Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Wallace.
Hi Brandy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up watching my Mommy (yes, I still call her Mommy!) baking cookies and cakes, so being in the kitchen has always felt like home to me. While I make cakes today, cookies are really where my story began.
I was working at a call center, and during breaks our only options were a dollar store or a few fast-food places across the street. There wasn’t really anything homemade, so every Friday I started bringing in fresh-baked cookies for my coworkers. What started as treats for my team quickly grew into coworkers from all over the building searching for the desk of the “Cookie Girl.”
A few years later, the company was sold and we all moved on to different jobs, but I kept the tradition going. Whether I was working at a restaurant or another office, I continued baking cookies and cupcakes every Friday. I loved seeing how something as simple as a homemade treat could boost morale and give people something to look forward to. Seeing my coworkers genuinely excited for Fridays made me realize that baking was about so much more than dessert—it was about creating joy and connection.
I started my business for many reasons, but one of the biggest was wanting to continue creating those moments of happiness for others. Today, through every cookie, cake, and dessert I make, my goal is still the same: to bring people together and be a small part of their celebrations and special memories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s true for many small business owners. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the financial investment and time commitment that come with growing a business.
Recently, I’ve started participating in more markets and vendor events, which I absolutely love because they allow me to connect with the community face-to-face. However, those opportunities often come with application fees, vendor fees, or both, and those expenses can add up quickly. In some cases, even if an event is canceled due to weather, the fees still have to be paid. There’s also no guarantee of what each event will bring in financially. You can estimate, but you never truly know.
I also dedicate a great deal of time to personalizing every order. I love getting to know my clients, hearing their stories, and creating desserts that become part of their celebrations and memories. But that level of care takes time. Many days I’m on my feet for hours, and because most orders are due on Saturdays, it often means sacrificing weekends that I could be spending with my husband and daughters.
While there have certainly been challenges, I remain incredibly grateful. Every order means the world to me because customers have countless options available to them. They could easily choose a grocery store bakery, but they choose to support my small business instead. That support means more than gold to me, and it motivates me to keep going and continue pouring my heart into everything I create.
As any small business owner knows, additional resources such as grants or business funding can make a tremendous difference. They provide opportunities for growth, allow for investment back into the business, and help turn long-term dreams into sustainable realities. Until then, I continue taking things one order at a time with gratitude and determination.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Bradby Lane Bakery, I create custom cakes and desserts that help people celebrate some of life’s most meaningful moments. From birthdays and weddings to everyday celebrations, I love being able to create something that not only tastes delicious but also becomes part of a special memory.
Although cakes are what many people know me for today, cookies will always hold a special place in my heart because they’re where my journey began. Over the years, my business has grown to include a variety of desserts, but my approach has remained the same: I want every client to feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
What I’m most proud of is the trust that my community has placed in my business. Being chosen to create desserts for someone’s wedding, a child’s birthday, or another important milestone is something I never take for granted. I’m also incredibly honored by the recognition Bradby Lane Bakery has received over the years, including being voted among the best cake businesses in RVA. Those moments are a reflection of the amazing support from my clients and community.
I believe what sets me apart is the personal connection I build with my clients. I genuinely enjoy getting to know their stories, understanding their vision, and creating desserts that feel unique to them. For me, it’s never just about making a cake—it’s about being a small part of someone’s celebration and helping create joyful memories that last long after the last slice is served.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is family. Without family, none of this would truly mean anything.
Family is the reason I renamed my business, Bradby Lane Bakery, after my grandfather. It was important to me to honor the people who shaped me and the values they instilled in me. Family has always been at the heart of who I am, and naturally, it became the heart of my business as well.
When I really think about it, nearly every order I create centers around family. Weddings unite families, birthdays celebrate them, and baby showers welcome new additions to them. Even at vendor events, it’s often one family member—a sister, a mother, a father, or even a little one excited about a sweet treat—who stops by first. Through conversations and word of mouth, those connections often grow into serving entire families during some of their most meaningful moments.
I feel incredibly grateful that I get to play a small role in these celebrations. Creating desserts isn’t just about baking for me; it’s about helping families make memories together. In many ways, family is both my foundation and my purpose, and that’s why it matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BradbyLaneBakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/@BradbyLaneBakery
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/BradbyLaneBakery
- Twitter: @BradbyLaneBakery
- Youtube: https://www.Youtube.com/BradbyLaneBakery
- Other: TikTok @BradbyLaneBakery
