Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Lazarus.
Hi Kim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was a graphic designer for 20 years and a stay at home mom. As my kids became self sufficient at home I decided it was time to transition because I wanted to do more ministry work. I shut down my design business in order to focus solely on writing a book about my faith.
On a break from writing (while scrolling on social media) I stumbled across a video of a lady making biscuits with just a few ingredients. I thought to myself, I can do that so I tried it. The biscuits tasted awful but I thoroughly enjoyed making them. So I set out to find a recipe that was a little more palatable. I did this for 6 months until I was satisfied. Once I had the basic biscuits recipe it was time to prepare them with a meal. The meal happened to be a seafood boil so I decided to spruce those biscuits up with some seafood and they were a hit.
I started sharing them with neighbors and family and my Bible study group and they all became my first customers and started spreading the word. Definitely not what I was doing it for but my family and I love to serve and feed people so it was a very natural progression.
A few posts by friends got noticed and I started getting messages from other small businesses to be a supplier. (wine bar and cafes and coffee shops) I did that for a few months and also started doing vendor events. One specific one was at Tanger Outlets. I think I did about 2-3 of them and then out of the blue they reached out and asked if I wanted to have a permanently location. Whoa!!! I was NOT prepared. But I trusted the Lord with it and with the support of my family I accepted the opportunity.
Before I ever sell a biscuit I have a heart to serve. After being at home for so many years this was my chance to be out in public and share the gifts God has given me including baking. It has been a learning curve but the process has been amazing to see God provide.
We are currently in our second year and quickly approaching our busiest day of Black Friday. My daughter and I will probably be baking 12hrs straight. What a blessing!!!
We don’t know what the future holds but we are going to be thankful and keep going until God closes the door.
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 wouldn’t say we’ve had any struggles only opportunities to learn more about the business. Permits, supply and demand, DHEC, ghost kitchens, customer service, taxes, payroll, licenses, cost/benefit analysis, inventory tracking etc.
Whew, I just wanted to play in flour and bake biscuits.
I did have one incident where an employee the day before our grand opening had switched my salt for sugar. God Himself must have told me to check them in the containers and sure enough we had to stay up half the night to remake all of the biscuits for our opening. BUT GOD!!!
Life is going to do what it’s going to do. We just have to learn to breathe, assess the situation, adjust and keep moving.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I went to school for Architecture. I wanted to design houses. In school we did everything but that and when I realized how long it would take to get licensed I said no thank you to the field. Shortly after graduation, with the support of my fiancé at the time, I decided to go back to school for Computer Graphics & Design. I started classes and got married in the same month. I was Co-Valedictorian of my class.
My work has ended up in places I never would have expected. On a billboard, on the inside of elevator doors in a hotel or in Africa!!! All a surprise to me.
I believe what sets me apart is it’s never about the money. I do what I enjoy doing and what I’m good at and God rewards me by keeping some change in my pocket and I get to support my husband and we get to do what we enjoy: eat well and travel
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What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My success is not contingent on material things or how much money I make.
I care about people first!! I don’t sweat the small stuff. My desire is to help people get through the day a little easier. If I can do that with a smile or a hello great, praise God. If I can do that with biscuits, well hallelujah.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Itsallinthebiscuit.com
- Instagram: @itsallinthebiscuit
- Facebook: It’s All In The biscuit
