Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Waterman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My family’s kitchen is the backdrop for some of my fondest childhood memories – my mom and grandma are both incredible cooks, so a lot of our biggest events were centered around the dinner table. As most kitchens are, ours was often chaotic, a constant hum of chopping, blending and oven timers – and while I got my hands wet in dinner prep, creating the perfect dessert was always my favorite contribution. After I graduated from college and began working in the Advertising industry, I found myself spending more and more evenings and weekends browsing for and testing new recipes. What’s one to do with all of those baked goods if not deliver them to your friends and coworkers at rapid speed? After years of pushing cookies and cupcakes onto loved ones, I realized that this hobby was what I looked forward to most, and the thrill of sharing a new sweet was unmatched. With some encouragement from my loyal taste-testers, I officially launched my business in 2017 with a seasonal cookie subscription box!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The initial set-up of any new business is daunting: from website development to forming a corporation and collecting all of the right licenses, the list seemed to go on and on. Starting a food business is even more complex because there are additional food safety certifications needed and every step seemed to add weeks to the timeline. Through a lot of research and planning, I was able to formalize all of my business logistics pretty much on-schedule and launch the first cookie box for the 2017 holiday season!
What should we know about ginabakes ? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Delivering to sweet tooths across Chicago, ginabakes is a made-to-order bakery that specializes in comfort desserts for everyday celebrations. The menu, which- includes cookies, cakes, breakfast pastries + more, is built to inspire cravings with an approachable and ever-evolving selection of desserts. Our best-seller is the seasonal cookie box, a subscription where you receive a dozen cookies 4x a year, hand-delivered to your door!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
I am always listening to a podcast or music I’m working in the kitchen, and while they’re usually satisfying my pop-culture addiction, I do enjoy How I Built This with Guy Raz. Apps that I can’t live without are Instagram, Twitter and VSCO since 99% of my photos are taken on my iPhone. I am also working on being more consistent with my social media presence, and Planoly has been key in that!
Pricing:
- The Seasonal Cookie Boxes is $30 for one delivery, with a small discount if you sign up for the full year
- Individual-sized sweets range from $2-$3.50, cakes start at $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gina-bakes.com
- Email: gina@gina-bakes.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ginabakes
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ginabakescookieboxes/
Image Credit:
Sarah Chobanian, www.sarahchobanian.com, @Beautyintheye
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