From the C.D.O. Files Chrysta Wilson, Owner, Kiss My Bundt I’m a great baker—I always have been. When I was a little girl in the South, my Aunt Dia let me shadow her to learn how to bake. She was THE baker in my family—I think it was a generational thing because I am now the baker in the family since she passed away. Moving from “baking as a hobby” to “baking as a business” wasn’t a new transition. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was a little girl, I always had businesses. One of the most memorable businesses was my corner bakeshop, where all baked goods for sale were made in my easy bake oven. I might have been about 7 or 8 years old. Through a series of events that occurred in 2004, including completing my Masters degree, transitioning into a new job, and learning that 3 close members of my family developed cancer, I begin to try and connect with those basic things that made me happy. I begin baking again. Just for fun. For friends, family, and whoever would eat it (which was everyone). And I began to get involved in the community—for the first time in a long time—not because it was my line of work, but because I wanted to reconnect with the community in a personal way. When My Aunt Dia, the influential aunt that taught me all about baking, died in the summer of 2005, I begin to think about her dreams of having her own business. So that same summer, I began baking again. The more people that ate my delicious bundt cakes, the more people loved the cake. I had several people tell me that I should open a business. And I would say that it wasn’t something I could do because I had a “good job” and a Master’s degree. I couldn’t leave into a new field, into the unknown. I didn’t have a degree in business or baking. I just thought I couldn’t do it. I had become disconnected from the skills that I have—from my entrepreneurial spirit. Then, one fateful Saturday, I was working (unpaid I might ask) for the nonprofit that employed me. As I ate my Chinese food, I began to daydream about “what if”. What if I opened a business? Then, I opened my fortune cookie it said “You will start a business of your own and it will be successful.” I still have this fortune today. So, when I asked myself “why not” and had no answer, it was official. I came up with the company name, created the logo, began preparing the necessary paperwork to file this business in Los Angeles County, and purchased the website address (www.KissMyBundt.net). All in about 15 minutes. By the next day, I begin developing the website. The online cake-catering business, Kiss My Bundt, was born. Since then, we’ve filled orders for celebrities, major corporations, event managers, party planners, and loyal cake lovers. I’ve really amused myself (and scared my family) by pursuing this venture. To ease their confusion, I just tell them that I’ve moved from one CBO to another. I went from working at Community-Based Organizations to being a Chief Baking Offer. And, I’m happy. So I leave you with these learned lessons that have helped me grow Kiss My Bundt as a business. Lesson #1: If you have a passion for something, you should do it. After all, why not? Lesson #2: If you make a good product, people will buy it. Lesson #3: The product you make may be the best in the world, but without good customer service and marketing your product, you won’t be making or selling that product very long. Chrysta Wilson is the owner and lead baker of Kiss My Bundt, a sassy-retail bakeshop specializing in made-from-scratch bundt cakes. For more information, or to order your Kiss My Bundt Cake or Confection, visit their web-based storefront at: www.KissMyBundt.net