Francheska Velazquez
Play to Learn Childcare
The Backstory
Sisters Ashli Esteves-Nelson and Marika Esteves-Smith, Co-Owners of Brown Butter Creations, received an Equity Match Grant (EMG) from WBDC in 2021, allowing them to purchase a piece of equipment that helped expand the bakery’s capacity.
From working in supply chain management to becoming the co-owner of a successful bakery, Ashli Esteves-Nelson knows about transitioning her career to pursue her passion.
A life-long Glastonbury resident, Ashli made the decision to help her sister Marika, a professional baker, fulfill her dream of starting her own bakery.
“My husband and I were like, alright, we’ll figure out all the business pieces, you focus on the baking, and we’ll figure out how to get an online bakery up and running.”
Brown Butter Creations officially launched as an online bakery in June 2018 during a Juneteenth celebration. Ashli and her family were working out of a shared space through Hands on Hartford, which allowed food businesses to utilize their commercial kitchen space.
COVID-19 shut down many businesses in the beginning, but Brown Butter Creations thrived.
“In the middle of 2020 when the COVID pandemic began, we were still offering delivery. That was where our business really boomed. A lot of places had shut down, and delivery options were the way to go. We widened our reach and were able to broaden our base.”
At the end of 2020, Ashli left her corporate career in supply chain management to focus on Brown Butter Creations. Marika taught her everything she needed to know, and the two sisters obtained a cottage food license, allowing them to work in their home.
Then the long-awaited transition to a brick and mortar bakery took place at the end of 2021, marking the official opening at the current Glastonbury location.
From working in supply chain management to becoming the co-owner of a successful bakery, Ashli Esteves-Nelson knows about transitioning her career to pursue her passion.
A life-long Glastonbury resident, Ashli made the decision to help her sister Marika, a professional baker, fulfill her dream of starting her own bakery.
“My husband and I were like, alright, we’ll figure out all the business pieces, you focus on the baking, and we’ll figure out how to get an online bakery up and running.”
Brown Butter Creations officially launched as an online bakery in June 2018 during a Juneteenth celebration. Ashli and her family were working out of a shared space through Hands on Hartford, which allowed food businesses to utilize their commercial kitchen space.
COVID-19 shut down many businesses in the beginning, but Brown Butter Creations thrived.
“In the middle of 2020 when the COVID pandemic began, we were still offering delivery. That was where our business really boomed. A lot of places had shut down, and delivery options were the way to go. We widened our reach and were able to broaden our base.”
At the end of 2020, Ashli left her corporate career in supply chain management to focus on Brown Butter Creations. Marika taught her everything she needed to know, and the two sisters obtained a cottage food license, allowing them to work in their home.
Then the long-awaited transition to a brick and mortar bakery took place at the end of 2021, marking the official opening at the current Glastonbury location.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
Ashli became familiar with WBDC in 2019, after hearing about the organization while participating in a food incubator accelerator program with ReSET. After attending an Equity Match Grant (now Ignite grant) information session in 2021, she spoke with a WBDC Business Advisor in preparation for starting her application.
“We got all our questions answered and were immediately able to go into the application process.”
Receiving the grant allowed the sisters to purchase a walk-in cooler, which has grown their capacity tremendously. The smaller refrigerator they used before limited the number of orders they could accept.
“Previously, we had only made products based off what customers had ordered in advance. Now we have the ability to hold ingredients to make products to fill our display case.” Ashli said. “It’s been a godsend.”
According to Ashli, the most rewarding thing about receiving the grant was that they now have the ability to keep growing their business and do more – and make more customers happy.
In addition to receiving the grant, Ashli and Marika see additional benefits to working with the WBDC.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to network with other women, and just having the ability to have access to funds that may not have been easily available in other avenues.”
Brown Butter Creations was recently voted “Best Bakery” and “Best Desserts” in the Hartford Courant’s Reader’s Poll, as they continue to grow and serve the people of Connecticut.
“We got all our questions answered and were immediately able to go into the application process.”
Receiving the grant allowed the sisters to purchase a walk-in cooler, which has grown their capacity tremendously. The smaller refrigerator they used before limited the number of orders they could accept.
“Previously, we had only made products based off what customers had ordered in advance. Now we have the ability to hold ingredients to make products to fill our display case.” Ashli said. “It’s been a godsend.”
According to Ashli, the most rewarding thing about receiving the grant was that they now have the ability to keep growing their business and do more – and make more customers happy.
In addition to receiving the grant, Ashli and Marika see additional benefits to working with the WBDC.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to network with other women, and just having the ability to have access to funds that may not have been easily available in other avenues.”
Brown Butter Creations was recently voted “Best Bakery” and “Best Desserts” in the Hartford Courant’s Reader’s Poll, as they continue to grow and serve the people of Connecticut.
Website
Location
353 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, CT 06033
https://brown-butter-creations.square.site/contact-us
Contact Phone
860-218-8947