Many of our most prized possessions are passed down through generations. Valuable heirlooms, meaningful keepsakes, treasured souvenirs. But for senior Brianna Walsh’s family, it’s been something both valuable, meaningful, and treasured – baking. 

“I’ll always remember standing on a little stool at the kitchen counter with my nana as we made batches and batches of [my] great-great grandma’s cookie dough,” Brianna said. “Since I was only around four or five years old, I wasn’t able to do a ton of the work, however, I still loved helping out whenever I could. The homemade recipe has been in our family for generations so we all have it memorized by now but each of us have added our own little spin to it.”

All throughout Brianna’s life, baking has been a way to get closer to people. In fact, one of her family traditions is to bake cookies together before Christmas and give them to other loved ones.

“Baking first started off as a hobby,” Brianna said. “My family has always loved baking and cooking, so I have been surrounded by it my whole life. Originally, I just enjoyed the time it gave me with my parents and grandparents, but soon I realized that if I worked hard enough, I could turn it into a true business. I loved how it gave me a creative outlet where I could experiment with so many new recipes and designs.”

At around 12 years old, Bri decided to open up “Baked By Bri”, a small business where people outside of her family could purchase custom desserts.

“I can make pretty much anything but specialize in cakes, iced sugar cookies, and cupcakes,” Brianna said. “My baking business is still relatively small so most clients are friends or family. They will normally reach out to either me or one of my parents about placing an order. After they reach out, we talk about cost, timing, and design. They usually give me a decent amount of creative freedom but I always keep them updated throughout the process of how everything is looking.”

Katie Walsh, Brianna’s mom, says that Brianna sacrifices a lot of time to pursue her passion.

“Just like every business, there are busy times and idle time,” Katie said. “Up until recently, holiday cookies were always baked and decorated for family and as gifts to friends, teachers, and community first responders. But as word got out, the holidays are now a busy time for orders, along with graduation. During these seasons, without any other commitments or obligation, she may spend eight plus hours a day baking and decorating cookies. On school days, she will average three to six hours in the evening, depending.”

Balancing a baking business, school, and volleyball can be hard sometimes, but it has also taught Brianna many valuable skills that can be used after graduation.

“My business has taught me so much about my capabilities as both a baker and a person,” Brianna said. “I learned how to budget time, work with clients, and how to make a profit. Not only that, but it has taught me dedication, hard work, and perseverance.”

Brianna’s mom has noticed that this business has not only been helpful in preparing Brianna for the future, but it has also helped her throughout high school by allowing her to have an independent source of income and develop time-management skills.

“Starting at such a young age, this experience has helped Brianna develop many practical, business-oriented skills, such as organization, time management, budgeting, pricing, and marketing, among so many others,” Katie said. “Balancing orders with school, volleyball and other activities has encouraged prioritizing her tasks and managing her clients’ expectations.”

Besides all the other skills that have come along with this business, baking has allowed Brianna to do what she did in that kitchen with her family during Christmas time all her life – share the joy with others.

This business has expanded in recent years, but Katie Walsh always knew that baking wasn’t just a hobby for Bri. She hopes that Brianna will take the experiences that have come since starting Baked By Bri with her throughout life, regardless of if she decides to pursue a career in baking.

“Truthfully, I think this has always been much more for Brianna than a hobby,” Katie said. “She has had a passion for baking since she was maybe two or three years old. She has also been a very creative person for probably just as long. As I look back on how far she has come, it makes sense that she sees her baking, her cookies, as blank canvases; no two ever looking the same. She has learned how to be patient with herself, has mastered many new techniques, and has never given up on this dream. No matter what path she takes in the coming years, this amazing success will be something she carries with her.”