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

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Terry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I was raised to work hard and over the last couple of years life really showed me that sometimes working hard would 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 then I was deeply passionate about what I was doing, so I worked during the day, at night and on weekends doing projects or doing public speaking events. It was to the detriment of my health and even my family. Covid was a real challenge, and in some ways it helped me to do some self- reflection. I kept getting sick with lingering colds, and I finally saw a specialist who told me that I had to make some changes, my body was stressed. My family made a decision to move to Texas to be closer to my family and also so we could have some life changes. I continued to work with my company in Virginia, but I began to shift some things and it has made all the difference. I’m paraphrasing some genius 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 its 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.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease right when I arrived in Texas 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 emotionally, but I accepted the challenge. If you really know me, you know I have a sweet tooth, but it was so hard finding gluten free desserts that I really enjoyed. So I started experimenting with brownies and cakes and then cookies. Then I made decorated sugar cookies for Easter for my neighbors and I just kept making them. 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 chocolates covered oreos and chocolate chip cookies, etc. I also have a different flavor profile, my signature cookie is not a vanilla almond cookie, it’s vanilla with a twist.

This has definitely not been easy. Learning how to run your own business, I imagine is never easy. I had and continue to learn about marketing and how much time it takes to make cookies and educate people about what goes in to making customs cookies. Honestly, I’m still learning. What I can say is, I have loved having creative freedom and making cookies gives me an outlet to be as detailed as I want to be ( I’m naturally a detailed person). 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.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
They can’t leave without having some good ole smoked meat, brisket, ribs, chicken- you name it! We like Tejas Chocolate. We also have to have tamales, so a trip to Balderas Tamales would be in order. Hugo’s and The Breakfast Club are a must as well. When we first arrived we went with another family to The Bayou Wildlife Zoo and it was fun for the kids and us. Another Houston favorite is the Rodeo! If we can take a trip while they are visiting we would head to Brenham, where my family is from, and take a tour of The Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well, my husband for sure. I couldn’t do this without him and he has been there every step of the way supporting me, putting up with the late nights, being my taste tester and even my hype man. My family has been extremely supportive, my parents (my mom has helped me get ready for many sales), siblings and my in-laws. I also have an amazing group of friends, who have helped me prepare for sales, markets, and shared my business with others, but also who have just reminded me about self-care. Last, but certainly not least, I have the pleasure of being part of a local group of bakers who support one another- Cypress Bakers Network. All are welcome and we all share and root each other on in this business.

Website: www.bluehorizonbakes.com

Instagram: @bluehorizonbakes

Facebook: @bluehorizonbakes

Image Credits
Picture of me at the door is by Jessica Villarreal, Little Tiny Memories SJV