Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Houdek
Hi Tiffany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Cookie making has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Every holiday, my sisters and I would gather at my grandparents’ house with our cousins for our annual cookie baking day — a tradition that marked the start of the holiday season and something I always eagerly anticipated. Back then, we’d make a variety of delicious holiday goodies, but I always remember the snowballs and sugar cookies. I remember rolling the snowballs in powdered sugar and frosting the sugar cookies with that delicious vanilla frosting you can buy in any local supermarket.
It wasn’t until many years later that I learned about the art of royal icing sugar cookie decorating from my mom, who spent years perfecting a sugar cookie recipe after taking a cookie decorating class. She began creating beautiful royal icing-frosted cookies for our birthdays, family events, and other special gatherings. One day, I decided to try my hand at frosting cookies with royal icing, and I immediately fell in love with it. I’ve always had a passion for arts and crafts, so this felt like the perfect creative outlet for me. It didn’t take long before friends and family started asking me to make cookies for their events and offering to pay me for my time.
After a few years of baking for others, I decided to officially launch Itty Bitty Bakeshop — a side hustle and creative escape from my full-time job. It wasn’t long before things started taking off.
At the same time, I ventured into wedding planning, which proved to be the perfect complement for Itty Bitty. Every event needs desserts! Back then, there were only a few cookie decorators in the area, which made my business even more unique for potential customers.
I started attending local events to sell and promote my cookies like the Cleveland Flea and collaborating with local businesses to share my cookies with the Cleveland community. I also started offering cookie decorating classes like the one my mom attended many years ago so I could teach people the art of royal icing sugar cookie decorating.
The growth of my business has opened so many amazing opportunities, and I’m incredibly grateful for every experience to date.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While running a home bakery does come with its challenges, I’ve been fortunate that my business hasn’t faced many major obstacles. One of the primary challenges for me is balancing the bakery with my full-time job. Managing both commitments requires careful planning and time management to ensure that each receives the attention it deserves. The biggest hurdle is finding enough hours in the day to focus solely on the bakery, but I’ve learned to prioritize tasks and stay organized, which has helped me navigate the busy times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Itty Bitty Bakeshop is a home bakery that specializes in custom sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. Our tag line, ‘Happiness is Life’s Tiny Treasures,’ perfectly reflects the heart behind what we do. I’ve always had a love for the little things in life, and I wanted to create a business that brings joy through these sweet treats. Each custom order I receive is a chance to be part of a significant moment in someone’s life—whether it’s a birthday, wedding, or any special occasion. It’s such an honor to help make those moments even more memorable with a delicious touch.
What sets us apart is not just our dedication to high-quality, beautifully decorated cookies, but our passion for connecting with our customers. I truly love working one-on-one with each person to bring their vision to life, and that personal touch is something we pride ourselves on.
This year, we’ve expanded our business to include something unique and exciting: a charming vintage Piaggio Apé. Originally retrofitted as a mobile bar, it has now been transformed into our delightful mobile bakery. We serve homemade custom cookies, nitro-brewed coffees, and refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling drinks from the vehicle. It’s available for event rentals, but we also take it to local markets to sell our offerings.
I want readers to know that our business is all about celebrating life’s milestones, one custom cookie at a time. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large event, we’re here to help make your moments even sweeter.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a little entrepreneur at heart. I loved the idea of running my own business from an early age. In the summer, I would set up lemonade stands, always taking them way more seriously than just a simple summer activity. I was also very organized—even as a kid. Every night before bed, I’d create a to-do list of everything I needed to accomplish the next day before heading off to school. That drive for order and efficiency stuck with me as I grew older. My parents were also into crafting, and my sisters and I would often create items to sell at local craft fairs when they were there selling their own creations. Those experiences helped shape my entrepreneurial spirit and gave me a taste of what it feels like to take something creative and turn it into a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itty-bitty-bakeshop-llc.square.site.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibbakeshop/
