Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorraine Richie
Hi Lorraine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In March of 2019 my family and I took a leap of faith and moved to Montgomery, Alabama. I had taken up decorating sugar cookies a number of years prior to the move and was connected to the area through an event planner and social media. We would end up getting connected to the creative/entrepreneurial community in Montgomery over the years and took the necessary steps in our lives to pursue making a move there. Once settled in our new state and home, I took a class and obtained my cottage food certificate and began selling custom decorated sugar cookies from my home. After four and half years of being a home baker my husband and I opened our first storefront on September 1, 2023. My husband works full time in Selma, Alabama as a project manager and does all of the baking in the evenings after work. We now have a space where community can gather, celebrate, network, and just enjoy the sweetness that life has to offer.
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?
There were plenty of struggles from learning how to decorate cookies and all of the intricacies that go along with it, to finding the courage to start shipping decorated cookies, deciding to deliver cookies to Montgomery Alabama and considering what it would look like to move there. It ended up taking five years and a lot of planning, preparing, and praying before our house in New Jersey sold. We also had to consider what we would be willing to sacrifice in order for us to get to Montgomery. When our house sold and we purchased a place in Alabama, my husband still hadn’t found a job in Montgomery, so he moved the kids and I down, got us settled in and headed back to NJ until he secured a job in Alabama. We had no idea how long it would take or when he would get the chance to visit. Living apart and experiencing our new home and community without him was easily the biggest struggle.
Reaching deep into our faith and trust in God throughout this entire journey was something that we continually exercised and continue to do. We opened our storefront only a year ago, and showing up every day is an act of faith and worship. We fully believe that God has led us to this place, and He continues to provide exactly who and what we need to succeed. It’s easy to stay comfortable, to avoid taking risks, but that’s not where we are called to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although the product is baked goods, the work is creating, cultivating, and celebrating community. Through the products and experiences that we offer, we are helping others celebrate the special people and moments in their lives. From custom decorated sugar cookies to boxes of assorted baked goods, we get to help sweeten someone’s day. Having the opportunity to do that and have a space where the community can gather is the sweetest part of the job!
There are a few things that I believe set us apart from others, one is the fact that every baked good is created from scratch and baked on site. We are also a small batch bake shop, meaning that we are not mass producing anything, we bake as we need. We like to keep things feeling as homey as we can in order to bring a sense of belonging and nostalgia, it’s just who we are.
What makes you happy?
In simple terms, creating makes me happy. Creating gorgeous designs on sugar cookies, creating opportunities for people to connect or use their gifts and talents, creating a warm and inviting space for community to gather, creating memories and experiences make me happy. Doing these things alongside my husband and team makes me happy. I love that these things bring happiness to others and in turn that makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Lorrainesbakeshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorraines.bakeshop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorraines.bakeshop
Image Credits
Joseph Richie Photography
Grace Photography Studio
Stacy J Photography
Chelsea & Russ Photography
