Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Nyquist-Walsh.
Hi Carrie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After almost 20 years in education, I was fortunate enough to find myself in a position where I could take a leap and attempt a personal goal, which was culinary school. With the support of my husband and a blessing from my mom after she passed away, I left my career as a school librarian and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of Charleston as a student in the Baking and Pastry program.
So many of my childhood memories involve food. My family heritage on my mother’s side is Italian American and even if we weren’t aware of it at the time, we were definitely brought up with food as the center of our celebrations and holidays. I have so many amazing memories of monthly homemade pizza nights, HUGE Christmas Eve dinners, birthdays that always included our favorite foods (my mom’s chicken cutlets are still a part of every family celebration and even though we have her recipe, my sister and I agree there’s definitely ONE thing she left out or didn’t think was important because ours just don’t come out exactly like hers), Father’s Day with a table loaded with fresh lobster and steamers from Plymouth, MA, Italian pastries my Nana and Auntie would buy at their local Italian bakery. I could go on and on. Baking for me is like giving my customers a piece of my childhood. I love baking for a family’s celebration or special occasion. I love when customers come back year after year because buying cookies from me during their vacation has become a family tradition. They send me pictures of their children and grandchildren decorating cookies with my cookie kits or “painting” their cookies with my paint your own cookies. I’m a small piece of their family memories.
Since opening my business, Teaspoons and Tablespoons, in January 0f 2020, I’ve been selling my cookies at select market and events in Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island, and Edisto Beach. My greatest personal achievement was being accepted as a vendor at the Historic Charleston City Night Market in downtown Charleston at the Historic Charleston City Market. Each night I’m at the market, I’m always reminded of the history of the vendors who have been selling their creations in that same location for since 1807!
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?
So many struggles! From being one of the older students in culinary school (many of my classmates had just graduated from high school), to starting a business two months before the pandemic, through learning how to actually run a small business, it’s been a journey! My business is just me, so I’m the head baker, lead dishwasher, social media marketer, customer service representative, salesperson, shopper, IT specialist, bookkeeper, etc.
I think one of the most challenging aspects of running a small business is marketing. And not just through social media. I would say 90% of my customers find me at a market or event first and then follow my social media posts to see what’s new or where they can find me. I love engaging with people in person!
Charleston is a foodie city and people visit from all over the world. I think that makes me work even harder to deliver a top quality product and service.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Teaspoons and Tablespoons is a Charleston, SC home based baking business. I specialize in gourmet and decorated sugar cookies. I’m known for my rotating menu of cookie flavors (Banana Pudding, S’Mores, and classic Chocolate Chip are my best sellers) and my decorated cookies, especially during the holidays. I use high quality ingredients and all of my cookies are baked in small batches. I’m always experimenting with new cookie flavors inspired by my own personal experiences and travel. As soon as
got home from a recent trip to Key West, FL, I couldn’t wait to experiment with a Key Lime Pie cookie!
I’m grateful that my business is so busy I can now only take a limited number of custom orders throughout the year.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Support local small business! It’s as easy as sharing or commenting on a social media post, referring a friend, and most of all, buying local! My markets and events are always shared across my social media accounts and customers can always contact me through my website (teaspoonsandtablespoons.com) if they’re planning a visit to Charleston or the surrounding area for information of where they can buy cookies. Due to federal regulations, I am not able to ship cookies nationwide.
Pricing:
- Gourmet cookies starting at $5 each
- Decorated cookies starting at $60 per dozen
Contact Info:
- Website: https://teaspoonsandtablespoons.com/
- Instagram: @teaspoonsandtablespoons
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teaspoonsandtablespoonsllc
