We recently connected with Stefanie Haas and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stefanie, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I started my home bakery in January 2020. I toyed around with the idea of starting a bakery every few years but just didn’t for various reasons: I didn’t feel confident enough, my kids were little, I had no idea how to run a business, the list goes on. But in January 2020, I made a cake for my niece’s birthday party and people asked for my card. Well, I didn’t have a card. Because I didn’t have a business. I decided then that it was time.

As I began, I wondered why I didn’t start any sooner. But you see, before that day, I had been a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling my kids. Prior to staying at home, I had various jobs – behavior therapist, executive assistant, accountant’s receptionist. Homeschooling has definitely been the most challenging, but the best job I’ve ever had. And these jobs have helped shape me and have each given me skills that I use today for my business.

If I had started my bakery any sooner, it would not be the business that it is today. The bakery needed to wait until January of 2020. I would not have had the patience, the understanding, the willingness to bend that I do now. It’s not perfect, don’t get me wrong. This is still super challenging, and I have wanted to quit lots of times. But I also know this can be an amazing business that grows with me. It feels like one of my kids that I’m watching grow up. It’s incredible!

Stefanie, 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 Stefanie and I own Basic Batter. I create delicious, beautiful wedding cakes that are clean & organic. I also bake for those with dietary restrictions, such as vegan, gluten free, and sugar free. The heart behind my business is baking desserts for those who aren’t typically able to have them. Nothing brings me more joy than the face of someone who realizes my desserts are safe for them to eat. People who haven’t had cake in years, or who just really wanted a cookie that day, or the little kid who never had a birthday treat. It is beyond special! But I also love making wedding cakes for couples that are not only beautiful, but also delicious. Cake is not an obligation or tradition to just check off the Wedding To-Do list. It’s dessert that’s meant to be enjoyed.

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

Lesson Learned: Being busy does not equal being productive.

It feels like the American way is to keep your schedule full. If you aren’t busy, then you’re being lazy and unproductive. So keep yourself as busy as possible and that means you are living a successful life.

Well, there are plenty of things I can do with my job that can keep me busy. Social Media, Talking with new customers, Baking. But unless those things are producing money, then I’m not being productive in my business. I find that I can start toiling. Which feels busy, but it’s not being productive.

I’m learning how to be more efficient with my time and resources. I use what I have before I go buy the newest, latest, and greatest. I create a schedule for the week of what needs to be done and follow it because I’ve learned that writing things down really helps me be organized and reduces stress. So, I create To-Do lists, shopping lists, and write out what needs to be done line by line.

It’s hard to not fall back into the trap of busyness, but now my goal is efficiency and even finding time to do nothing at all.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I created my bakery, I did not have extra funds. I used what I had around the house and bought a few things to get me started. As orders came in, that money paid back what was spent. As the business grew, I opened a checking account. The first year was like going to school and any money I brought in was funding that schooling. I didn’t make anything. But I was able to pay myself back for what was spent, and then slowly I was able to stay even. Slowly that money started actually growing. Now year 3 into my business and I’m able to give myself a paycheck.

It’s been a long road, but so worth it!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.basicbatter.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/basicbatter
• Facebook: www.facebook.com//basicbatter
• Other: www.pinterest.com/basicbatter

Image Credits
Sarah Rivera