ask. But the stigma is there because corporate markets the friend and family sales and discounts for box stores and name brands. We love you and love that you love our creations and want to support our business, but would you haggle anyone else offering the same product in a store?

With social media being the number one outlet for marketing and advertising your family and friends are already the base of that support. Will they share your weekly post or your events you’re attending for your business? Don’t always count on it. The idea seems simple, it’s just a click or two. So why is hard to gain the support of the people you’ve known your whole life? It makes you wonder if you’re that annoying click-bait post or if what you’re doing isn’t actually a big deal at all. Which, it’s not for everyone. I understand not everyone I know loves cakes or baked goods. But what harm is it sharing a post or following our pages? What harm is it for you to suggest us to your friends and family and not expect a discount because you know the owner. Nevertheless, don’t base your audience on solely friends and family. Market research and advertising are still a necessity for your small business to succeed.

I love my family and friends, and they ARE one of my biggest supporters. I couldn’t be more thankful for the encouragement, orders, and all the kinds of support they bring me.

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

My names Kaytlyn, they call me Kayty. I grew up with a big family and the one thing my mother always made sure of was that each kid got a special cake for their birthday. It wasn’t just pick your favorite flavors, it was more of what theme and design do you want. Sometimes it was a surprise all in all, which just made it that more special. My grandmother use to tell us that a birthday cake was the only thing they got for birthdays, being one of eleven. Birthday’s specifically have always been a favorite of mine. Growing up it wasn’t just the birthdays though, every holiday was special. The decorations, the food and desserts, the whole family gathered and celebrating. The atmosphere was always warm and inviting, you would dread when the time came to an end. These were some of the happiest times of my life.

I believe this led me to want to create special, affordable desserts for everyone. No matter the amount of money you have, you should be able feel special and celebrated on your birthday. Holidays are made for a time of joyous celebrating with your favorite people. What makes that better than something sweet!

I started hobby baking and cooking as I got older. It began with making my family’s birthday cakes. THIS was a big deal, taking over my moms favorite job. Then it moved onto forcing (not really) my friends to eat by cooking. The love and support they provided me before I started my business makes them the real MVPs. My first orders were from friends, family, old teachers, and more!

This is when I decided this could be more. This could be a brand, a safe place for anyone with a creative idea they wanted see come to life. I think the bakery industry is underrated. You see the famous wedding cakes or the shows like Buddy’s Bakery and think, oh my gosh I could never, not me. It motivated me more. I’d be watching the bake off shows and tell my spouse, “I can totally make that!” He’d say, “then do it.” His undetermined support is most definitely what got me started. Working a full time job, I didn’t think I’d have the time. I am beyond grateful I took the leap.

One I did decide it was time, I did a lot research on Michigan Laws. I knew I couldn’t afford a Store Front and it wasn’t the time to take out a business loan. Thankfully, Michigan has Cottage Food Laws. I had never heard of this before, ever. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I could make, bake and sell anything that doesn’t have to be temperature regulated out of my house. There are limits but they allow me to make cakes, baked good desserts like cupcakes, mini pies, and more. I’ve had the pleasure of making cakes for 1st birthdays all the way up to 90th birthdays. I’ve made desserts for gender reveals, engagements, weddings, all stages of life for all kinds of people. The joy it brings to me to be included and asked to be apart of celebrations for all stages of life, is a true dream. It’s beyond fulfilling and truly my pleasure.

The next goal is FOOD. Not just baked goods, like hot food. I love to cook! I’ve had the pleasure of being booked for catering events this year and it confirms that I’m on the right path. The craft of cooking is endless. Food is essential for life and that will never go away. People will never not be hungry or not need food. But that also means the competition and market is VERY saturated. But the challenge is one I’m determined to accomplish. I want to offer affordable food, that’s unique in the way it’s delivered, and accessible to everyone. One the ways I want to offer this is a food truck. I’ve picked out a mock name, menu and more. I’ve researched for endless hours, know the regulations and licensing, it’s just a question of timing and funding.

I’ve been brainstorming my dreams more and more everyday. I think ideally, the end goal would be to own a Wedding Venue. Offering indoor and outdoor spaces eliminating the off season we have in Michigan due to the snow. A venue that has a full commercial kitchen in to to offer the most versatile catering package. This would allow me to indulge in the full spectrum the wedding industry has to offer. Coordinating, decorating, food and dessert, and most importantly still being able to fulfill anyones creative dream that needs to come to life.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Cottage Food Laws don’t allow you to sell Ecommerce. So how do I still make it as convenient for customers to buy my products? Cover all social media platforms and payment options.

This allows for all levels of communication not matter the age or technical ability. If the conversation can still happen on a site or platform and doesn’t have to be a phone call or in person, you’re going to be more prone to people reaching out. I created a website. This was my first goal to be able to offer a spot with everything in it to anyone, including the ones that don’t use social media. No need to login or have credentials to remember. Here the customer can submit a quote for review, scroll through previous made creations, and find multiple menu’s with distinct pricing options. Anything submitted from my site emails me directly with all the information I requested to be able to fulfill their order.

Secondly is social media. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat. These all you to keep update, day to day, information and any changing important details customers may be looking for. All of these options allow you to message directly, input pictures for reference or upload your own personal work. The amount of communication that happens here is optimal for ordering custom anything. When ordering something custom it’s not as simple as getting on amazon and choosing which design you’d like. The flavors, colors, themes and more are involved and have to be communicated. If it wasn’t important, they’d go to the cooler section in the bakery or store and pick out something not custom, pre-made.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been markets and events. Here in Michigan we have a lot of Farmer Markets that depend on the season. This is great for holiday times, supporting local school fundraiser and more! All of the people attending are local, from that area. The more you make your presence the more people start to recognize your signage or your booth. They start to recognize YOU! Make the small talk, hand out samples, give them a business card every time you see them. Yes you. know they have one, but maybe their sister doesn’t or their best friend and now they have an extra to give away.

Be present in your local communities. Word of mouth is still and I believe, will always be the greatest sources of marking and advertising.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kaytyskitchen.com
• Instagram: @inkaytyskitchen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaytysKitchen/