Friday Feature: Rachel's Bake Lab

Welcome to the first Friday Feature on the new site. This week we are featuring Rachel's Bake Lab.  Owner Rachel Lipkin makes some amazing cookies. She will be pitching at the Shine & Brunch - Start Conference Edition run by The Passion Company on the 25th of October.  You can also meet her at the SF Etsy Inde Holiday Emporium being held on November 28th - 29th.

1. What is your Shop Name and URL ?
Rachel's Bake Lab 
www.rachelsbakelab.etsy.com

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SF Etsy 

3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
I bake home-made and from scratch cookies. I'm hoping to branch out soon to offer Vegan and GF options. 
I first started baking as a child with my father making chocolate chip cookies in our home in New Jersey. Eventually I got creative enough and became a more confident solo baker which led me to my job as an Assistant Baker for a Vegan and GF company in Hoboken, NJ called Om Sweet Home. 
A lot of the creative process is part what is in season and part what the consumer wants. I do my very best to experiment with flavors, but also listen to my customers and hear them out on what they want to see in my shop. 

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
I have traveled to over 24 countries, some of them include Poland, Japan, Vietnam, Ghana, and Israel. I also have my Masters in Library and Information Sciences.

​​5. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
Check out my site! rachelsbakelab.com 
Or follow me here:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelsbakelab 
https://twitter.com/rachelsbakelab

6. What inspires your creations?
I have always loved sweets and creating beautiful memories with friends and family always involves some type of food. My creations are direct inspirations of memories I've had where I've experienced some blend of joy, adventure, bliss, and nostalgia. 
I hope my cookies can bring friends and family together in experiencing a joyful and happy moment. 

7. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite is the Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie! It's been my favorite for a long time mainly because it's light and sweet and ultra velvety. Often it reminds people of a Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bar. This cookie is also a great companion when eating ice cream! 

8. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
My proudest moment was very recently actually. I love small goals because they are easier to accomplish and you maintain that sense of satisfaction so my first goal once opening the shop four months ago was to start selling to complete strangers. I've sold mainly to friends and family and friends of friends, but it wasn't until just a few weeks ago that I sold to my first stranger! 


9. If you had to live out the rest of your life as a famous fictional character, who would you be and why?
Hermione Granger, hands down. I am a huge Harry Potter fan to say the least. Hermione is smart, passionate, emotional, well-versed, and fiercely independent. All things I admire and strive to became as I grow. 

10. What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you, and how has it affected your life?
We live in a very consumer based society and I feel that getting back to the original source of the product can really bring together a community of people and create lasting memories associated with that product. I believe buying local and handmade means so much more than the act of buying, it means creating relationships and memories and those are priceless. 
Selling locally means I get the amazing opportunity to get to know my own town, neighbors, and community and sometimes that community is spread across our wonderful nation. Connecting with people all over the country allows for anyone, anywhere to create a network of relationships that just doesn't exist in a department store.
Overall, selling and buying handmade and local products has had only positive affects on my life. It has allowed me the opportunity to get to know my awesome neighbors! How cool is that?

11. What's next for you?
I hope to start selling at local fairs, shows, events, and markets! But I also hope to open up a Vegan Only section on my site in-order to fill the high demand and requests I receive from my customers. 

Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please fill out the form here.