Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Garcia.
Hi Amber, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started decorating cookies as a quarantine hobby in 2020 during the pandemic.
In March of 2020, my then 2-year-old had been recently diagnosed with autism. She was due to start attending a local ABA school when covid was officially dubbed a pandemic, and everything shut down – including her school. Her school started offering in-home therapy, where her behavioral therapist would come into our home and work with her for several hours during the day. I suddenly found myself with a ton of free time, as someone was now entertaining my child for most of the day.
I previously enjoyed watching cookie decorating videos online and found them SOOO satisfying. I thought “I could do that” – so I did. This hobby initially started as a way to pass the time, as a creative outlet, and an opportunity to disassociate for a little while amidst a chaotic world. As my cookie decorating skills started to improve I began advertising my services on Facebook. People came to pick up decorated cookies from my house – no contact porch pick up.
As the pandemic started to come to a somewhat end, and we felt comfortable attending outdoor events I started setting up booths at various markets. This really helped me to gain more custom order clients. Now, a few years later, I solely offer my services for custom orders: baby showers, birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc.
During my cookie journey, I started to film my cookie decorating process and post the videos to my social media – making my journey come full circle as I now create the cookie decorating videos that I used to admire. I have taught myself so much about filming, editing and social media algorithms – a skill I never knew I’d need.
During this process I have had the opportunity to meet so many people – from other local bakers, local business owners, and so many fun clients that have now become friends!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The largest challenge I have faced so far is that there do not seem to be enough hours in the day! I wish I did not need sleep, and I could work around the clock on all of the orders and ideas that I have in my head. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I have had a few 24-hour days, which I definitely end up regretting.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in custom decorated royal icing cookies. Each cookie is a tiny, edible work of art! I always feel so honored that people choose my cookies to help make their happiest days even more special. Not only are my cookies tasty, but they often double as party decorations! I love to coordinate the cookie designs to the theme of the party (and I LOVE a good theme)!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I try to keep my listening pretty light as I am working on cookies – something in the background that I can ignore as I concentrate. I really like to watch Pride and Prejudice (2005 version) while I work. I’ve seen it at least 100 times. It’s my favorite feel-good comfort movie. It’s also a tight 2 hour and 8-minute runtime, so I know when the movie ends that I need to take a little stretch break because I’ve been hunched over my worktable for 128 minutes at that point.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $80 a dozen with a 2 dozen minimum order requirement
Contact Info:
- Email: bluegoobakery@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluegoobakery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Blue-Goo-Bakery-100062091743747/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluegoobakery
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bluegoobakery/
Image Credits
Jenna McElroy (Headshot photo)
