Check Out Nicole Damiano’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Damiano.

Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a former teacher and wanderer. My husband and I have taught overseas and traveled to more than 26 countries. When we started our family we attempted to settle down… but we ended up moving to 8 states in 8 years… growing our family to 5 in the process. Squishiebaby Sweets has operated in Colorado, California, Washington, and now Kansas. I have really enjoyed getting to know my customers across the country.

August 2020, during the year COVID took over, we rented out our house, closed down shop, renovated a school bus, and traveled the country for the year. (Check out The Kaja Project on Social Media for this adventure). Now, we are back in Kansas, the kids are back in school and I am back to baking.

I can not say where we will be next or what will happen in the future, but for now… let’s bake… and eat cookies!

Squishiebaby Sweets is a licensed and insured cottage law-in-home bakery out of Shawnee, Kansas. The bakery is located in the lower level of our home, with a dedicated kitchen space.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think the hardest part of owning a small business is tax time. Ha! But other struggles have been sharing my home kitchen with my business which is why this past December we built a second kitchen in our home so I have a dedicated workspace.

Another very hard thing is learning limits on how much business I can handle without getting overly stressed and taking time away from my family. It is very very hard to say no to orders when I know how much my cookies mean to people and their events.

I have three children, 5, 7, and 8. They all are in elementary school now which makes it much easier to dedicate my days to cookies and the bakery. I definitely do not have as much Mom guilt now that they are in school.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make custom sugar cookies for all occasions. I also make other treats like cookie cakes, hot cocoa bombs, macarons, and giant yummy cookies and teach cookie decorating classes.

I am most proud of my clients. I have clients that have followed me from state to state sticking with me as my skills grow, through the harder parts like price hikes, shipping charges, I love year after year making cookies for the same kids’ birthdays… or engagement cookies, then wedding cookies, anniversaries, pregnancy announcements, baby showers and then the child’s first birthday. I feel very connected to a lot of my clients.

I think what sets me apart is that I am fortunate now to have my own workspace and kitchen in my home. I am constantly practicing my skills and working so hard to improve.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Adam, my husband, and I have always done the unexpected. We have picked up and moved countless times, gone on crazy adventures before kids, and now with them.

Every time we move to a new state, I am risking my business. Fortunately, I feel like every time I open back up, it is stronger and better than before. People love cookies, I am definitely in the right business

Pricing:

• Custom orders start at $60
• My recommendation is two dozen for $90

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.squishiebabysweets.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squishiebaby/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squishiebabysweets
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/squishiebaby-sweets-shawnee

Image Credits
Sarah Ireland Photography