We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keisha Alicea a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Keisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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?

In the beginning of my Career as a cookie artist, the support of my friends and family was basically my main connection to getting future orders. They were going to be my first employees even if the didn’t know it yet 😅. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends and family members that did not ask for a discount or for any free product. They actually helped me by purchasing and telling their friends all about The Gentile Baker. It fills my heart with Joy even up to this day because that shows me how much they believe in me and my business.

Keisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

A little about The Gentile Baker. For many years I have worked for Corporate America and became an expert at Customer Service. I loved it so much, however, It wasn’t until September 2020 that I began to notice my mental health decline because of all the more “work” I had and less attention I gave myself as well as my family. It was then that I decided to stop working and focus on myself and what better way than to decorate cookies because, let’s be honest, we all know its super satisfying to watch decorate 😍. This hobby helped my mental health become healthier. I began to be present for not only myself, but my four children, my husband, and those around me. It felt so good to be the me I once was. I was only doing decorated cookies for a few weeks when family and friends told me to launch and begin to sell them. I didn’t want to make this into a business because I didn’t want to fail and also, I just thought there was no money in this ( boy was I wrong👀). So I decided to launch anyways. Began to take orders for Fall/Thanksgiving and to my surprise, people were so interested! I launched and said ” Well, maybe it was just for thanksgiving, but I’ll advertise Christmas to see”. Well, for the fall I did around 70 cookies, and for Christmas I did over 150! It was then I knew this has to be my business. I love it, I release stress, and people really love them! I’d be crazy if I don’t.

Ever since, I have not looked back. I’m so grateful to God because he put this opportunity in my life and he guided each step. Even sending me clients from places I never advertised to. I’m also grateful for my clients who have gone through the journey with me, from cookies that may have looked lopsided, to cookies that look completely beautiful. One thing is for sure, I can say I am proud that I always wanted to focus on the taste and flavor before the decor. Mainly because I have tried sugar cookies in the past and always thought they should be softer to the bite and taste GOOD! And if you ask my clients they will tell you, Cookies are beautiful, but the taste, Chefs kiss 😘. I guarantee this since each cookie is individually wrapped and heat sealed.

I want each potential client to know that The Gentile Baker was made out of Joy and Love. And because of that I am able to do the best on each order. I want each client to feel that from beginning to end it was a breeze. From the beginning when they place the order, to the in between with the questions they may have about details, to the end when they receive their order. This is what will bring them back. The fact that they did little to no effort in the process and be satisfied about it all.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Something I’ve had to unlearn has been “You must maintain the same clients from the beginning”. There is some truth to that sentence. I’ve had clients who have been with me from day one. But others who have gone. And I have learned that is okay. Not every inquiry is a client. A potential client yes, but not a client. I can respect when someone replies to my quote with a response saying they can’t at the time. Why? because I’m not in their budget. AND THAT IS OKAY! 😊. I try to even send them to another cookie artist that may fit their budget. Is this sending clients away? Yes.. and no. Yes because, again, I don’t fit their budget, and no because, at the end this client will see that how I treated them was more helpful and I leave the door open for a future client.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

As much as I enjoy social media and all the avenues of marketing it provides, I hands down will say that the best source of new clients is word of mouth! I can’t tell you the number of times people reach out to me and begin the convo by saying ” I tried your cookies at this party” or “My friend told me about you”. It has got be my favorite marketing because 1) I didn’t spend money 🥳 and 2) it’s an honest referral.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shop.castiron.me/thegentilebaker?uo2FgJwXVwg6LA2it1FcY=true
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegentilebaker/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegentilebaker/