We were lucky to catch up with Christina Benge recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christina, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Starting my own business has helped seed out any self doubt I’ve ever had in myself, just taking that step and seeing it through helps motivate me and my confidence in what I provide and do for others. Seeing and hearing of the delight and joy that I can help share with others for their gatherings and celebrations drives my positive outlook on myself and what I do.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am originally from Texas born and raised. Growing up I was surrounded by the great outdoors and love of my wonderful family. I had great interest in agricultural sciences and always thought that would be my main direction in life and become a farmer. Life as it always does changes and suddenly I was in Ohio almost 30 and had been stuck in retail for twelve years. When Covid hit I helped in the food industry at a pizza shop then with a friend at a bakery. When I started at the bakery, so many great memories I had with my Nanaw over came me and helped me realize how big the connection and passion I had to food really was. I was so lucky to have the creative space I did for a time to have free reign to practice and try to make things that I had never done before, the only thing that was missing was my name on it. With the encouragement and support of my Mom and Nanny I took the risk to step out on my own and start my own bakery from home. Choosing a name for my business was the easiest step. I have always had such pride in my family and our name, and credit every single one of them for who I am today and wanted there to be a dedication to all of them.
The biggest thing I focus my business on is freshness, everything from scratch nothing pre-made. Even for my inventory I only buy weekly for that weeks orders so that way I can guarantee the freshest ingredients for my customers and by doing so have no menu. I decided to take this approach so customers wouldn’t feel limited by what I could provide and understand that the possibilities are truly open ended as long as it falls into the cottage food guidelines, I can do it. I also strive on taking that extra step for all my customers such as custom ordering cake toppers or helping get those small extra details they’d like so they don’t have to worry about it. My goal is make the sweets part of what ever your occasion might be, be the easiest and least stressful part of your planning.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
All of my skills I learned from baking with my Nanaw when I was younger really helps carry me through all of my baking ventures. If it wasn’t for her knowledge of basics, tricks, and deciphering of old recipes that she shared with me I would not have the talent or confidence in what I do.
My over achiever drive and perfectionism has also helped me a lot. In the past these were things that would hinder me in a work for others environment but have had the most positive effect on my entrepreneurial journey. Having these but choosing baking as my creative path has helped create such a balance in my life. Baking is the best way to learn that you can be really good at something and still make small mistakes here and there and that its okay and normal – its very humbling.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
One hundred percent go all in to your weaknesses. Your strong suits will always be there, the only way to continue to excel is embrace and work through what’s most difficult. I’ve had communication issues my whole life, being social has never come easy to me. Working on that one weakness alone has carried my business experience, had I only focused on my strong suit of listening, following instructions, and being told what to do, I would still be stuck in a routine of working for others. Over coming weaknesses will always provide the most satisfaction you can have in yourself and open the doors to more opportunities, wether it being in business or everyday life. Just go for it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bengesbakery
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Christina Benge
