The Baking Coach, Lisa Basini
With SCORE's support, Lisa has achieved several milestones for her business. Winning SCORE's 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition in Philadelphia was a profound highlight in her journey. The mentorship she received in preparation for the competition and the funding she won allowed her to invest further in marketing, product development and machinery.
Recently, with guidance from her SCORE mentors, she's been able to scale operations, invest in eco-friendly packaging, and expand her popular product line of baking kits, including her edible cookie dough kits. As a result of this growth, she hired additional employees and plans to increase neurodivergent representation to 40%.
The Baking Coach offers baking and cake decorating classes and innovative baking kits. The company's signature product is its edible cookie dough kits, which allow customers to mix dough directly in the bag, minimizing mess and making baking accessible for all ages and abilities.
The Baking Coach also offers instructional videos to cater to various learning styles. What sets Lisa's business apart is its commitment to inclusivity—20% of her workforce is neurodivergent or differently-abled, and she plans to increase that number. She is also expanding her product line and incorporating eco-friendly packaging, making her business both creative and socially responsible.
Lisa was inspired to start The Baking Coach after realizing her passion for teaching baking and cake decorating to people of all ages and abilities. What began as one-on-one classes grew into a successful business offering innovative, mess-free baking kits, including her popular edible cookie dough kits.
Lisa's desire to make baking accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their skill level, led her to create a company that combines creativity with inclusivity.
The Baking Coach is committed to making baking accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Lisa started her business by teaching baking and cake decorating to people of all ages and abilities.
Her standout product, edible cookie dough kits, offers a mess-free, fun baking experience that anyone can use. In addition to innovation, Lisa's business stands out for its inclusivity—20% of its workforce is neurodivergent or differently-abled. Her vision is to provide not just great baking experiences, but also job opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
Lisa sought help from SCORE as her business grew, and she realized she needed expert guidance to navigate new challenges. When she decided to scale The Baking Coach and expand her product line, Lisa turned to SCORE for marketing, distribution and operational advice.
Having worked with several SCORE mentors over the years, she valued their specialized expertise, whether it was in marketing or packaging machinery, to help her make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. SCORE's mentorship has been a key factor in her ability to adapt, especially as her business continues to evolve.
Over the years, Lisa has worked with various SCORE mentors, each providing specialized expertise to address her needs at different stages. One mentor helped her with marketing strategies; another shared invaluable insights on packaging and distribution machinery. "I could have made more mistakes without getting their expert advice. But thanks to SCORE, it saved me. It made me make better decisions for my business," Lisa said.
In addition, she learned the importance of financial planning and customer relationships, which are essential skills for her company's growth. For Lisa, having a team of experts who genuinely want to see her succeed has been transformative, and she's grateful for their role in her journey.
"Every SCORE mentor that I've spoken to has been an amazing, trustworthy source, where you can ask a question and feel comfortable enough to know that they're here specifically to help you," says Lisa. "Their encouragement and expert advice has been essential in the success and growth of my business."
Lisa encourages new and experienced small business owners to take advantage of SCORE's resources and mentorship. She believes that SCORE can make a significant difference and suggests coming with an open mind, as SCORE mentors provide honest, constructive feedback that can help you avoid costly mistakes and make better decisions.
"By calling SCORE, it'll be the best decision you ever make. They'll help you think of things that maybe you wouldn't have thought of on your own just by giving you their expert advice," Lisa says.
Lisa highly recommends SCORE to anyone seeking growth, as it helps entrepreneurs think beyond what they might do on their own. "Being an entrepreneur can sometimes be a super lonely place. And you don't have to do this alone. So reach out to SCORE, and they will be there to give you the advice you need when you need it," Lisa says.
I help SCORE clients plan, start and grow a business, including budgeting, sales and marketing, and...
