Barbara is a 30 something native of Virginia Beach Virginia. Mother to three wonderful children ages 13, 7, and 11 and incredible wife. Thanks to the United States Navy she and her family have just relocated to the Chicago area. Barbara tells her story below.
“I have spent the last 13 years of my life making a living out of what I love to do - making cakes. Like many of us it started out as a hobby. As my skills improved I took it to the next level and started working part time as a cake decorator at a mega grocery store. Before long, I had quit my full time job and within 9 months I was promoted to Bakery Manager. It was a lot of hard work, but I loved all the aspects of baking (this was back when most things were still made from scratch). Seven long years later I’d had enough of the management scene and accepted a job working as a technical representative for several bakery suppliers and manufacturers. My job was to teach bakery employees how to make cakes and pastries. I was hooked after only a week. I was making more birthday cakes in a day than most people do in a lifetime. Everyday I taught everything from the basics of icing cakes and making flowers to airbrushing, building wedding cakes and drawing cute cuddly characters. As part of the training team part of my job was to create manuals for large corporations. In one brainstorming session I was pleased that half of the designs selected for use were my own creations. As part of an 8 person team having my designs selected was a huge complement and some say testament to my ability as a designer and decorator.
Over the next 6 years, I traveled from Massachusetts to Southern Florida and every state in between at least twice. I saw more big cities and beautiful small towns that I ever dreamed I would, all the while making and teaching cakes and pastries. I became a familiar face at bakery and food shows decorating wedding cakes for Wilton Industries other manufacturers that I would come to work for during those years.
As much as I loved my work I desired more time at home with my family and my passion for getting personal and creating cakes for individuals developed. Barb’s Cake Shop was born.
Getting to know the Chicago and North Shore area is great and I am able to spend a lot of time creating new designs and recipes for "the next big wedding" or even the next “first birthday party”. I am loving being in control of my own ideas and I love making someone happy with something I created just for them. I tend to lean more toward simpler cake designs now. I think it is because I am slowing down and learning to love the simple pleasures in life.”
For
Reach Barbara soon at www.barbscakeshop.com or e-mail her at barbscakeshop@comcast.net
Pam Kozlarek
Evergreen Park, Illinois
ZZZBestCookie.com
I will readily admit to two passions: my family and baking. I have been making cookies for my co-workers, friends and catering desserts for different events for over 25 years. I was often told, “You should go into business.” In June 2005, I was asked if I would make a wedding cake. I learned about Cakewalk Chicago and signed up for a fondant class. There I met Lori and talked with other students who had their own cookie and cake businesses. I went home very inspired by Lori’s shop and business and told my husband I really wanted to start my cookie business and ZZZBestcookie.com was born.
I wanted to offer more than just great tasting cookies. I also wanted my cookies to be unique gifts. I first started making birthday cookie creations and giving them as gifts. They were a big hit so I added them to the website. Soon photo cookie creations were added to my line of products. I currently have 8 different cookie creations and 9 different photo creations online in addition to the 11 different types of cookies. Since the website opened for business in June, things have started to really take off. I love coming up with new creations.
My life is truly well rounded. I have worked downtown at a law firm for the past 25 years. All three of my children are accomplished athletes and students. Brandon earned a scholarship to play basketball at IIT but has since transferred to the Illinois Institute of Art, majoring in gaming and is currently my Assistant Photo Cookie Designer. Jennifer was the setter on Mother McAuley’s volleyball team that won the state championship and is currently attending Eastern Illinois University and studying to be a dietician. She is my off-site cookie tester and packaging consultant. Chris earned a scholarship to play Division I volleyball at Loyola University. He earned his degree in marketing in 2006 and is currently playing professionally in Copenhagen, Denmark. He gives me advice on how to market my cookie product. And last, but not least, is my husband Norm who is President of Taktiks Corporation, a sales consulting firm, and freelance writer. He has made my dream of a cookie business happen by developing ZZZbestcookie.com and supporting and encouraging me throughout the whole process.
Myra Y. White
I still work full time. I started baking in February 2005 baking cakes. This baking thing all started when I went on vacation and told everyone at work that I would be back in 2 weeks. One of my co-workers asked if I could bring some cake or something when I returned. I brought back a couple of pound cakes, just trying to be nice and have been at it every since. No one could have ever told me I would be baking and decorating.
Then co-workers and friends started asking for birthday cakes, so I took the courses so I could decorate cakes also. I love what I do and enjoy
learning new things. I know that I am now addicted because I am always looking at different things thinking to myself that "I could use that on
a cake". I used to wonder what I would do when I retire. Now I know.
