Classroom to Kitchen: Building A Vegan Baking Legacy

In our latest podcast episode, Mistye shares her journey from teaching to baking, the story of her first vegan cake, and how her side hustle turned into a mission-driven business. Her bakery, Buttafly Kisses, now serves over ten retail locations, and Mistye’s products are also available for nationwide shipping. Mistye emphasizes her commitment to quality, using organic, non-GMO ingredients to make desserts that are not only vegan but also healthy and natural.

Her business journey is one of necessity, resilience, and a deep commitment to quality. Driven by the need to create delicious, plant-based desserts for her family, Mistye transformed a personal challenge into a thriving business, and her desserts are now available in over ten retail locations around Atlanta.

Throughout the episode, we explore the challenges Mistye faced as a small business owner, from supply chain issues during the pandemic to transitioning from shared kitchens to her own retail space. Mistye talks about the vital role of farmers' markets, vegan festivals, and social media in her marketing strategy, along with her goal of expanding Buttafly Kisses into Los Angeles and beyond. Her passion for veganism and her dedication to sharing the “beauty of plant-based food” shine through in every story she tells.

Listen in as Mistye offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and explains why consistency, community, and quality are at the heart of her business. If you’re curious about vegan desserts or seeking inspiration from a fearless businesswoman, this episode is a must-listen!

From a Mother’s Necessity to a Community Staple

Mistye's journey began with a simple need: she wanted dairy- and egg-free desserts for her children, who had dietary restrictions. “Going to birthday parties and celebrations, I’d always bring a separate snack for my kids, like granola or fruit,” Mistye explains. “But it wasn’t the same. They deserved desserts just like everyone else, made with organic and non-GMO ingredients that were safe for them.”

Determined to fill the gap, Mistye baked her first vegan cake for her son’s first birthday, encouraged by her husband. The response was overwhelmingly positive, especially from the vegan daycare community, which quickly embraced her as their go-to baker for birthdays and events. What began as a labor of love soon became a business, and Buttafly Kisses Vegan Bakery was born.

Early Days and Initial Challenges

Mistye initially balanced her baking with a full-time job as an elementary school teacher, but she quickly realized that there was a bigger opportunity. She attended the Atlanta Vegan Festival in 2014, first as a spectator, then as a vendor the following year. “I sold out at my first event as a vendor,” she recalls. “That’s when I knew this could be more than just a side project.”

Deciding to leave her career in education was a big leap, especially as a mother of five. But Mistye’s vision extended beyond just a local bakery—she wanted Buttafly Kisses to be accessible to people in retail stores, coffee shops, and even nationwide. Her primary challenge was finding a space to bake her products in compliance with food safety regulations, so she began by renting time in shared kitchens around Atlanta.

In the early days, Mistye found herself navigating unexpected hurdles, from high rental costs to adapting her baking process in shared spaces. “I was lucky to work under a talented pastry chef who became a mentor to me, teaching me about pricing, scaling, and running a business,” she shares. This hands-on experience gave her the knowledge she needed to start growing her business beyond pop-ups and farmers' markets.

Breaking Into Retail: A Thoughtful, Research-Driven Process

One of Mistye’s core goals was to get Buttafly Kisses products into retail stores, so more people could enjoy her treats without having to visit a specific location. “I didn’t want people to just come to a bakery,” she says. “I wanted them to be able to walk into their local grocery store or coffee shop and find Buttafly Kisses there.”

Getting into retail locations wasn’t easy. Mistye took a research-driven approach, visiting stores to see what vegan and plant-based options they already carried. She didn’t want to compete directly with similar products but rather to complement the store’s offerings. “If a store had cookies, I’d approach them with brownies, Rice Krispy treats, or parfaits,” she explains. “I wanted to offer something they didn’t already have to fill a gap in their vegan options.”

Mistye would start by chatting with store employees to get a feel for what customers were asking for, then approach managers with samples and a well-prepared sales sheet. Her goal was to make the process as seamless as possible. “I knew if I made it easy for them, they’d be more likely to say yes,” she says. By bringing a clear plan, she could streamline the approval process, allowing store owners to see the potential value of her products.

Over time, Mistye’s thoughtful approach paid off. Her products are now available in several Atlanta locations, from juice bars to local grocery stores and coffee shops. She also attributes her success to offering high-quality ingredients. Her desserts are all-natural, non-GMO, and organic, which not only appealed to health-conscious consumers but also helped her stand out in the market.

Facing and Overcoming Challenges in Expansion

As Buttafly Kisses grew, so did the challenges. With increased demand came the need for a larger, dedicated space. Just as she was on the verge of securing a stable kitchen, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, disrupting supply chains, increasing ingredient costs, and shutting down shared kitchens. “During the pandemic, I questioned everything,” Mistye admits. “Atlanta was in lockdown, and sourcing ingredients became almost impossible. Flour, plant-based milk, and packaging were either unavailable or significantly more expensive.”

To survive, Mistye pivoted quickly, introducing curbside pickup and placing more emphasis on online orders. At one point, her current shared kitchen closed, and she was forced to build a commercial kitchen from scratch, an endeavor that tested her resilience. She pushed forward, creating a new revenue model to keep the business afloat. “The hardest part was consistency,” she reflects. “Prices went up, and I had to source ingredients from places I’d never worked with before, but I stayed consistent in delivering on time.”

Today, Buttafly Kisses operates out of a brick-and-mortar retail space, which serves as both a bakery and a manufacturing hub. This dual purpose allows Mistye to fulfill retail orders while also offering a welcoming space for local customers. “Having my own space has added credibility,” she notes. “People can now walk in and buy from us directly, which has built a stronger bond with the community.”

Social Media and Future Goals: Expanding the Buttafly Kisses Brand

For Mistye, social media has played a crucial role in growing Buttafly Kisses. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow her to showcase her products, engage with her audience, and create buzz around her brand. “Social media is essentially free advertising, and I want to maximize that,” she says. Although running the business leaves her little time for regular posting, Mistye is keen to explore TikTok more, especially for behind-the-scenes content. “People want to see the process—how we make a vegan dessert or decorate a cake. I’d love to share more of that,” she adds.

With her sights set on expansion, Mistye dreams of taking Buttafly Kisses beyond Atlanta. She has plans to enter the Los Angeles market by 2025, with the possibility of a flagship location on the West Coast. “Los Angeles is a hub for veganism, and I know our treats would thrive there,” she says with excitement. The West Coast expansion aligns with her vision of making Buttafly Kisses a household name, accessible in grocery stores, cafes, and juice bars nationwide.

The Heart of Buttafly Kisses: A Mission-Driven Business

At its core, Buttafly Kisses is more than just a bakery; it’s a mission-driven business with a commitment to providing healthy, cruelty-free desserts to a wider audience. Mistye’s commitment to quality shines through in every product she offers, from Rice Krispy treats to oatmeal cream pies. Her success is a testament to the power of staying consistent, keeping the mission clear, and listening to her customers’ needs.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Mistye has one key piece of advice: trust in yourself. “Believe that you can do it. Consistency and focus are crucial. There will be setbacks, but if you stay the course, you’ll get there,” she says. Her journey from teacher to vegan bakery owner is an inspiring reminder that even the biggest dreams can start small—with just a birthday cake and a commitment to creating something better.

As Mistye’s story continues to unfold, Buttafly Kisses remains a beacon of hope and determination for anyone wanting to make a difference through business. Whether you’re vegan or just someone with a sweet tooth, Buttafly Kisses promises a taste of something truly special—desserts made with love, intention, and the highest quality ingredients.

VISIT THE SWEET SHOP AT: https://buttaflykissesatl.com/