2025
reflecting on the best things
Hello! Happy New Year, BBB readers!
I am officially back, thank goodness, and I am super excited to be back to writing for you all. Taking a break was honestly really nice for me, and it has made me WANT to write more than feel like I was obligated to write, and sometimes I felt like that. But as I’ve been looking forward to 2026, I have been thinking about 2025 and all the crazy/amazing things that happened to me, and Bakes By Bates this year. So, let me tell you all about the great things that happened.
This whole year, I felt like things were finally coming to fruition for Bakes By Bates. I, for years, felt really embarrassed about posting on the internet, and I didn’t want to take any chance that could come with “failure.” So starting my Substack was a huge leap for me. Which leads me to my first win…
1. Starting my Substack!
When I started writing, I had maybe five subscribers… my parents and my best friends. Immediately, I was discouraged because that is just in my nature: wanting to be successful at everything right away. But I kept trying, and you all kept finding me and being so supportive that it made me want to write more. I never thought I would make this leap to write, and I have enjoyed it more than you know, so thank you, my dear readers.
2. Continuing Monthly Dozen
Doing the Monthly Dozen isn’t necessarily easy. It is a process to test and alter recipes, collect orders, get all my materials and ingredients, get the cookies made, and then get them packaged and dropped off. But even though it’s a proccess, I love it, a lot. Sharing these cookies with others has made such a difference in my year.
3. Having my first semi-viral video/being recognized by my favorite chef
Dude. This honestly was like the highlight of my year. I posted that video thinking that the maybe 30 people who followed me would see it, but to have over 80k people see my original video and gain basically all of you from that was more than I could have ever wished. I am just so grateful for Meredith Hayden and for all of you <3
4. Got my first PR package
In case you missed it, Mountain Dew sent me a package after they saw Mere’s video! I have been such a Mtn Dew fan my whole life and to have them send me some amazing merch was a dream come true. In case Mtn Dew sees this, you rock.
And so much more.
My year has been crazy and fun and wonderful and exciting and so up and down it makes my head spin to think about it. To think that all of these great things happened in one year is astonishing to me. There are so many more highlights that didn’t make this article but to see a few more go watch this tiktok. Thanks for reading and happy new year!
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Cheers to a New Year of delicious cookies! 🍪🤤🫰 Maybe we'll get a sneak peek of some of the new flavors in the next article! 😏