Meet Krista Bailey

We were lucky to catch up with Krista Bailey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Krista with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Growing up, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in my sister and I. We were encourged to start multiple “small businesses” in our elementary years and dream up many inventions. We had lemonade stands, garage sales and offered to do yard work for many of our neighbors. I personally had a constant desire to help others and earn my own money. My first job was at a small bakery down from my high school. I made chocolates and waited on customers. I loved the instant gratification of serving people something so delicious and seeing their satisfaction.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

After my first job at a small bakery, I continued in food service throughout high school. Participating in a culinary work program, I landed a job as the pastry chef and event coordinator at a bank. Through this unique position, I was introduced to an elevated level of dining. Attending artisan bread courses in Chicago and Chocolate courses in Las Vegas, NV. Even competing for the Central Region, Pastry Chef of the Year through the American Culinary Federation. In 2012 I took my first leap at the age of 25, I opened Simply Decadent Bakery in Lubbock, Tx. We were a full-service, from scratch bakery specializing in custom cakes, wedding cakes and decadent desserts. After having 2 kids, I sold the bakery at the start of 2018 to my manager and pastry chef. I spent the next few years growing our family and raising kids. In 2023 my husband bought be a new mixer and grain mill. I knew if I were to jump back into baking, it would look different. I had been working to eliminate processed food in our home and had recently learned about milling my own flour at home for optimal health from baked goods made with flour. The initial response from most is the assumption that I own a donkey and prehistoric stone mill, overtaking our small suburban backyard. The reality, is the small kitchen appliance used to mill flour, takes up the same amout of space as my coffee maker. Soon after I began baking again, Bailey Basics was born. My desire was to teach people how to fast track this new baking style using flour milled at home. I now offer a line of products to our community through markets and pop-ups, as well as write recipes, tips and tricks on the blog. I have loved meeting more people through the common passion of feeding our families something that is wholesome and nutritious.

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?

Over the years I have learned that failure is not a bad thing. I love to get out of my comfort zone, try something new and pivot if it doesn’t provide the intended results. Besides failing, I find that waking up and just starting something is so important to growth and learning. So often we never start for fear of failure, but when you shift failures into pivots, you are no longer afraid to start. The third thing I think has shaped me into who I am as a person as well as entrepreneur, is to do one thing the way you do everything. If you are passionate about something and give it 110%, you should carry that approach to the things you don’t enjoy. Pushing yourself to give your best in every aspect, elevates everything you do. It also proves to others your reliability and consistency. Set short and long term goals and check these off the list daily! It’s encouraging and shows you how far you have come!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

I think over the years, I have found myself to be my biggest obstacle. We get in our own heads and let these thoughts dictate the direction we go or lack action we take. My husband has been the biggest inspiration through our 15 years of marriage. He has been a sounding board, an honest voice of reason (even when I did not want to hear it) and so patient when I did not listen to his advice because I thought I could push through on a vision. Surrounding yourself with honest people that will enourage as well as hold you accountable is crucial to helping you sort out the voice in your head as you debate next steps.

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Image Credits

All photos were taken myself

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