USCA student enjoys sweet taste of success with baking business

This time of year is always busy, but if you own your own business, it might be a bit more hectic.

As shoppers get ready for Small Business Saturday, just days after Thanksgiving, Abigail Reesor, USCA ’29, is gearing up to meet the demands of the season with her Bake It Till You Make It gourmet cookies and cakes.

“The holiday season is my busiest time of the year. I bake multiple different custom orders every week, and I even have holiday themed cookie cakes and cookie packages for Christmas gifts,” she said.

“Some challenges of owning my own business are trying to manage my business, social life, and schooling. Some opportunities I've had are connecting to multiple people in my community, developing business and customer service skills, and donating my cookies to different organizations.”

She said she applies lessons learned in her business classes to her own company. Reesor added that resources at USCA taught her how to plan and set up a budget and time management.

“Personal money management has taught me many things, like different budget styles I can use, taxes, and managing and saving money,” the Aiken native said.

“I brought my cookies to my principles of macroeconomics class and learned about supply and demand, specifically what factors affect supply and demand curves.”

She said she’s always enjoyed baking and wanted to share her love of baking with people. In 2023, she started her own business, working out of her kitchen and taking orders online. Reesor hopes to own her own storefront bakery one day – or work as a forensic accountant, investigating and uncovering financial crimes and fraud.

Right now, though, she’s focused on her classes, cookies and cakes.

“I chose USCA because I wanted to stay home for college to continue my business and because everyone is welcoming on campus,” Reesor said.

“USCA is helping me reach my academic and professional goals through skill development, small class sizes so they're more personalized, and professors and staff who want to see you succeed and help you succeed.” 

Editor’s note: According to the U.S. State Department, November is National Entrepreneurship Month, “a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs who serve their communities and bolster the American economy.”

This story is one in the “Making Our Way” series, celebrating USCA entrepreneurs.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.