03/10/2026
Happy 3rd Birthday to KT Bakes Bakery!! 🥳🥳🥳
I would appreciate if you took the time to read this long post. If not, in summary: I've decided to close KT Bakes Bakery at the end of 2026, and will become order only until then.
✨The Whole Story✨
Three years ago today, as a senior in high school, I launched this business. At the time, I was a very stressed out 18 year old with a dream of owning my own bakery. A lot (and I mean a LOT) has changed since then, so let me reintroduce myself and share what’s next for KT Bakes.
I’m Katie Repasky, 21 years old, born and raised in Woodlawn. KT Bakes has always been a side business for me. In 2025, I graduated from the RLC Culinary Arts Program with a Culinary Management degree and a Baking & Pastry Certificate. I currently work at Rend Lake College as their RLConfections Coordinator, and I also work at Twisted Twins, making coffee, burgers, ice cream, and whatever else is needed! In my free time, I’m usually baking, crafting, traveling(hoping to do this more), spending time with friends and family, or working on this business.
When I first started KT Bakes in the Jefferson County CEO program, my goal was to eventually open a physical bakery. That was my dream since literally kindergarten. Over this time, I've changed that dream. I realized that being a big business owner and the stress that came with it isn't what I wanted. I want to be able to work a job I love, and be able to clock out at the end of the day.
For a long time I've said that this business would always stay a side hobby for me. Now, I've decided that since I love both of my jobs so much, and am so fulfilled in them, that KT Bakes doesn't fit the picture anymore. I don't really get much fulfillment from KT Bakes anymore, it's mostly just stress with a little fun and a little money.
I almost closed down KT Bakes in December, considering not paying my yearly fees through the health department and other essential bills. After a lot of thinking, I decided I'd renew one more year and cut back, and try to use most of the bulk packaging I still have.
As much as I love KT Bakes (and I truly do. this business has always been my baby), I feel so fulfilled in my current jobs and in the life I’m building. Running this business takes a lot of time and energy, and while I will always love baking for others, owning a bakery is no longer part of my lifelong plan.
I feel as though this business has been successful. I’ve stayed true to myself. I’ve sold thousands of items. I'm a young member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. I’ve learned from a handful of complaints, handled challenges, and even survived a trademark scare. Every experience helped me grow. All scary in the moment, but I'm thankful they happened.
In the end, this business was a massive success. Even though it was never a physical bakery, I do think that I achieved my lifelong dream of having a successful bakery. I am so satisfied knowing that.
So here’s what you can expect moving forward:
- For the rest of 2026, KT Bakes will be order only, with very little posts.
- I do not plan to do any more vendor events (unless something really special comes up, probably small and local).
- You can find our menu and ordering instructions in the pinned post on this page. I'd love to get some custom orders on cookie/brownie cakes.
- Right now, I plan to maybe post once or twice a month, possibly having a pickup special on a fan favorite product. I also plan to have a limited fall menu one last time, since that's also a huge fan favorite.
With posting way less, my posts will get pushed out and shown less to you on your main feed. Make sure to check my page once in a while if you want to see what's most recent, and engaging in my posts also help tremendously.
As of right now, the plan is to officially close KT Bakes Bakery at the end of 2026. I know that may shock some of you, but this decision has not been made lightly. I’ve put months of thought into it. While plans can always change, I feel very at peace with this direction right now.
After 2026, I won’t be taking public orders through the business. However, if I know you personally, you can always reach out to my personal page. I still love to bake and will gladly take occasional personal orders on any baked good. I just don’t plan to renew my licensing after this year.
I won’t lie to you, this all does make me a little sad. Chapter endings are bittersweet and very emotional for me, but I know this is the right step for my life.
To every loyal customer, thank you. Your support over the last three years has meant more than I can ever express. I'm so grateful for every order, every kind comment, and every one of you. KT Bakes helped shape who I am today, and I am eternally grateful.
I am considering posting on this page my baked goods that I do for fun, and not selling. Would you be interested in that or prefer this page staying business only?
Thank you for reading and making it this far in the post. I’m still here. I’m still baking. And I’m still taking orders, for now.
With so much love and gratitude,
Katie 🫶
