Totally inspired by Sophia Amoruso’s book of the same name, Girl Boss is a series focused on fierce, determined women who go with their gut and create their dream businesses in the process.
I’ve been internet buds with Tiffany from Dough and a Dear for awhile now. She’s one of those people that I can’t for the life of me remember how I connected with, but I know I can count on her social media for a nice hunk of snarky reality and some giggles. Also, I can count on her to make me drool with pictures of her pretty doughnuts. It doesn’t matter that I can’t eat them (gluten, I’m fist shaking at you!). Just looking at them makes me happy.
As Tiffany launches a Kickstarter to take her doughnut biz out of her little kitchen and into a secondhand food truck, I thought it would be a great time to take a look at a total boss as she tries to uplevel her dream.
Tell me a little bit about your business. When did you start it? What inspired you to get it going?
Dough and a Dear is (currently) a home-based doughnut shop! I create made-to-order doughnuts for special events and parties.
A few years ago, I bought some doughnut pans and cranked out dozens of baked goods. I was hooked. After posting a few photos of them on Facebook and Instagram, I got my first order! To say I was ill-prepared would be an understatement.
I didn’t know how to price my product, I didn’t have any perfected recipes, I didn’t even have business cards. I hand-stamped a stack of cards to leave with the venue! It was a mess! But to quote another blonde boss lady, Amy Poehler, “Great people do things before they’re ready.” And ready I was not.
That’s why I will always be so appreciative that the Haney’s hired me to bake for their wedding. They gave me my first taste of baking for a crowd and a boost in my confidence.
How do you balance life and running your business?
I’m completely unbalanced! My attempt at having one iota of control in my life was meal planning last week, but then I had popcorn and hot tea for dinner yesterday.
I’m too excited about planning and projects to worry myself sick about eating right and groomer’s appointments! It catches up with me every few weeks and I need to reset. So I’ll start a new book or crochet something small to get my head straight. Otherwise, I make a lot of lists and my calendar is crucial.
Does being a woman effect your business?
I think it can be easy to fall back on “cute.” I make doughnuts, for Pete’s sake! They’re the epitome of cute, in all their sweet, sprinkle-filled goodness. But just because I work in a sweet business, doesn’t mean I’m soft. I work hard! I tweak and work out each recipe and sweat over the fryer. Each time I hear, “YOU made these?” I feel proud! Then I fist bump myself… because girls rule.
What inspires you creatively?
Oh gosh—everything. I have a crazy sweet tooth, so I’m always trying to make other desserts into doughnuts. Other doughnut shops, of course. Nostalgic childhood snacks. I’m always scouring Pinterest to see what people seem to be interested in. I like to rummage through the dollar store or HomeGoods to see what totally obscure ingredients I can find to work with.
Do you have any procrastination techniques that you always fall back on? How do you break out of them?
Social media consumes my life. I’ll be sifting through #doughnuts #donuts #donutdiaries and suddenly an hour has gone by and I’m watching comedians reading their childhood diaries aloud onstage. I don’t quite have it all figured out yet.
(PS if you’re looking for a distraction—which you absolutely shouldn’t be…—download theberry app!)
Do you have any tips for other ladies who are looking to turn their passion into a business?
Just, say yes. It’s been my mantra of the year (thanks, Tina Fey!). You have no idea what you’re capable of until you just do it.
Tiffany’s Kickstarter is running through July 11th. Help her take her business to the next level by contributing to her $30,000 goal. If you don’t have any extra cash, simply sharing this post or her Kickstarter page would be just as helpful!
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Hi! I'm Jen, a freelance writer and girl mom who loves reading the newest children’s books as much as I love a good psychological thriller. I believe fiercely in the power of kindness, empathy, and really good quality chocolate. When I'm not knee-deep in glittery crafts and girl talk, you can probably find me sprawled out on my couch in the middle of a Netflix marathon with dark chocolate smeared on my face. The struggle is real. 
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