We recently connected with Lisa Haggstrom and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My grandparents and parents instilled a strong work ethic. Nothing is free, you have to work for it. Not only did they work full time, but some volunteered their time to help at church or had side jobs when times were tough. All while making sure we had what we needed. As kids we didn’t always understand what we “wanted” wasn’t a priority sometimes. They taught me to never take what you have for granted.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am fortunate to work from home under the Minnesota Cottage Food Law. It allows home bakers to sell potentially non-hazardous items produced in their home kitchens.
I specialize in custom decorated sugar cookies and potica (a Slovenian nut roll/strudel). I love being part of my customer’s special days! I have several families that I’ve been baking for birthdays and holidays since I stated in 2015. It’s fun to see how kid’s interest change from year to year.
Since many moms or grandmas do not make potica anymore, my walnut and apple poticas have brought back a family tradition at Christmas and Easter for many people in the area.
I have pop-up events at my home several times a year around holidays with ready-made items. It’s fun to chat with customers while they shop.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My knowledge and experience as a restaurant manager for almost 20 years and then 10 years as a bakery manager definitely helped with the business side of having a home buakery. I recommend if a person has no experience in business to take a few accounting and business classes. At minimum research how to be profitable. You can not grow your business without a profit. And it needs to start from day one.
Be realistic with where you skill level is. All home bakers have similar costs, but the difference in pricing generally comes from increased skill level. I do not make organic or allergen-free items, two factors that also increase costs. Practice and study your craft to grow.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Believe it or not, I read cookbooks. I want to know how and why foods react the way they do when baking and cooking.
I started my cookie journey with Pam at https://www.cookiecrazie.com/
Her tutorials and recipes gave me a great foundation. I still use many of her techniques today.
The most helpful book when I was learning all about coloring royal icing was The Cookie Companion by Georganne Bell. Her color charts were fantastic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cookiesandmorebylisa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookiesandmorebylisa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookiesandmorebylisa
Image Credits
I took all photos.
