Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaila Joseph.
Hi Kaila, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story of Hudson’s Cottage Bakery was started in January of 2025, inspired by my son. I first made a batch of buckeyes for our relatives, just as gifts for the holidays. Hudson was 9 months at the time, and was by my side in his bouncer throughout the process, so I let him taste the peanut butter fudge, the chocolate, and even let him bite into the finished product. Not only did Hudson love them, but so did our whole family! My dad encouraged me to look into selling them, so I spent some time researching cottage food laws, thinking of names for my business, and one day, I decided to just go for it. I drew up a logo and set up a facebook page all in that one day and from that day on, we have been known as Hudson’s Cottage Bakery, a small in-home bakery focusing on peanut butter chocolate buckeyes.
We started out doing porch sales, and Hudson has always been the star of the show, playing with toys on the porch and waving to all the cars that pass by. One picture included was from our first sale. I still remember how little he was during that first sale, and now he’s talking, walking, and eating buckeyes all on his own. Since January of 2025, we have made thousands of buckeyes and shared them with so many people, from family and friends, to neighbors and our community. Crunchy buckeyes, dark chocolate, and even mini buckeyes have been on the menu! We have done events and birthday parties, and now our buckeyes are offered at a delicious food truck in downtown Columbus, a golf course in Centerburg, and even our favorite restaurant here in Newark, Uncorked Kitchen. We are so grateful these establishments are willing to support us and help us share our buckeyes with the community.
What started with a gift to my family has now brought so many people together, and I couldn’t be more thankful to those who have supported us since day one, especially my Fiancé Connor, my mom, my dad and my grand-parents, and last but not least my son Hudson who’s been my inspiration and the best taste-tester anyone could ask for. Watching my small business grow alongside my son has been such a joy and I can’t wait to see where our peanut butter chocolate buckeyes take us in the new year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The first few porch sales were difficult, especially since it was very cold out. I consistently had porch sales every other week, but was lucky to even have one person come by in the 4-6 hours spent out there. My family was truly what kept it all going, as they made sure to buy some buckeyes every time I had a new batch ready. It took about 6 months to find our voice in the community, and now my small business has received the Nextdoor 2025 Neighborhood Fave award! It took persistence, and I almost gave up a few times, but every sale just pushed me to keep going harder.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I absolutely love drawing, and just about anything involving creativity. I love making new things, and my buckeyes are one of my biggest accomplishments. I’ve made a variety of products using peanut butter and chocolate, and my most creative product in my opinion is my buckeye bars. They use all the same ingredients yet you get a product that differs so much from the usual buckeyes, with more dispersed peanut butter and just a little extra chocolate!
Additionally, through digital design, I created my entire business platform from scratch, from my logos to my menu. I also love photography and take/edit my own photos. My most valued hobbies aside from buckeyes are painting, making blankets, and coloring with my son.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I have lived in and around central Ohio my whole life, and recently relocated to Newark. There are times when I miss the life of the Columbus, taking walks at night and enjoying the incredible buildings and views. My current favorite part of Columbus is Jetpack’s burger truck, but the traffic getting there is by far the worst part!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hudsonscottagebakery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572013005813
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/page/hudsons-cottage-bakery-newark-oh
