Over quarantine, local home-school sophomore Ava Burman wanted to improve her baking skills. She started to make more cakes, eventually leading to the creation of Ava BakerGirl.

     Burman practiced baking and decorating cakes all summer in order to meet her goal to open the business by November, before the holidays. By October, she was able to open the official Facebook page. “I put out some vague options for people to order, but was also open to make whatever they requested,” the young baker says.

     Burman’s business is personal, though her family helps her get ingredients. “It’s definitely been a learning experience, seeing how to run a small business.”

     “Oftentimes, when I have an order for a birthday cake it’s a two day project,” Burman starts, “Cake layers one day, then decorating and delivery the next. Splitting it up gives me more time for school each day.”

     “It takes plenty of focusing to get each cake how I want it, but it’s also fun and creative,” Burman says. “I see ideas on the internet or one of the cookbooks. A lot of new things I’ve tried or made [are] because people come up with all sorts of either, either for orders or just suggestions.”

     When making her cakes, she needs to think far ahead about all the materials and ingredients that will be needed, including decoration and packaging. “I need to think how I want to decorate it, and buy accordingly,” she explains. “I make the cakes by scratch, make the frosting while they cool, [then] decorate.”

     The GRADE has enjoyed the experience of learning how to run a small business. She hopes to continue to grow and expand her company in the future. “A far out goal of mine is to eventually have my own real bakery shop.”

     Her business is mostly run via Facebook. “I like to post often about new items to keep interest up.”

     “One thing I didn’t expect was how long it actually takes to make and decorate a cake,” Burman says.

     One time in November, Burman was asked to give baking lessons to someone as a Christmas present. “For each of those lessons I figured out what to bake, and timing and all that.”

     Burman’s Facebook page, “Ava BakerGirl,” contains contact information and updates about new cakes and bakery items. You can reach her at [email protected], or from her number at 443-987-7125. “Remember to contact Ava BakerGirl for dessert on the next special occasion,” Burman finishes.