Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Holmes.
Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved being in the kitchen and creating really delicious things! Twenty years ago when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I took a cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby. I fell in love with the craft and dabbled over the years in creating beautiful cakes for family and friends. That hobby kind of fizzled out because of life and raising children, but the love for creating was always there. In May of 2025 my best friend, Crystal Dancy, reached out to me and asked if I could make sugar cookies for her daughter’s high school graduation party. I told her I didn’t think I would be any good at it, but I would practice. I practiced on a few cookies that I baked and to be honest, they looked terrible! I was certainly not confident enough to make and decorate cookies for other people, so I declined the request. That led me to research cookie decorating classes, so just like I had done 20 years ago with cake decorating classes, I signed up for a class at a local orchard in Mt Juliet. I took that class in June of 2025 and loved it. My work wasn’t great but I saw potential in myself. From there I practiced constantly and made cookies for family, friends, co-workers, and my daughters’ friends. That exposure quickly led to paid clients and the rest has been history. People love sugar cookies for all occasions and I am very thankful I get to create beautiful cookies for customers every week. I am blown away by how far I have come in just one year and I am excited about what is to come in the near future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a smooth road because I am having fun, going at my own pace, and learning along the way! I am 100% in control of how many orders I take on and the skill level that I’m comfortable with. Every order that I receive is an opportunity to further develop my skill set and learn new techniques and recipes. The only struggle I really have with operating a small cottage bakery is not having enough hours in the day!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an executive assistant at the Tennessee Education Association and have been employed there for 16 years. I am the assistant to the executive director and the president. I am most proud of the longevity that I have achieved with TEA and all of the relationships that have I built with co-workers and members of the organization. I think a few attributes that set me apart is my can-do attitude, my willingness and eagerness to serve others, and my ability to relate to those I work closely with.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
There are a lot of qualities and characteristics that help in my success. I have always been a creative person with a bit of an artistic flare, so creating art has always come naturally to me. I am always open to learning and experimenting. I am never afraid to try something at least once and I am firm believer that if it doesn’t work out the first time, there is nothing wrong with trying again. I think it is really important to be organized and to be a good communicator with customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://siftinquiry.com/order/ldyes5
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernbloombakeryco
