You get to know people by seeing them in their school environment, but there are many mysteries that lie outside of the SHS stomping grounds. Junior, Kate Conley is commonly known as an art student and member of the girls hockey team, however very few of the student body witnesses the flour covered countertops, and buttery aroma bursting from her kitchen.
Conley has evolved a love and talent for baking into a home based business. Her routes all began while she was in Cushing Elementary School. She would bake when she got bored and made cakes for all her friends’ birthdays. Freshman year, word got out through friends and family and her once pastime became a business. JuniorMolly Palmer first tried Kate’s cupcakes at a team dinner. “Everyone was so surprised when she said she made them, and then she told me it was her business, and I thought it was a great idea” said Palmer.
Kate has sold her creations for events spanning from birthdays, to baby showers, wedding showers, holidays, and anniversaries. Although her main focus consists of cupcakes in vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet, she does not limit herself nor her customers to the brief menu. Conley has also made large cakes for customers, and is willing to make any dessert desired.
Her favorite part of baking is the creative side of it. “It’s fun to make to make designs with fondant because it’s basically edible clay, so I can make whatever I want with it and people can eat it too” said Conley.
Her finished products are not only mouthwatering, and delicious, they are also pieces of art. The majority of her sales have come from her sister’s friends, her mother’s coworkers, family friends, and even for the graduation party of former SHS student, Tess Walters.
Shortly she will be expanding her talents beyond the walls of her own kitchen, and will work at Sweet Life Bakery in Dorchester.
The Shaws’ Bakery does not compare to our friend and classmate, Kate Conley. Her business may be young and unnoticed now, but once you buy your first of Conley’s cupcakes, it will not be the last. You can reach Kate Conley at [email protected] for more information and interest.