Hidden Gems: Meet Lola Tucker of Crumbs And Bites Bakery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lola Tucker.  

Hi Lola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started baking at my grandmother’s hip when I was three years old. I was raised in her kitchen. Anything she made, I had my tiny hand in it. She taught me how to feel out a recipe, know when it’s done by taste and smell, how to create magic from simple ingredients. She taught me how to love baking and how to bake with love and intention. 

For a brief time, when I was in high school, I decided to try my hand at entrepreneurship. I found a local coffee shop, and they would purchase cupcakes from me weekly. It was nice to be my own business and do something that I loved. However, the coffee shop eventually closed, and I began to focus more on my grades. I knew that I would come back around to my dream, but I had to graduate first. 

My goal had been to graduate high school and start my baking business, but right before Christmas of 2006, my grandmother passed. As she was the one who taught me how to bake, I couldn’t fathom the idea of creating my business without her. I told my mother that I would never bake again. At that point, I meant it. 

The following Christmas, I was cleaning out the kitchen when I found a wrapped box with my name on it. It wasn’t from my mom, I asked, so I assumed it must have been hidden in the cupboard by my grandmother before her passing. For a while I didn’t open it. I was still so upset by her loss that I felt like I would break apart, but when I was finally able to open it, I found my very first stand mixer. 

To me, that was a sign that I was supposed to continue on my journey with baking. It was a sign that she was still there with me. It was enough that I started baking almost once a week. I used that stand mixer until the motor died. 

It has been about 17 years since my grandmother’s passing. I’ve had some roadblocks, let my dream sit on the sidelines, but I’ve never let it die. Now, I’d like to think she’s still with me. Cheering me on as I go full steam ahead with my dream of Crumbs And Bites Bakery. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to entrepreneurship is never really smooth. You face a lot of ups and downs, whether that be financially or personally. My biggest obstacle in my journey was myself. 

I was constantly afraid of failure. Every time I would start down the path to owning my own business, I would have the voices of doubt stop me. “What if you fail?” “What if it is a disaster?” “What if you give it your all, but nothing comes of it?” 

I finally had to step out of my own way and let myself take the plunge. If I was going to fail, I was going to do it while giving it my all. If it was going to be a disaster, then I would make it my own disaster. One that I could learn from and grow from. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Crumbs And Bites Bakery specializes in gourmet, unique baked goods. From Caramel Apple Pie Popcorn – packed with that apple pie flavor and crunchy apple chips to our Kitchen Sink Chonkie – a chocolate chip cookie packed with everything but the kitchen sink to our Elvis Krispies – a perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and banana chips, there is something for everyone with a sweet tooth. 

We have a variety of our products in both Handmade Toledo and Blended at Franklin Park Mall, but we take time throughout the year to set up booths at local vendor events as well. We’re also available to do dessert tables for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, and birthday parties. Soon we’ll be holding children’s Kitchen Explorer classes at Callisto Terra. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Thankfully, there is always a reason to celebrate. Weddings, birthdays, holidays, just because… Crumbs and Bites Bakery will be around for all of those special moments and more. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crumbsandbitesbakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrumbsandBites/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@crumbsandbites

Image Credits
LunaBunneh