Happy Friday!!!
I am very excited to share this post with all of you because it is all about food!
Who doesn't like food, right? Especially when the food in question are macarons and biscotti! ;)
A couple of weeks ago, I received a package of goodies from
Salt City Bakery to review and share with you guys... but, before we talk about those yummy macarons and biscotti, here's a little something about Andrea and
Salt City Bakery:
1. What made you want to start a business?
I just really love baking, so starting a business was never about doing it to make money. I just wanted to share my baked goodies with as many people as possible.
2. When and how did you start your business?
Technically I started out in autumn of 2008 when I made my first cake for my great-grandmother’s 90th birthday. But I didn't open my shop until the spring of 2009. At first I actually started out making bread, but quickly realized that wasn't the best thing to sell online. I love making bread, but selling it to people across the country was challenging; especially being someone that refuses to use any sort of preservatives.
I started by getting a business license, securing my business name with the state of Utah, getting a food handlers permit (required in the state of Utah) and then I opened an Etsy shop and just basically went for it.
3. What is the story behind Salt City Bakery?
Salt City Bakery is just me, one gal, Andrea, making home-made goodies from organic and all natural ingredients in small batches. I really just love creating; I've always been an artist, but love being a food artist most of all because I can make people happy and full at the same time.
4. What is your favorite thing to bake?
I love making macarons (even though they're the hardest and most time consuming thing I make), it is such an accomplishment when you set out to make a new flavor and they actually turn out. They are very pretty but also very simple looking, and the flavor possibilities with macarons are endless!
5. Do you have a favorite flavor?
Cinnamon, hands down the greatest flavor ever born! (At least in my opinion)
6. On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard is it to make macarons?
27, ha just kidding (or am I?).
They are very difficult and very particular. If you don't get each step just right, you'll end up with cracked shells or shells that have spread too much.. or a slew of other mishaps. However, when you DO get it right it is so worth all the stress and previous failed attempts because a perfect macaron is a beautiful thing. And after making batch after batch you learn something new each time and there is something to be said about that, I think. Even failed attempts are beautiful in their own way and that's why I keep making them.
7. Do you have any advice for people who would like to start their own business?
Research. Research. Research. Seriously, research everything you possibly can about the kind of business you want to start. Even if you think you know how to do something well. Research what other sellers are doing and most of all research costs; what it costs to make something, what it costs to ship, to package. For the first year or so I spent way more money than I made because I jumped in feet first and didn't bother to check the water first.
I knew how to bake but basically didn't know anything else about running a business. I am very happy that I opened my business when I did, because I have learned a lot along the way. But I also learned the hard way. Hell, I still have a lot to learn about the business side of it. But as long as I am learning and having fun doing it, AND making people happy with baked goods that's all that matters to me.
Also, this possibly goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway; If you're thinking about starting a business make sure it's doing something you love and are truly passionate about. If there is no passion in what you're doing, trust me, people notice.
All of Andrea's baked goodies are handmade in small batches in Salt Lake City, Utah. She uses only the finest quality all-natural, organic, and local ingredients. You won't find any preservatives, chemicals, or bad stuff -- and that's a promise!
All items are shipped Monday-Thursday following your order.
The items are neatly packaged and shipped using USPS Priority mail (as seen in the images above).
During the warmer months, macarons and chocolate items are packaged with a cold pack in an insulated package to keep them fresh and protected from the elements (again, as seen in the images above).
Here are the goodies Andrea sent me:
1. Gingerbread Biscotti
2. Peach Bourbon Macarons
I also got a note from Andrea and some storage instructions for french macarons. :)
Organic Peach Macarons with Brown Sugar Bourbon Buttercream -
Fresh peaches, brown sugar buttercream, and a touch of Utah's own High West Distillery American Prairie Reserve, a blend of straight bourbons. Oh. Yes. We. Did.
Believe it or not, there is not a single drop of food coloring in these babies; that delightful peach color comes from the peaches.
How pretty are these macarons???
Some of the macaron shells did crack a bit, but that's quite inevitable especially given how delicate macarons are.
Cracked shells aside, these are delicious and so heavenly!
You can smell the peaches and you can totally taste how natural the ingredients are.
Each bite is food heaven!
Organic Gingerbread Biscotti -
The perfect combination of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a touch of molasses and topped with organic cane sugar.
Great for dipping in your morning coffee or a snack, anytime.
Gingerbread and biscotti, together at last!
Twice baked and always handmade.
My parents really loved this: biscotti + coffee = delicious!
These will also be perfect for the holidays, they actually smell like Christmas!
I guess I'll end this post by sending a big thank you and a big virtual hug to Andrea for answering the questions above, for giving us advice on how to start our own business, and for sending me these yummy goodies to share with you guys! Thanks, Andrea! :)
There will also be a Salt City Bakery giveaway right here on What Mimi Writes just for you guys, so please stay tuned!
In the meantime, to check out Andrea's
Etsy shop,
Salt City Bakery, please click
here.
You can also keep up to date with her through
Facebook.
What do you guys think? Do you like macarons and biscotti?
Have you ever ordered anything from Salt City Bakery before?
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :D
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)
Two winners! Open internationally. Ends tomorrow at 11:59pm PST.
