Meet Grace Brown-Pouncy: Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Brown-Pouncy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’d been toying with the idea of a side hustle for a while. Even while working professionally at a bakery, I would still come home and test recipes. I started Goodness Graceous Baking when the pandemic hit Atlanta and the city shut down. I knew it was the best time to get pastries out to the community. I didn’t have a big plan, I just figured I’d start somewhere and see where it takes me. It’s been about a year since I’ve started — I’ve learned a good deal and have some dreams for the future. I’m working on the next steps for how to make it all happen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I can’t say I’m reinventing the wheel in the baking world. I’d define my baking style as homestyle and approachable. I want to offer the baking equivalent of comfort food — to offer simple and honest pastries to a fast-moving city.

I worked, and continue to part-time, in the food industry before starting Goodness Graceous Baking. Baking a couple items at home for fun is totally different from baking as a profession. I learned how much work it takes, how much I’ll be standing on my feet, and how early I’ll be waking up to bake everything off in time. I’ve learned that the food industry is intense, but incredibly rewarding.

My setup now is pretty low-risk, but eventually I’ll want to move into the next phase. In a city as busy as Atlanta, I’ve contemplated what direction I want to take. It can be a challenge when you hit a point and have to start deciding what’s next. So far, I’ve gone with what feels right and let it unfold naturally, while still having larger goals planned.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
(I’ll answer this with a pre-Covid mindset.)

There is definitely no shortage of food and drink offerings in Atlanta.

We’d start the day at Aurora for coffee. It’s been my longtime favorite coffee shop, and their patio makes for great people watching.

For breakfast, I’d hit two birds with one stone. We’d sit at the counter of Ria’s Bluebird for egg and cheese biscuits and a second cup of coffee. It’s so cozy, like a diner out of Twin Peaks. Then we’d hop over to Little Tart for a fresh baked croissant.

For lunch, we’d head out to Buford Highway. Northern Chinese Eatery, Nam Phuong, LanZhou Ramen, El Rey del Taco.. there are so many options. And not just for restaurants, but also the Buford Highway Farmer’s Market and Plaza Fiesta. It’s such an amazing part of Atlanta.

One of my favorite places to get dinner is Little Bangkok. Aside from the incredible Thai food, the ambiance in the evening is my favorite. There is never music playing, but always a gentle hum of people talking. There is tons of decor on the wall and the staff is always so attentive.

Wow, we made it all day without drinks? Time for a cocktail. For a good dive bar, we’d have to stop at Elmyr, the Earl, or Righteous Room. If we wanted to treat ourselves to a fancy cocktail, I’d say the Kimball House bar is just the spot.

Other than food, I think a walk around Oakland Cemetery or visit to an outdoor farmers market. Stop at VideoDrome for a movie to rent or the Starlight Drive-In to watch one on the big outdoor screen. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d first have to shoutout my husband, Scott, for letting me run a tiny baking biz out of our house. A cottage bakery means baking out of my home — moving our dining table for my baking table, designating cabinet space for ingredients, putting in a small freezer, clearing out areas for boxes and packaging. He’s always been a huge support! He even did Thanksgiving pie pickups while I did the deliveries.

My family and friends have been amazing, too. My family has always supported entrepreneurship. I’ll bounce ideas off them and they always have feedback and advice. And my friends were some of the first people who ordered pastries. I’m grateful to have an incredibly supportive community.

As far as mentorship, I’ve learned such an immense amount working at Little Tart Bakeshop. I started there knowing just about nothing about baking on a large scale. I’ve learned how to plan ahead, bake with consistency, and hustle! Little Tart has such hardworking, talented and wonderful people working there.

Website: https://goodness-graceous-baking-co.square.site/

Instagram: @goodnessgraceousbaking