Shop Small | Crumbs & Crumbles Bakery

What are your backgrounds? How did you two meet?

Shanna: I got my pastry degree from Le Cordon Bleu.  I did my externship at 1789 in Georgetown, and stayed there a while after graduating.  After that I moved through a couple other fine dining restaurants until I landed in Winchester at a restaurant downtown.  We opened a bakery in conjunction with the restaurant.  That's where I met Dakota. 

Dakota: I was hired to work the register at that bakery, but on a slow day, I asked Shanna if she had some cookies I could decorate.  She did, and after a little practice, I realized how much I enjoyed creating art from food.  The bakery closed unexpectedly shortly after, but with the friendship we had already made we decided to have a go on our own.  And Crumbs & Crumbles was born.

Do either of you have children? How do you balance being a mother and running a business?

Shanna:  I do have children.  I have a little girl that's nearly 7 and a little boy that's 4.  It is definitely not an easy task.  We also home school our children, so there's a lot of sacrificing that has to happen...  On my part as a mother, on my husband's part, and even on Dakota's part.  I believe as a mother and as a Christian, my children and my husband are gifts that come first.  So that means sometimes what I want or need or really expect for the day has to be put aside.  Every day is different.  Maybe today we have the time to focus heavily on school.  And maybe the next day we need to spend more time focusing on the bakery.  And then the day after that might just be a day for play.  Fortunately, I have a family that supports that (most days lol, we're all grumpy sometimes right?) and a business partner that is flexible.  I wouldn't be ale to do it without the support of my husband, my extended family, my church, and Dakota. 

Dakota: I don’t have children of my own. However, I am a full-time aunt to my 3-year-old niece most days, which definitely keeps me busy. Luckily Shanna’s kids are around the same age and they can all play together while we work some days. I’m learning now more than ever how hard the balancing act is for working mothers. Shanna is truly an inspiration and I don’t know how she does it all.

What is the hardest part about self-employment?

Shanna: Time management and the desire to always say yes.  I have found that time has to be guarded when you are your own boss.  It's easy to allow projects, emails, and a desire to take every order that comes our way to get in the way of rest.

Dakota: I’ve always been terrible at self-discipline. Motivating myself is something I struggle with daily, especially from not having a “boss” to watch over me and make sure I do my work. And if you don’t do your job, it simply doesn’t get done, and the downfall is all on you.

What is the best part about self- employment?

Shanna: I love the flexibility.  My children are able to be with me through the day.  I can work early or work late if I want.  I can take a vacation (note the can... not always a do hahaha).  There is no expectation other than the one I place on myself.

Dakota: My whole life I’ve always sought a creative outlet to keep my crafty brain in check. I’m lucky enough to have a job where I basically get to play with crafts all day. We also only take on as much work as we can handle, or want to handle. Not many can say they have that much control over their job.

What advice would you give yourself at the start of this process?

Shanna: Bite the bullet and spend the cash on things that streamline.  Initially when we opened, we were a primarily web-based business.  We ship our macaron nationally and that was how we started.  There was a lot of "do we really need that?" kind of questions.  Or a lot of "Is there a better way?".  The answer is yes. 

Yes, you need that software that tracks orders and helps you cost accurately.  Yes, there is a better way. Talk to others that have done it.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  It's better to shorten the learning curve if you can.  You shouldn't learn a year in that shipping is more expensive if a box crossing the Mississippi River is larger than 12 inches or that you can actually ship directly from your selling platform rather than going to the post office and waiting in line.  Seems silly now but we were a bit clueless in those first few months. 

Dakota: Do your research. Upon starting something new (like a new business), take advantage of this tech age we live in. We have so much knowledge at our fingertips, and there is always someone out there who knows a subject better than you that you can learn from. Watch all the YouTube tutorials, read all the online forums, reach out to others in your field (they have all the best tips!), and buy the book. We can’t tell you how many times we were doing it all wrong because we decided to “wing it” instead of looking into it further.

What are three things you couldn't live without? 

Shanna: It's cliche to put my family in here (which really is all I need) so other than that.... my little offset spatula, my clipboard and legal pad (I'm a huge list maker), and Chick Fil A sweet tea.

Dakota: As a decorator in our kitchen I cannot live without my laptop/iPhone (all our designs and ideas come together from the screen in front of us—Pinterest is our very best friend!), LUSTER DUST (an edible sparkly dust that brings a glow to all our products), and lastly…good lighting!

What’s your favorite part about running the business?

Shanna: When someone orders anything from us, it's for something special.  It may be a wedding, a birthday, a graduation, or a Tuesday night.  But even that Tuesday night is special to them.  One of my chef instructors said once, "As a pastry chef, you always have to be at the top of your game.  Your bread starts the meal.  Your dessert ends the meal.  You are the first and last impression."  That cake we deliver this weekend or the macaron we ship tomorrow is for something special, something to be shared with others around a table.  That's my favorite part.  Knowing the delight that comes from things as simple as flour, sugar, and butter.  All the "running the business" stuff culminates in that moment of community.  Oh, and also, I really love the baking part.  Hahaha but that's a given.

Dakota: Making pretty things. We can work so hard on a project and see it come to life in the kitchen. Then we get to take that piece and dress up someone’s event, thus, creating a memory. We are not only making something pretty for their table, but something that tastes good too. And that’s something that people remember. Hearing “that was the prettiest and best tasting dessert I’ve ever had” truly takes the cake for us.

In light of current circumstances with COVID-19, what changes have happened for the business? How can we help? 

Shanna & Dakota: COVID has been something we never could have predicted.  It has definitely caused us to rethink a few things operationally but also it has allowed us to connect with our clients in a different way.  We've seen a hit in business for sure but fortunately we're a small operation, just the two of us, so we've been able to continue to function in the midst of the crisis.  The best way to help would be to think of us when this is all over.  Ha.  We'll all need some cake to celebrate!

What’s next for Crumbs & Crumbles?

Shanna & Dakota: We're in a good place.  We'll probably continue the way we are for a bit longer.  Who would have thought after 3 years we'd still be growing?  But we are and it's fantastic.  Baby steps for now.  Maybe someday a storefront.  But for now, just keep baking and making pretty things.

Crumbs & Crumbles have sponsored several of Verity Vareé’s events, delighting us with their pristinely decorated and delicious desserts. We can’t recommend them enough.

Photo by, White Sails Photography | Interview by, Emily Dean