Going For Her Dreams

Going For Her Dreams

BY MARLA BALLARD

REPORTER

Bamabell62@gmail.com

Rainsville, Ala. -- Teryn Patterson has had an at-home business for four years, she bakes cookies. She wanted to stay at home with her children, but still find a way to work. Baking cookies for friends and family was something she commonly did and got requests for more, so she decided to see if starting her own business would work. “I’m a strong believer in going for what you are dreaming about,” said Teryn.

“I started with my grandmother, Joyce Buttram’s, recipe,” said Teryn. “I tweaked it just a bit to make it my own, but it comes from her originally.” Teryn said the most difficult part was getting the icing the right consistency. “It took me time to figure it out, but I stuck with it until I did.” In addition to the typical icing, she also paints cookies.

Teryn said she watched tons of YouTube videos on how to paint cookies. “It takes hours to paint a cookie, because you have to wait for a layer to dry much the same way an artist waits for a layer of paint to dry,” said Teryn. “It can sometimes take two days to complete a batch that is intricate in detail and has several layers of paint.”

There isn’t any design that Teryn won’t attempt. Of course, the typical holiday designs are among her most commonly ordered, but she has a long list of unique cookies she has made for various events. She has made cookies in the designs of baseballs, dinosaurs, cows, for gender reveal parties, engagements, weddings, baby showers, graduations, baby dedications/christening, first day of school, retirement, sports teams, nurse week, vacation destinations, thank you cookies, camping, John Deere, super heroes, business openings with business logo, sold-the-home for realtors, and more. Teryn said she gets a lot of her ideas from customers, TikTok, and Pinterest.

In addition to choosing the design customers may choose the flavor of cookie. Flavors include; sugar, strawberry, coconut, blueberry, lemon, orange, pineapple, banana, and more. She also makes something called a hot chocolate bomb, call to ask about this interesting sweet treat.

Teryn advertises on Facebook and Instagram and says word of mouth keeps her in business. “I have regular customers that I truly appreciate,” said Teryn. “I also appreciate all of the customers that spread the word about my cookies.” There have been weeks when she has received orders that had her making 25 to 30 dozen cookies. On her busier weeks her mother, Terri Wilborn, steps in and assists her in the kitchen.

Generally, porch pickup is how purchases are arranged. Scottsboro customers may make pre-arrangements to pick up at Teryn’s sister’s business, located in Scottsboro.

To order cookies call 256-996-8553.

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