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

Raina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

To break the ice, I’m legaly blind. Running a small business is hard, but doing it while working with only one barely functioning eye is a whole different ball game. I’ve learned a lot since starting Crumbs To Crystals Bakery. From adapting to baking techniques to all of the behind the scenes business things. I want to show everyone that people with disabilities can be successful too!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started Crumbs To Crystals Bakery after I unexpectedly lost my job back in March of 2023. I started baking to keep myself sane while going through a rough patch in life. I shared my treats with friends and family and I was encouraged to start selling them! So I decided why not? This adventure has taught me so much in the short time I’ve been on it. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had my ups and downs. As all new busuness owners do.

However I believe I’ve found my specialty! I make stuffed cookies! They’re super soft and thick cookies that are stuffed with a variety of things from buttercream, pie fillings, hot fudge, oreos and so much more. My customers love them and I’m happy to be offering something fun and unique.

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

It would be so easy to sit back and say “well I’m blind. I can’t do anything.” But you know what? That’d be pretty boring of a life. There’s blind brain surgeons out there so you know what I’m going to be a blind baker! It’s hard don’t get me wrong. I’ve had to learn new ways of doing things. I’ve had to accept that I’m much slower at doing things than my fully sighted friends. So I’ve had to get better at time management. I’ve had to order special measuring cups so I can see. I have to watch what events I vend at because of my transportation needs. But I wouldn’t trade any of it! I love what I do and I love proving society wrong! People with disabilities belong here. We can be successful too! We’ll just have to do thing a little differently

How’d you meet your business partner?

While I do most of this myself. I wouldn’t have made it anywhere near where I am now without my amazing friends and family. From helping me with packaging to driving me to my events. I appreciate anyone who’s ever helped me out through this. They say it takes a village to raise kids. I think it takes one to Start a small business too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bakesy.shop/b/crumbs-to-crystals-bakery?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYNT9E1dhIBiEDsgxKpHxyHu_V7RJ2zOItMyzmphT1ujyfxSovA6IoocPo_aem_AZUQWcxNAsuLlOM2mJGvpGtymuSY-OVAz4ZKCEfG4dOF2LEeiTAwu8DmhyTtZMFjmG65jzRiOHhnF8QdF767wO9l
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090376136776&mibextid=ZbWKwL