Another busy day wandering the market place, the warm sun beats down over the vendors yearning to sell their products, just awaiting that next customer to take notice. On weekends, senior Lylah Duffy sells her homemade cookies at local markets. What began as a simple extracurricular activity has grown into a true passion.
“I was just finding recipes online in seventh grade,” Duffy said. “And then I started finding my love for baking.”
Over the past three years, Duffy has transformed her love for baking into a thriving cookie business called Charmed Goods.
“I decided to go sell my cookies at the market,” Duffy said. “And then I made some money, and then I wanted to keep doing it. I started figuring out my own recipes so I could add whatever mix-ins I want and what works for me and what doesn’t with my stuff at home.”
That first time at the market inspired Duffy. Before, she usually just sold to friends and family. While she enjoys baking, balancing everything is never easy. Now, in her final year of high school, Duffy is learning to balance her business, school and college preparation, navigating every opportunity along the way.
“Since I am a full-time student and I do have a job, it gets really hard for me to make cookies and make the dough and everything, since it’s kind of a long process,” Duffy said.
Despite the challenges, she manages to set up a stand on the weekends at local markets to sell to the community. Other times, she earns profits from her school through student council opportunities.
“I just go whenever my dad or I find a market, or I’ll give them away to my friends, sell them to my friends or I’ll bring them for homecoming as snacks,” Duffy said.
Running Charmed Goods has taught Duffy several skills, not just how to bake, but what it truly means to run a business and stay committed even when life gets tough.
“It has majorly impacted my life as it’s helped me see the other side of things, and for me to realize how hard starting a business actually is,” Duffy said. “You need to be fully committed to it.”
Duffy’s drive and work ethic have not gone unnoticed and have often been recognized by her teachers and peers alike.
“She is a very, very hard worker and very dependable,” AVID teacher Jaunita Delgado said.
While running a business has pushed Duffy out of her comfort zone, she has not only learned to embrace new experiences but also encourages any entrepreneur just starting to do the same.
“The biggest thing that it’s taught me is just to get out of your comfort shell, because it’s not just all easy where you can just do it with the snap of your fingers,” Duffy said. “You really need to get out there, because it’s not always going to work. You have to keep trying and keep being persistent, and you can’t give up after the first no.”
Though Duffy won’t be pursuing the culinary arts in college, she hopes to keep baking throughout her life.
“My backup plan, or if I want to retire, is to own a bakery to sell my goods, even though really I only make cookies,” Duffy said.
As Duffy heads into a new chapter of her life, she hopes to accomplish big things and embrace all the flavors life throws her way, both sweet and sour, whether it’s through newfound experiences or battling everyday life.
