We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elisabeth Lords. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elisabeth below.
Elisabeth, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
As a baker, creativity is an essential part of my daily life! For one thing, menu development is an ongoing process for me. If I don’t bring something new to the table once in a while, I run the risk of boring my customers. That means I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration that I can turn into something delicious.
But it doesn’t just stop at a new recipe! I’m also what’s called a “cottage law” baker. That means I don’t work in a commercial kitchen, and as a result, I have some extra constraints on what I can and can’t sell. For example, I can only use dairy in cooked products. So I can bake a cake with milk, but I can’t put it in the icing. That creates a slew of challenges and obstacles to a lot of recipes, and it’s up to me to figure out a workaround. It can get tricky, but with a little creativity, I can usually find my way to a product I’m proud of.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the owner and founder of Elisa Marie Baking! After over a decade of being a professional baker, I built my little country bakery on the family recipes that I enjoyed while growing up as a literal preacher’s daughter in Kentucky and Oklahoma. I created EMB because I wanted to honor the family that came before me, and keep their memory alive in the Southern-style sweets they made for the ones they loved. I think there’s still a place in this world for grandma’s kitchen, and I sincerely hope that my baked goods will take you back to the simple joys of simpler times.
In addition to right-to-your-door delivery and appearances at local markets, I’m proud to offer my products at six retail locations throughout Orange County, including the Anaheim Marriott, Santa Monica Seafood in Costa Mesa, and all three OC locations of The Butchery. I’m also a regular competitor at the OC Fair, and I’m an eight-time ribbon winner for everything from brownies to jellies to scones.
If all that wasn’t enough, I’m the host of my own YouTube show called “Elisa Marie Bakes”, takes you into my cottage kitchen to learn some of my favorite recipes right along with me. Season One is happening right now, with a new episode uploaded every Wednesday through March 13!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If I had to distill everything I’ve learned about starting a small business into a single idea, it’d be this – you can’t do it alone. You’ve got to cultivate a strong and supportive community around your business; both in the audience you attract and the friends you make along the way.
In my case, I’m a big part of my own brand, so there’s a built-in necessity to be front and center for my customers. But I think there’s room for everyone to be more accessible to people who take an active interest in what you do. In fact, I think that’s kind of why people are drawn to small businesses in the first place; so they can connect with the people who make the products they want to buy. Do your part to make that connection!
I’ve also learned that small businesses are a collective all their own. There are plenty of opportunities to connect with other like-minded folks, even some that might be considered your competitors. Some of my dearest friendships are with other bakers with whom I’m competing for profits at any given market. These are the people that I turn to for advice, guidance, a little encouragement here and there, whatever I might need. If opening yourself up to people doesn’t come naturally, then it’s definitely a skill that’s worth developing. You never know who might be able to help you take that next big step forward.
Lastly, and just in general, it’s important to remember that small business is a marathon, not a sprint. There’ll be ups and downs, and the trick is to approach both with grace and good humor. I know EMB has a long way to go before it gets where I want it to be. But just by starting my own business, I’ve taken a step that some people go their whole lives only thinking about. If you’re doing your own thing, that’s worth celebrating no matter how good or bad things might look at the time.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I’ve lost count of how many new books I’ve read lately, but one that really stood out for me was “Sweet Success” by Candace Nelson. I love it because it breaks down every single part of running a business, from the initial idea, to funding, to effective marketing. She explained several things that don’t come naturally to me in ways that I understood. Plus it was so refreshing to read about the woman who built the Sprinkles empire choosing between buying a new commercial mixer or fixing her car. I’m in a very similar boat, and she really makes progress seem attainable for starting entrepreneurs. She presents everything like she’s just a friend telling you how to get it done, not like you are reading a book full of slick business lingo. Favorite quote: “If entrepreneurship boils down to one thing, it’s betting on yourself. Never put all your eggs in one basket – unless it’s your own”.
Then there’s “The Business of Baking” by Michelle Green. Her book made me say to myself, “I’m gonna start a bakery!” She breaks down how to price your baked goods for profit and how to handle any type of customer. I’m not always the most confident person, but this book really whipped me into shape, and taught me my time and products had real world value.
Something else I really appreciated was how she really broke down the cost of building your own bakery, then makes you ask yourself if you still want to do it. I remember setting the book down and really hashing it out for myself. I’m so glad I got to jump in with a better idea of what to expect, thanks to her. And here I am, still kicking four years later!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elisamariebaking.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisamariebaking/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElisaMarieBaking
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elisamariebakes
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elisamariebaking
Image Credits
Cathedral Bundt Cake Photo by Light & Shine Photography
