Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Boyd.
Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have baked for as long as I can remember. I have been in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. Raised in Louisiana by a caterer and an exceptional cook, some of my best childhood memories include The (Cajun) Holy Trinity, crawfish boils, and Sunday nights in the kitchen learning to cook. In 2014, I married a Kansas City man I met at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). I was uprooted from the South & placed in the Midwest, where I began my teaching career — seven years as a middle school math teacher. When I was on maternity leave with our second daughter, I wanted to decorate Valentine’s cookies with my then-two-year-old. I texted my hometown cookie lady and asked for sugar cookie tips and tricks. After a trip to Michaels, several Youtube videos, & some basic heart cookies later, I was hooked! After more research, more messes, & more sweets, the rest is history. Kind of. A few friends graciously asked me to make them cookies for various things. Over the next weeks, I forced many folks to try my cookies. I launched my Instagram page on March 1, 2021, and haven’t looked back. By then, I had decided to pause my 7-year-long teaching career to stay home with the girls. People simultaneously kept eating my cookies and kept entrusting me to bake sweets for their events. Weeks into Emmceebakes, I agreed to make dozens upon dozens (24) of cookies for a wedding and a 12-tiered cookie cake. I blinked, and 6-months had gone by in the cookie world. I blinked again and was full-on launching a website — just ten months after I dreamed of making Valentine’s sugar cookies with my little girl. It’s been two years in the baking business & life is so sweet.
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?
Work-Life balance has been challenging, especially operating a nice business out of my kitchen. I’ve spent too many late nights and early mornings (and everything in between) making this dream a reality for both me & my family. Over the last two years, I’ve learned so much growing my own business while staying home full-time with my girls. I’ve changed many things regarding customer communication, ordering, & offerings. I feel like I’m still “building the airplane” in the sky — changing and adapting to best meet the needs of my customers in the most efficient and sweetest ways possible.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
EmmceeBakes is a Kansas City cookie business specializing in custom sugar cookies for holidays and events. I also teach Cookie Classes, sharing skills and knowledge with others. There are lots of places in Kansas City to buy quality cookies. So what sets mine apart? Since starting my business, I have sought to bring every customer the most personalized baking experience. From baking alongside me in my Instagram stories, requesting your favorite sweets, and creating the perfect menu for your event — nothing makes me happier than to make your dessert dreams come true. Much more than a cookie purchase, I pride myself in bringing my customers a full, sweet experience — from the moment they interact with my offerings until their big event. I’m certainly proud of my continual growth in cookie-making skills, but I’m most proud of my loyal customer base and reach within Kansas City.
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success has always been about working hard and continually growing and learning. Success only happens after some time, and it’s certainly not a one-stop destination to be reached. Success is often measured by metrics (cookie sales, profits, views), but it’s so much more than that. I am most successful when I work hard and use my unique skill sets to bring a quality product to customers. Specifically, EmmceeBake’s success comes through delicious sweets that keep customers returning for more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emmceebakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmceebakes/
