Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesli Patton.
Hi Lesli, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a baker both professionally and privately for 20+ years. I started as a hobby baker and at some point it became a life skill when I found myself a single mom of 2 children under 4. It was extremely difficult making ends meet. I remember selling my wedding ring to put gas in my car and groceries in the fridge. I used baking as a way to earn extra money to survive. I eventually moved back to my hometown and ran the bakery at our college. Several years later I decided to continue my education and move into the medical field to pursue a job with better pay & better benefits. I worked in the medical field for 10 years, all the while still holding onto the steady passion for baking. I found my hobby baking becoming more popular and eventually it had grown into another full time job. I knew at that point I needed to make a decision on which career to keep. I decided that baking was what truly made me happy and last May, I left my medical job to become a full time cottage baker. I have not regretted one minute of my decision.
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?
I’ve had many nights, especially when I was working full time in the medical field, that I would work my 10 hour job and come home to work on my orders. I had many nights that my alarm to wake up to get ready for work would go off and I was still in the kitchen working. I’d go get ready for work and continue on with no sleep for about 36 hours. Nights like that were really what gave me the courage to make a life change and have faith in myself. I felt that my joy and passion would show through in my work and that others would receive it in a very tangible way. I’ll never forget, nor take for granted, the struggle and hard work that I went through to become the woman I am today. I know I had to have these experiences and I hope that this can give someone the spark of hope and encouragement to believe in themselves and know that you can overcome anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a full time cottage baker. I make custom cakes, cupcakes, petit fours, gourmet cookies, designer cookies, breads, brownies/bars, jams/jellies, old fashioned candies & more.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly no. I do listen to a lot of podcasts and music while working but none are related to what I do. Lot’s of true crime lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theheirloomapron.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_heirloom_apron?igsh=YzZpZG50bW9vY29k
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bs26jjrSZ/
- Other: https://bakesy.shop/b/the-heirloom-apron
