Meet Niki Baron of Delight Baking Co. in Athmar Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niki Baron.

Niki, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I studied art, design, ceramics, and photography in high school and college, and throughout all those years I’ve always baked. My favorite childhood memories are of baking with my mom. We had a big tote-bag full of cookie cutters, maybe a dozen different ones for each holiday. Decorating was always the best part for me. I’d come up with new tricks and techniques each time we baked together. That was one of the ways my mom expressed her love.

I guess I do the same thing today. I express my love and my art with beautiful desserts. Years of baking for friends and family—and the joy I always derived from it—are now the source of energy I need to run a custom-baking business.

I founded Delight Baking Co. when I realized I could use all my different talents. My work in ceramics and sculpting informs my botanical style. My photography and design experience help me create a brand identity and craft a visual style that is uniquely Delight Baking Co. I bring that style to social media and to the design of my site.

I’ve had a lot of great feedback and encouragement from people, so I think something’s working right.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, yes, I’ve had a few struggles, just like anyone starting a business. It’s a not-enough-hours-in-the-day problem—balancing my baking with my full-time job as a graphic designer. I also remember it was pretty hard navigating the whole ‘cottage food industry’ on my own, but I got through that. I noticed that I was often the only woman of color in many industry groups. There was a lot to learn and I felt a little insecure about being self-taught. Eventually, I realized the only person who could grant me legitimacy was me. You just have to be willing to do the work.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Delight Baking Co. is all about exquisite hand-crafted desserts. Layer cakes, Cupcakes, French Macarons, and Custom-decorated Sugar Cookies. My dessert-style is simple and elegant, with exquisite details. I’m inspired by color and subtle flavor and I use only the highest quality ingredients.

I personally create each and every custom order. Sometimes I work with clients to select colors and designs to fit their special events. I’ve created tiny buttercream succulents for a southwestern fiesta. I’ve crafted delicate flowers to match the bride’s bouquet. My 1960s-themed cookies have delighted a lot of baby boomers.

There truly is an art to the perfect French Macaron. I’m proud to say I consistently deliver that classic crispy-but-chewy macaron experience. I offer subtle, grown-up flavors—like lavender, espresso, and passionfruit. I bake my macarons in a rainbow of gorgeous colors, too.

Delight Baking Co. Sugar Cookies are best sellers. Each cookie is crafted by hand. Sugar cookies bring back delightful childhood memories for just about everybody. Maybe that’s why they’re so popular.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For now, Delight Baking Co is a one-woman-show. So success for me has been figuring out how to wear all the hats. I’m a baker, food stylist, photographer, and web designer. I create social media content, do bookkeeping and advertising, even make deliveries. That might get more tricky as my business keeps growing.

At the very beginning, the biggest challenge was simply getting over self-doubt. Once I began believing I could do this, I just kept figuring it out, step by step. I am still doing that now, every day.

With each custom order, I feel more creatively accomplished. I’m proud of my baking and love to see my clients’ eyes get wide when they first see the desserts they ordered. That moment is worth all the butter, all the sugar, and all the time.

Pricing:

• Cupcakes Starting at $3.25/ea
• Macarons Starting at $35/doz
• Sugar Cookies starting at $35/doz

Contact Info:

• Website: www.delightbakingco.com
• Phone: 2243926095
• Email: delightbakingco@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delightbakingco/

Image Credit:
All Photos- Niki Baron

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