13 January 2013
BAKERY: Julianne Pitchford (12) owns her own baking company, Julianne’s Bakery.
The thought of freshly baked goods would bring smiles to most people’s faces. But receiving a batch of home-made chocolate- chip cookies or decadent brownies is even better. There is just something about baked goods that brings a little bit of happiness to any situation.
Julianne Pitchford (12) resolved to bring happiness to others, in the form of chocolate chip cookies, when she created her baking business Julianne’s Bakery at age 11. But her baked treats are not limited to cookies, even though those are one of her most popular orders; her menu also includes custom cakes and chunky chocolate peanut butter bars—her top selling item.
This thriving self-run business began when Pitchford was in sixth grade. At this time, she began baking goods non-stop, although she’s been baking since she was three years old. Pitchford handed them out to her neighbors, friends and family members, who all responded with positive feedback.
“They all told me how much they enjoyed the treats, so it just sort of came to me that I should sell them,” Pitchford said.
Ever since then, Pitchford has baked and sold top-notch goods to her customers, who are never dissatisfied with the delicious treats, which are made entirely from scratch. “Quality is my number one priority when it comes to baking. I don’t believe in frosting from a can or brownies from a box. That’s just not who I am,” Pitchford said.
Her quality baked goods have not only been featured at parties, band fundraisers and weddings, but also huge events like the National Charity League’s senior class silent auction. Pitchford explained that each year the senior class holds a silent auction that raises money for the end-of-the-year fashion show. “As a member of National Charity League, I decided to incorporate my bakery in hopes to raise money for the girls,” Pitchford said.
She offered two prizes: one that grants the winning auctioneer one free product from Julianne’s Bakery for the next three months and another that provides the auctioneer with a free product for the next six months. This idea enabled them to win a substantial amount of money for the senior class.
With all the success of her company, one wonders how she can do it all by herself; luckily, she doesn’t have to. Pitchford still receives assistance from the two people that she can always trust: her parents. Her father aids her with all of the financial aspects of the company. “If it wasn’t for him then I’d be charging too little for some of my products I offer. He also got me to open up my accounts. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably be putting my money in the ground because I wouldn’t know where else to keep it safe,” Pitchford said. Her mother, on the other hand, comes to the rescue when things get a little overwhelming in the kitchen. “Usually, I’m the only person doing the baking, but if I receive a ridiculously large order, then my mother comes in and helps me out,” Pitchford said.
Baking will always play a significant role in Pitchford’s life, but she does not consider it to be a potential career path. “I don’t plan on opening an actual shop because I want to study music education and eventually make that my profession. But, I’ll always have the bakery there for me if somebody needs a decorative cake or a batch of cookies,” Pitchford said.
Nevertheless, the very fact that Pitchford far exceeded her goal to start her own baking company is an encouraging reminder that, when goals are set and hard work is put in, success is never too far away.