Hidden Gems: Meet Alonso Navarro of Beary Good Bakery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alonso Navarro.

Hi Alonso, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started baking to find some type of relief for my anxiety. I found out that baking was more than a “fun activity” for me but more therapeutic. When I was in the middle of an anxiety attack, I walked into my kitchen and started grabbing every ingredient that I saw. I started throwing them into a bowl and mixing them up. My mind was so preoccupied with what I was trying to make that it helped me forget about everything else, and my anxiety subsided. Personally, baking is also a very helpful way to express my feelings since I am not very good at expressing myself. It’s a way for me to express my feelings as a thank you, appreciation, or sympathy through baked goods. It’s been quite a journey for me. I moved to Kansas City last year in the middle of the pandemic. Growing a business it’s hard, but growing it in the middle of a pandemic that takes more than hard work. It takes consistency, hard work, passion for what you do and lots of nights without sleeping. Beary Good Bakery before was nowhere close to what it is now. I have grown so much and all of this is because of everyone who has been so supportive: friends, family and customers. The love and support it’s been overwhelmed and I am really grateful for it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road at all. When I started Beary Good Bakery in 2019. One of the struggles at the beginning was pricing. Trying to compete with other bakers or other big chains or retail stores was very difficult. But I realize I can not compete with them and offer the same prices like they do. I realize I had to stick to my quality, style and uniqueness. And that will be the only way to go up. After a year, the pandemic hit and I decided to move to Kansas City. When you are in a middle of a pandemic and when your business it’s all about gatherings, friends, weddings, events, etc. it was very hard. But I have to say I am very grateful how people received me and supported me. Even with small orders, it meant a lot to me. I knew it wasn’t much but I still put all my effort and hard work to make it special for every single of my customers. And finally, time management. I had to be very organized. It’s a one person business. Organization was very important for me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I do a variety of desserts from: baked donuts, macarons, buttercream cakes, cakesickes and cupcakes.

I specialize on cakes with buttercream. I do all types of cakes for weddings, birthdays, themed cakes, baby showers, smash cakes, etc.

My Swiss meringue buttercream it’s been always a hit. It’s completely different than a normal American buttercream. Less sweet, silky, smooth, and super delicious.

I believe there is a few things that set me apart from other bakers or bakeries. First, I do not cover my cakes in fondant. Personally, for me fondant doesn’t taste very well. I do use it to make little decorations. I have seen a lot of places, they use fondant as a main decoration., but it’s not my style to do it like that. It takes a way a little bit the taste of the cake. Also, I always tell my customers when they send me some photos, I do not copy work from other bakers or bakeries. I do use the photos as an inspiration to come up with an original idea.

I will just tell a little piece of advice to people who is starting a business or everyone in general. Do not get hung up on social media and never try to compare yourself or your work with other people. We all are unique and have different skills. Just have fun doing what you love and sharing it with your loved ones.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family. Been so far away from them made me realize how much I love them and I appreciate them. I do not get to see them often at all because they are in another country. But when I do, I try to make the most of it. Family will always be there for you. My parents, they raise me and I am the person who. I am today because of them and I am very grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.bearygoodbakery.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bearygoodbakery
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bearygoodbakery1/