Bushie's Kitchen

Looking Back

bushieskitchen — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 18:00:47 +0000

Isn’t it crazy how much can change in a year?

A year ago, I was sitting in my capstone class learning all about our year-end cumulative project. As my professor explained all that would go into the project, I was absolutely dreading it. We were to do a complete analysis and create a business plan for a large company. The whole thing was starting to sound like a ton of work for something I truly wasn’t interested in until he told us the exception he was going to make that semester. If we wanted to start our own business, we were able to do this project based on that theoretical company. I sat up a little straighter, started listening harder, and the wheels really started to turn.

I was calling my mom before I even got to the car to tell her all about my ideas and my new excitement for this project.

Up until this point, I had a plan ready to go post-graduation. I was going to work in the area *hopefully * as an event coordinator while doing a little bit of baking and catering on the side. After 3-5 years, I would take the leap and start Bushie’s Kitchen. I was convinced that it would be best to wait until I felt ready financially. I honestly hadn’t even entertained the idea of starting a company right after college. It had always been something I did on the side. I had made desserts for a few weddings, but they were just for family and friends who knew I loved to bake.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think a project would truly change my life. I had gotten to the point in my education where I was really just trying to finish. It sounds so bad looking back at it, but at the time I was just SO ready to be done with school.

As I started to dive into this project, I began to get extremely nervous. Not because I didn’t know what I was doing but because I was realizing exactly what I wanted to do. All of the research, competitive analyses, and financial evaluations were making me realize that this was not only something I could do now but something I really wanted to do and that terrified me.

Something about that 5-year plan I had created in my mind had been so comforting. I didn’t have to take any big leaps of faith or make any risky decisions. I would find a good job and then take all the time I needed to get the ball rolling on Bushie’s Kitchen. But what’s life without a little risk… or a lot.

I quickly switched my mindset and started to really focus on making this dream a reality.

While I’m sure some things would have been easier if I had waited until I had more experience or more financial resources, I wouldn’t change a single thing about this past year. Every decision has shaped me not only as an entrepreneur and a business owner but as a person.

As I write this, I’m honestly surprised by how many emotions this all brings up for me. I’m shocked, amazed and most of all so proud of myself for how far I’ve come in the past year. I’ve struggled, been extremely sleep deprived, and worked a LOT of 14-hour days. But all of this has been worth it because I’ve truly made my dreams come true.

There are still so many things that I want to do and ways that I want to grow this little business of mine, and I couldn’t be more excited. But for just a moment I’m going to take a deep breath and enjoy all that I’ve done so far. So thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point, especially my amazingly supportive family and my capstone professor who truly changed my life with one little change to our year-end project.

Isn’t it crazy how much can change in a year?

*Keep an eye out for the one-year celebration of this fabulous little company in April!*

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Made Market

bushieskitchen — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 21:05:47 +0000

Thinking of the holidays each year always brings back such warm memories. Ice skating and sledding with a warm cup of cocoa waiting for us afterward as we shed all of our layers in massive piles in the kitchen. Or digging up the stained and faded peanut butter bar recipe to recreate the special treat that my Grandma made each year for Christmas Eve. A personal favorite of mine was always making and decorating sugar cookies. The kitchen was always covered in flour and smelled like I imagine the Keebler elf tree would. We would always frantically decorate as many cookies as we could because we thought that we could eat every cookie that we decorated… probably best that it was only a once a year occasion.

As Bushie’s Kitchen goes into its first official holiday season, I wanted to turn these sweet memories into sweet treats. Flavors like peppermint bark, hot cocoa, peanut butter buckeyes, gingerbread, and cranberry sauce will all be transformed into decadent cupcakes. These, along with traditional sugar cookies and chewy molasses cookies, all make for a perfect holiday treat or hostess gift! The cupcakes freeze fantastically, allowing you to get all of your desserts and treats in advance at the Made Market on December 8th!

The Made Market is a wonderful event, bringing together local artisanal vendors who have exquisite products, making it the perfect stop when you’re looking for a beautiful gift. While you’re shopping for these gifts you’ll also be able to stop by our booth to grab a treat for yourself and a few to take home and share, or hide and indulge on later!

Click on the photo to learn more about the Made Market!

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Thanksgiving Dessert Bar

bushieskitchen — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 01:49:01 +0000

While I love and appreciate all the holidays, I have to say Thanksgiving is my favorite. For me, Thanksgiving has always been a day spent with my dad. We wake up early to prep the turkey and make the stuffing while eating some of the insane amounts of Chex mix we made during the weeks prior. As family starts to trickle in, the day just gets better. Nothing beats seeing everyone’s smiling faces and sharing a fabulous meal, but I have to say, this year I’m thinking about which desserts to serve more than anything.

On a day focused on family, friends, love, and eating so much you have to loosen your pants, a dessert bar really seems to be the way to go. With everything from flaky apple or pumpkin hand pies to our family favorite of lemon meringue pie piled high with toasted meringue, I don’t see how it could get any better!

These flaky homemade hand pies are the perfect solution to a family divided when it comes to favorite pie flavors and are perfect for a dessert bar! They’re each made by hand and start with a traditional pie crust. Then comes the best part: the filling. With the choice of fresh honey crisp apple, pumpkin spice, blueberry or mixed berry, you really can’t go wrong, especially when they’re finished with a traditional powdered sugar glaze…I mean how can you resist!

While I’m 100% here for the more traditional Thanksgiving desserts, I’m also a lover of the unconventional. Cupcakes like churro, s’mores, pumpkin spice, and salted caramel all have that warm and comforting fall vibe but throw a touch of whimsy onto your dessert bar, especially when you get the mini version and can try them all! Clearly, I’m going to have to do the dessert bar because I really can’t choose between the traditional pies, fun hand pies, and delicious cupcakes. Calories don’t count if it’s a holiday, right!?

If you’re into these desserts and the idea of a dessert bar as much as I am, place your custom order today by contacting me at bushieskitchen@gmail.com and take away all of the stress and worry of making your holiday desserts! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to wear your stretchy pants!

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