Imagine walking into work everyday with the delightful smells of Madagascar bourbon vanilla and melted European butter in the air. Dreamy, right!? For Nikkie Byrd, co-owner of Sage Cakery in Urbana, Maryland, this dream became a reality when she put her entrepreneur hat on and opened her own bake shop.
Sage Cakery is a bake shop and cafe specializing in custom cakes and small batch, made-from-scratch desserts. Nikkie uniquely combines her herbalism experience with her artistic baking skills to create traditional and contemporary flavors.
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About The Business: Sage Cakery
Sage specializes in custom cakes. But they also make other desserts like cupcakes, mini cupcakes, dessert bars, cookies, cakesicles, macarons, cake pops, and cocoa bombs! They bake entirely from scratch — zero mixes, zero added preservatives. The cakery also uses non-GMO and organic ingredients, and offers many allergy safe options including gluten-free and vegan options.
Their customers’ needs and requests vary. On the same day they may serve folks looking for fun desserts for an event, people looking for custom cakes and detail oriented edible art, or brides and grooms (they do lots and lots of weddings). Plus, if you’re a Frederick local, stop by the shop and visit. You’ll find a place with good vibes, great coffee and, of course, your pick of amazing desserts!
Becoming an Entrepreneur
For Nikkie, cake decorating started as a hobby. She began baking as a child — starting in her grandma’s kitchen making Christmas cookies. But, she also had an entrepreneurial spirit. Since age 15, Nikkie knew she wanted to own and build her own business. After almost 20 years baking and decorating wedding cakes as a side hustle, she decided Sage Cakery was the business she was meant to run!
The Day to Day
A typical day is filled with lots of baking, of course! Ingredients are mixed and smoothed for frosting almost constantly. Detail oriented fingers will be making figurines and decorations with fondant and gum paste. At Sage Cakery, you’ll find lots of music and laughter, but also lots of focus and hard work.
But, Nikkie also loves doing things outside the bakery. She is a mother and partner, as well as a sneaker freak! She enjoys taking things slow through nature and gardening. But you can also find her dreaming of fast cars.
Kim is the owner and publisher of Sass Magazine, as well as the owner of Sass Studios, a boutique graphic design studio in Frederick, MD. When not in the office, Kim can be found doing some of her favorite hobbies—reading a book, dancing, traveling, or playing with her rescued pitbull.
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