Small Business Spotlight: Auntie Liana's Baked With Love

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Auntie Liana’s Baked With Love
• Owners: Liana Knudsen
• Website: www.AuntieLianas.com
• Address: Montrose, NY

How did you come up with the name?

My niece was my inspiration! She loved anything I baked for her and I wanted the name to give people that home-made, comforting feeling. After all, your auntie would never steer you wrong.

Why start a business in this town?

My business is a certified home-based baking business, and this is where I live. Isn’t it everyone’s dream to be able to work from home?

What business are you in?

Baking, of course. I specialize in cake balls.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Space and time! My business has grown to a point that I have to build out a much larger, second commercial kitchen space in my home. As far as time, the baking is part time right now, so I have a ‘day job’ and have to bake around my job and life in general. The dream is to be able to build my business and quit the day job. I’m on the right track for accomplishing that. I launched a crowd funding campaign through Kickstarter to help offset the costs of the commercial appliances. This will help make a dream come true! Check out the link on my website.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

I am a vendor at the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest and for the past 3 years I have completely sold out! And this year, my cake balls were picked to be part of a wine pairing seminar given by the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess.

How does your business give back to the community?

I donate baked goods to different charities, including CHOP in Peekskill.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.