Meet Kayla Crandall | Home Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Crandall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always known I wanted to start my own business but I never knew what it would be. My family has always encouraged me to sell the things I would bake for them, but I never took it seriously it was more so a hobby. But I’ve always doubted myself and my abilities, I thought “what if no-one wants to buy from me?” or “what if I’m not as good as my family thinks I am?” but I prayed on it and thought God didn’t give me this talent for nothing! Then one random afternoon I was talking to my mom and decided I was going to give it a try, so I took a risk and made a business IG and uploaded my first post and I had my first order within a few days.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a home baker, I’ve worked for a few bakeries as well as growing up with grandparents who would bake. Most people would think that baking is something easy but after working in a few bakeries myself, it’s not all peaches and cream. The first bakery I ever worked at was for a woman who specialized in cakes, she taught me so much about the baking world. It’s not just about throwing ingredients into a bowl and hoping for the best, there’s so much more detailing and precision that goes into it. I’ve also worked in a doughnut shop/cafe, let me tell you doughnuts are a lot harder than people give them credit for. You have to be very precise with making the dough but also with the temperature of the fryer and then all the glazes were made homemade and your doughnuts would have to be a certain temperature before you could glaze them or fill them. But working there also gave me a sense of what it would be like to have my own and how much work you have to put into a bakery/business. I’m just getting started, and even though I have gained a lot of experience in the baking world I know I have so much more to learn and experience but I’m very excited for this new journey of mine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandparents (Jim and Patti Crandall) and my mom (Julie Crandall) play a huge role in who I am today. They are the ones who pushed me and encouraged me to start my own business. My grandparents are the ones who introduced me to baking at a very young age. They would sell baked goods at their local doctors offices, shops, etc. to help my mom with bills. My mom was a single parent growing up and she would do anything under the sun for me and my siblings. She’s always taught me to work hard, be a kind person, but to also chase after your dreams. My mom has been my biggest supporter with my business and I pray that one day I can give back to her just as much as she’s given to me! I wouldn’t be who I am today without them! They are also the reason why I named my business Crandall & Co. Bakery.

Instagram: @crandallandco_bakery

Facebook: Crandall & Co. Bakery

Other: Email: crandallandcobakery@gmail.com