Kate Kim, a senior in the full IB Diploma Programme and a member of the Huron Symphony Orchestra, is balancing a busy schedule of extracurriculars as she prepares to launch her own brownie business.
Kim was previously a part of A2 Cookies, a baking business that releases new flavor cookies monthly, that gave all profits to Ann Arbor teachers and staff. She is now carrying out her plans for her own business, Square One Brownies.
The business, which will be specializing in brownies, blondies and brookies will also combine creativity with a charitable purpose.
“I would say the highlight of this business is that it’s nonprofit,” Kim said.
While Kim was a part of A2 Cookies, half of her profits would go to support AAPS education. This will carry through her new business, with 100 percent of the profits going to supporting AAPS teachers. This helped her come up with the name, Square One. It’s a mention of the saying “back to square one,” and how it supports getting back to where you started.
In terms of the prices for her business, Kim wanted to keep it accessible for everyone.
“I would say $2 to start. Maybe 2.5$, but I don’t think it will go anything above that,” Kim said. “I think the goal of it is not to buff it, it’s just to make sure everyone can have a piece.”
Beginning in eighth grade, Kim has been giving out baked goods to her friends as a sort of tradition. Baking has been a side hobby of hers for a long time, and now she wants to make something out of it, as it has been an idea of hers since her sophomore year. Although she now feels weird charging her friends, it’s a compromise she makes to support other people.
Kim plans to start taking some limited orders before she fully launches her business in November. The main item won’t just be brownies, as her business will also include blondies, brookies, and other options to help include everyone.
“There will be vegan gluten-free and options available,” Kim said. “I’m still experimenting, but I’m developing a recipe with protein powder and stevia for the gym-goers!”
Although she isn’t yet sure about what she wants to do in college yet, Kim wants to continue her business after high school. She is working towards a baking certificate, in which she will take a written and performance test in order to get certified. While she is continuing her various studies along with her business, she still wants to continue connecting with people through her love of baking.
“I just want to enhance [my love for baking], and I want to share it with a lot of people,” Kim said. “I think baking has just been a side hobby for a really long time, and maybe it’s time to make something out of it.”
You can find her business on Instagram, along with A2 Cookies. Their Instagrams are @arborcookies_ and @square1brownies.
