Of Cookies and Courage

Being retired, whatever that means, I (Cutest here) am no longer part of assorted business networking groups that I used to unfaithfully attend. Between more corporate gigs, I used to be, and meet, many entrepreneurs and was often inspired by their stories.

I just saw evidence that entrepreneurism is alive and well, if one is willing to work really hard.  

At the Union Hill Garden Tour several months ago, we met a young woman who was selling baked goods in front of her home.  Of course we bought a couple things – a delicious chocolate chip cookie for Cute and the best shortbread I think I’ve ever had. Brown butter rosemary.

She, Andrea Rainey, mentioned she was opening her own bakery in midtown.  And so she has.

Andrea has been a nurse for 18 years, primarily in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit PICU/CICU (teens, children and babies after open heart surgery) and she still works for Children's Mercy two days a week. She named her place Morning Rounds and it’s open at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m. (Wednesday – Sunday) in order to serve health care workers and other early risers like teachers.  She doesn’t sell a huge number of items compared to other bakeries I suppose, just what she’s perfected. Go to her website, morningroundsbakery.com and take a look.

Andrea’s business card reads “Dreamer ~ Baker ~ Lush Dessert Maker.  That first word is where it all starts and then the rest is hard work, perseverance, risk tolerance, planning, organization, passion and probably another ten important qualities. I could google it. I just know it’s cool to see it all combined into one person who’s "just" done what she dreamed. She is quick to give credit to the SBA for a loan and the small business development centers (SBDC) out of JCCC and UMKC.

She already has three wonderful employees, she says, not including her dad who comes in from Topeka two days a week to help out. They have the same happy smile. (Bottom right pic)

Talking to Andrea and sampling her baked goods sorta makes me wish I still lived in Crown Center so that 19^th Terrace would be closer to us. It’s still not that far. We go further for less.

That's all, she wrote.