Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Roiter.
Melissa , can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My business started over 11 years ago out of my home. It was called Yummy Mummy Brownies. Based on my grandmother’s recipe, I baked and sold over 20 different varieties. When I started my business, my triplets were 2 years old. I was a momtrepreneur! I sold the brownies at farmer’s market and online. My business grew and grew until after 8 years, I could no longer do it out of my home. I had taken up too much of my house with ovens and extra refrigerators in the basement, freezers in the garage and the only things to eat were eggs, butter, sugar and chocolate.
I thus decided to open a retail bakery. I had a small space for 3 1/2 years that enabled me to “get started” and just moved in July to a bigger, newer location down the street. Location is key! At the bakery, we specialize in brownies (of course!) as well as other American sweets like cookies, cupcakes, coconut bundt cake, bars, cake pops, etc. My kids are now 13 years old and I juggle being a single mom to 3 teenagers as well as running a growing business. It is exciting and always challenging.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have had to learn many life lessons along my journey! From learning how to incorporate a business, to getting my food certifications/permits to negotiating my leases, it has been a challenge. I am learning as I go, sometimes the hard way. Struggles include being a single mom and finding work/life balance, learning how to stand up for myself in business matters like my bakery build out, negotiating best prices on ingredients, managing an every growing staff, being organized and being a fair yet effective boss.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Yummy Mummy Bakery story. Tell us more about the business.
Yummy Mummy Bakery specializes in homemade, all American sweets. Our best seller is our brownies and our most popular varieties are salted caramel, peanut butter, espresso and cheesecake. We also make cookies, cakes, bars, muffins, etc. Everything is made from scratch and I am at a point now that I know that everything that leaves the bakery is going to be delicious! I am so proud that we use simple ingredients, time, knowledge and skill to make all that we sell really good. We are different from other bakeries because we use recipes that call for real ingredients and make everything fresh. You can truly taste the difference.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have definitely been in the right place at the right time in some instances. However, I believe more in hard work than in luck.
Pricing:
- Gift Box of 6, with shipping, $36
- Gift Box of 12, with shipping, $60
Contact Info:
- Address: Yummy Mummy Bakery
50 East Main Street
Westborough, MA 01581 - Website: yummymummybrownies.com
- Phone: 508-366-4200
- Email: melissa@yummymummybrownies.com
- Instagram: yummymummybakery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YummyMummyBrownies/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yummy-mummy-bakery-westborough
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
