Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Pfeiffer.
Hi Gail, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Cookies are my creative outlet and bring me absolute joy! I’ve been a life-long baker and only discovered the art of decorating sugar cookies five years ago when planning my daughter’s wedding. Looking through Pinterest, I wished that I could make these gorgeous cookies for her bridal shower and wedding. I just had to learn how to make them! I scoured the internet for tutorials and took a couple of classes — I was hooked!
I also had a full-time career with the US Department of Defense and when I retired in 2019, I launched a cottage business, Sweet Nubbins Boutique Bakery. This was a huge step for me but the journey has been so fulfilling! I’ve been able to make beautiful cookies as well as a variety of other gourmet sweets. I named my business after my two daughters, my sweet nubbins, Katie and Rebecca, who mean the world to me and have encouraged me every step of the way.
I’m proud of my sweets and believe that they must be as tasty as they are pretty! I only use the finest of ingredients and am eternally grateful for the kindness and support of the cookie community!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Generally speaking, I have had a smooth road since opening Sweet Nubbins Boutique Bakery in July 2019. I don’t have a business background and had to learn to navigate the Maryland regulations for cottage bakers to ensure that I was compliant and legal with MD regulations. This was a little challenging at times, but the cookie community is absolutely wonderful about sharing their experiences and information about starting a business.
Once I researched all the Maryland literature and spoke with the Maryland Department of Health I discovered that I could test my recipes for compliance with state regulations. Success! I was ready to go when COVID struck in March 2020. When everything shut down, I decided to keep decorating and trying new techniques. I posted my creations on social media, donated cookies to a local pre-school for teacher’s appreciation day, and used this “down” time to hone my business practices.
I also participated in a couple of outdoor festivals, getting to know other vendors. I’m very grateful for their support! As the world reopens, I’m finding that I must carefully manage my time. I do all the baking, decorating, and packaging and it’s extremely important to establish a routine and set priorities.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I just love to bake! I’m always experimenting with new recipes for cakes, cookies, chocolate treats, and marshmallows. However, my specialty is decorated sugar cookies. It’s my artistic outlet and I constantly strive to improve my decorating skills to make gorgeous cookies. I try not to compare myself with more experienced decorators, but it’s hard not to!
I think the work of these others motivates me to be more creative and to try new techniques. It’s especially important to me that my cookies taste delicious. It’s a high compliment when a client tells me that my cookies are not only beautiful, but they taste delicious, too. I also try to bring humor and whimsy to my designs. I think my designs are best when a client gives me artistic license in the cookies’ designs.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m happiest when I’m building or creating something that makes people smile. Also, everyone loves dessert! I think that’s why I love to bake, particularly the process of cookie decorating-taking a blank cookie canvas, and turning it into a beautiful scene or design. It’s so satisfying! Similarly, I like the process of building a business from scratch and watching it grow.
The success of Sweet Nubbins Boutique Bakery begins and ends with me. Owning your own business is hard work, but I hope that my cookies will add a special touch to that special occasion. Over the past five years, my decorating skills have greatly improved and I want to keep pushing myself to be better.
What else makes me happy? My family. I named my business for my daughters because they are my true inspiration. I value their advice and opinions and am so proud of the women they have become.
Contact Info:
- Email: sweetnubbinsbb@gmail.com
- Website: sweetnubbins.com
- Instagram: @sweetnubbinsboutiquebakery
- Facebook: sweetnubbinsboutiquebakery
Image Credits
Sweet Nubbins and Boutique Bakery
