Rising Stars: Meet Hope Burnett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Burnett.

Hope, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started my career as an eager accountant, ready to break into the public accounting world and provide knowledge and guidance to small businesses. When the challenge of passing the CPA exams was finally complete, I had plenty of time left to find a hobby. I worked myself into plants, and gardening, and eventually found myself loving bread baking.

When my husband and I purchased our first home in Northglenn, we found ourselves in a bagel desert. Not even chains were within a 10-minute drive, so I made them myself. As a few months passed, I realized just how much I loved making bagels and felt the responsibility to share them with those around me. My confidence began to grow with each bagel made for friends and family, and with this Hope’s Baked was born!

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?
We are only a couple of months into the journey that is Hope’s Baked, but it’s not without its challenges even this early. As a home baker, my main struggles have been fridge and oven space while also finding events that allow cottage bakers to sell their goods. Another challenge has been maintaining the accounting day job and maintaining quality in both areas of work.

Luckily, I’ve had a great support team and have found an amazing community in this home-baker arena who have pushed my name out there and sent events my way. The next obstacle will be finding a commercial kitchen and joining a farmers market next spring.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in fresh-baked bagels in specialty flavors while reducing waste.

We reduce waste by not using any plastic wrap, buying flour in bulk paper bags, and delivering by bike when possible. I am most proud of the quality of my baking. After making our own “bagel tour” and trying most bagel shops in the Denver Metro, my husband and I realized just how much the area needed a decent bagel.

Without a storefront, we try to find ourselves out there through social media and our weekly self-serve bagel porch stands. I love the idea of a pop-up bagel shop that people look forward to visiting, and it feels like that is finally getting going!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting.
You never get anywhere if you don’t start. I dreamed and talked about making a home bakery for almost a year before jumping into it, and now that I’m here I wish I would have started sooner.

It’s intimidating to put yourself and your work out into the world, but if you don’t you’ll never know how it could have gone. To me, it’s worth trying and failing than to never have tried and always wonder what if it could have been me?

Pricing:

• Bagels $3 each

Contact Info:

• Website: HopesBaked.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/itshopesbaked?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550789543462&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopesbaked?_t=8gyG6WA7CbT&_r=1