Izzy and I talked about how so many of our friends are working on individual projects that we wanted to shine some light on. Meet Jessica Lee, the face behind @jessbakescake on Instagram. The most talented baker and charismatic girl we know, bakes any dessert you can think of from scratch, and donates all profits to Siena House, a shelter for homeless women and children. We got the chance to ask Jess questions about what it’s like running a side hustle as popular and successful as hers. She spoke about her experience and also gave her truth on how the whole process can be extremely rewarding, but also opened up to us and talked about burnout.
I think that burnout is something that each and every one of us has experienced at one time or another. Whether it be related to academics, or perfecting any hobby of yours, burnout is real and common. Jess has done an amazing job at setting boundaries with her mini business, and not letting it overwhelm her or take over her life. She’s so dedicated and passionate about baking, and you should definitely check out her account. Her Instagram is @jessbakescake on Instagram, and don’t forget to take a look at the interview questions below!
1. What influenced you to start baking?
I always baked with my mom, so when I was little she would bake with me and then at a certain point I think I just started doing it by myself.
2. How has baking shaped your life?
I think it’s made it really nice to like having something that I can do to give people. If I go somewhere or if I’m seeing a friend again, I know they like something, and I can make it for them. It’s just really nice. I feel like people enjoy that.
3. Why exactly did you switch baking from being a hobby to creating an instagram account and sort of a business?
I was making my sister a cake in June, and when I first learned how to make cakes it was a long time ago, I think it was when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and I hadn’t really baked in a while at that point. I think after a certain amount of time I got bored of it for some reason, and when I first made my little sister’s cake for her birthday during quarantine, I realized I liked doing it again and I kind of just, I felt like I didn’t have a lot of other things to do. I think it was just because I was bored and I wanted something to do that I could use like not myself I guess. I felt like if I was gonna do something for myself, I would just get, I would lose motivation really fast, since I had that experience before.
4. So we noticed that all of the profits from your sales go to Siena House. Why did you decide to donate to this cause?
When I was little, I remember we’d do donations for them during Christmas time, so we’d send gifts for the moms and the babies there. It’s just something that I’m familiar with, I thought that was better because I was considering other bigger organizations, but when I was thinking about it, I realized that if I donated to say the National wildlife something, or Saint Judes, they’re all really good, I just don’t think my little amount of money would make as big of a difference.
5. What are some of your favorite treats to bake?
I like making bread! Making bread is really fun. I like cinnamon rolls, and I like making cake pops. Cake pops are more time consuming, but they’re so cute and little.
6. What is the first thing you learned to bake?
Probably box cake or boxed brownies or something. I used to make Betty Crocker brownies all the time when I was little and Martha Stewart Recipes.
7. Do you have vegan and non dairy options?
So my friend’s little sister is gluten free, and I have a couple friends who are gluten free so I’ve made gluten free cakes for them before. I’ve also done dairy free and eggless.
8. Do you have dreams of becoming a baker when you’re older?
No, I don’t think so. I don’t really have an interest in doing it. I feel like it’s a good hobby, and a lot of people ask me on the daily about baking something for them, but I feel like if I took on a bunch of orders, I wouldn’t enjoy baking, and I would kind of feel like I would feel burnout. I feel like if it was a job I had to do, I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.
9. Any advice to anyone else planning to start a business or baking account like you?
Just do it! There’s not a lot of risks if you’re young. I feel like it’s worth a shot to try, and there’s not much you can lose if you just decide to give it a go. And people don’t judge you, like if you try something and realize it doesn’t work out, I think most people understand, and it’s better to know if you try then not try at all.
コメント