Meet Tiffany Terry | Cookie Creator and Owner of Blue Horizon Bakes

Over the last couple of years life really has showed me that sometimes work could easily take priority over more important things. I worked in the development field, specifically community engagement. It meant I was constantly engaging individuals, groups, volunteers, corporations, etc in order to help make our common community better together. I always felt like I had to prove myself (imposter syndrome is real) and I was also deeply passionate about what I was doing, so I worked during the day, at night and on weekends doing projects, public speaking events, or whatever was needed. It took a toll on my health and my family.

When Covid hit, it gave me space to do some self- reflection. In 2020, my family made a decision to move to Texas to be closer to my family and also to make some life changes. I happily continued to work with my employer in Virginia, but I began to shift my thinking on work-life balance and it has made all the difference. I’m paraphrasing some smart person who said, “balance isn’t easy , but what I realize is that you have several balls in life: work, family, friends and health to name a few. With work you have to work smarter and you may drop that ball sometimes- it usually bounces back. When it comes to your health, family and friendships if you drop those balls, there can be permanent damage and it’s not worth it.” My cookie business has allowed for more flexibility and I still struggle, as I just started my business, to have balance, but I’m a constant work in progress.

I didn’t set out to open a cookie business. I was recently diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and my doctor asked me to change my diet. I had to cut out gluten, and a host of other things. I love food, so it was a real blow to me, but I accepted the challenge.  I have a sweet tooth and it was so hard finding gluten free/ vegan desserts that I really enjoyed. So I started experimenting with brownies, cakes and cookies. Then I made decorated sugar cookies for Easter for my neighbors and I really enjoyed it. After that, one of my neighbors asked me if I would do cookies for her daughter’s birthday and I was so excited!

I officially opened Blue Horizon Bakes in August 2021. I make custom sugar cookies for any occasion that you may need them. I offer regular cookies, as well as options for people who are gluten-sensitive and vegan. For markets and holidays, I offer special treats like gluten free chocolate covered oreos and chocolate chip cookies, etc. I also offer a different flavor profile, my signature cookie is not a vanilla almond cookie, it’s vanilla with a twist and I offer lots of other flavors as well.

This has definitely not been easy. Learning how to run your own business I imagine, never is, but it has been fun. Honestly, I’m still learning about marketing, how much time it takes to make cookies and also how to educate people about what goes in to making customs cookies. What I can say is, I have loved having creative freedom and making cookies gives me an outlet to be as detailed and inventive as I want to be. It makes me happy to bring a smile to people’s faces, utilizing my love for baking.

My desire is not only to make my customers delicious cookies, I hope that through providing confections I can build a connection with people. Shared food is one of the greatest ways to build relationships and I hope that these cookies will help me to do so in my community.