Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Cernera.
Hi Christina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up I always loved to bake and that continued into adulthood. Any chance I got I would bake anything and everything. When Covid happened, I needed a creative outlet and wanted to try something new so I thought, I’ll try decorated sugar cookies. I watched a few videos, talked to some friends that did it and decorated my first cookie in August 2020. I was hooked. I sold my first cookies that October and by June 2021 I quit my career to pursue cookies full time. My husband and I ended up purchasing a used worksite trailer, gutted it, and turned it into my cookie studio. I was getting busier and wanted to expand but I couldn’t do that working out of my cookie studio yet I knew I wouldn’t be able to carry the overhead of a brick & mortar just doing cookies. Then one day it hit me, what if I had a supply store that carried our favorite brands we use. Most of us cookiers buy supplies from small businesses primarily in the US so how great would it be to carry them in one place. So I set out to create a business plan, talk to these companies and turn this dream into a reality. August 2023 I signed my lease in Old Town Warrenton and November 2023 The Boujee Baker Boutique, home of Stormy Acres Cookies opened our doors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is any part of starting and opening a business a smooth road?!?! HAHA. Being an entrepreneur isn’t supposed to be smooth or easy, otherwise everyone would do it!
My first challenge was a business plan…I knew nothing. I reached out to the SBDC and worked them to help. They gave me the basics but I had to do the work. It was a long and grueling process but a necessary one.
Time. I think one of the biggest challenges is the time that goes into running a business. I work long hours, 12-16 hours a day, sometimes 7 days a week. Thats hard on relationships whether with spouses, friends or family. It’s taken me nearly 5 years and I finally feel like I’m figuring out a balance.
Realizing I wasn’t gonna be able to just decorate cookies. From finances, to social media/marketing, to finding, training, keeping employees…there’s just a never ending to-do list
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Boujee Baker Boutique & Stormy Acres Cookies?
The Boujee Baker Boutique grew from my love of cookie decorating and the business I originally built around it, Stormy Acres Cookies. What started as a custom cookie business has grown into something much bigger—a brick-and-mortar boutique that brings together custom cookies, baking and cookie decorating supplies, classes, and a community of people who love to create.
Today, the Boutique really has two sides. Through Stormy Acres Cookies, I create custom decorated sugar cookies for everything from birthdays and baby showers to weddings, corporate events and other special occasions. Every set is designed specifically for the client, and I’ve become known for detailed, cohesive designs that feel elevated while still being fun and personal.
The Boujee Baker Boutique was created with fellow bakers and cookie artists in mind. We carry supplies, packaging and unique products that I actually use and understand as a working cookie decorator. I think that’s one of the things that sets us apart—I don’t just sell these products; I know this industry firsthand and understand what bakers are looking for.
We also offer cookie decorating classes, which have become one of my favorite parts of the business. They’re designed to be approachable and fun, whether someone has never touched a piping bag before or already loves decorating.
What I’m most proud of is how much the brand has evolved while still feeling like me. It’s creative, a little extra (like me), welcoming and never too serious. I’ve been able to take something I genuinely love and turn it into a business that not only allows me to create, but also gives other people the tools, inspiration and space to create too.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was sassy and stubborn and loved to argue. I wanted to be a lawyer (till I took for my first intro to law class).
I did sports like softball, gymnastics then cheerleading which I loved and did for over 10 years. I enjoyed seeing friends and I loved animals. From a young age I had to grow up very quickly, I had to learn and adapt to situations. My childhood was more challenging than easy and I ended up moving out of my house shortly after my 18th birthday. While it may have been challenging, it made me who I am today, a self driven, passionate, resilient woman who doesn’t let anything stand in my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boujeebakerboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boujeebakerboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boujeebakerboutique
