Bakery vs. Cancer: Let’s Save My Shop

Intro to the Shop

Hi! I’m Trish Lynn and I own and operate a sweet little place called Whisk & Spool Pastry Shop in a sweet little town in Arkansas. My business began in 2016. I baked professionally for a few local restaurants for several years and decided I’d like to teach both baking and sewing (my other long-time passion). I continued to bake professionally and teach on the side until Covid hit. I baked from home for the next year, offering porch pick-ups and delivery. Then the opportunity of a lifetime came along to open my own pastry shop! Yes please! I purchased all of the shop’s equipment with money I made sewing Covid masks. Many people donated time, energy, items, and money to make the shop happen. There were many, many DIY projects.

The shop opened in April 2021 and quickly became a special place for the community. Our specialties are scones, cakes, giant cookies, and French custard pastries. We also make custom wedding cakes and cater desserts for large groups. In addition, we support local artists with rotating gallery shows and merchandise sales.

Last year was a great success, thanks to our wonderful customers. This year, though, the shop has faced some serious challenges.

Our Challenges

We were closed for several days in January for Covid illness and winter weather. In February, things were looking up. Then in March, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a shock! There were so many doctor appointments. I tried my best to keep up with the business, but I just couldn’t. I lost my staff and was on my own for a few weeks. Friends and family supported me like crazy, though. I was so blessed. Yet the shop really suffered. The stress was intense. (You are welcome to read my cancer journey if you like. www.caringbridge.org/visit/pinkribbonroad You never know who needs to hear it.)

By a complete miracle, it was determined I would not benefit from chemotherapy or radiation. Amazing!! I would, however, need to undergo a bilateral mastectomy with a six-week recovery time. During recovery, I would not be able to use my arms much: no driving, lifting over 5 lbs, stirring, raising my arms above shoulder level, etc. Basically, I wouldn’t be able to do any of the activities my job requires. So no wedding cake season. No big custom orders. Not even any scone-making. Yikes!

Right before my surgery, I hired my current employees and a team of volunteers was assembled to support them by working the front counter during my recovery. My surgery was in June and went very well. I am now CANCER FREE!! Thank you, God!!

We expected I’d be able to return to work, on some level, by the first week of August. However, in mid-July, I came down with a serious infection connected with my surgery, which required an ambulance ride to the ER and landed me in the hospital for a week! At the end of the week, I had emergency surgery, and my recovery time was extended a few more weeks, into mid-August. I'm recovering well, but it will take me some time to feel 100% again.

My inability to do my job or even be present at my business has severely impacted the shop's viability. I’ve watched the business bank account dwindle despite the staff’s hard work, the volunteers’ commitment, and our customers’ devotion. The funds I’m hoping to raise here will be used to bridge the gap until I can work again, full force. Specifically, they will help cover my labor costs, ingredients, marketing, and rent.

My Plea

In a nutshell, my business has used up its safety net. But I have hope we can overcome this challenging time. I love the shop like it’s a person, and I want to see it flourish. So this is when I humbly ask you for help. If you feel connected in some way to the shop, to me, or to this cause, please consider helping save the shop with a financial gift. You can also help by supporting other ways: following our social media accounts (@whiskspoolpastryshop), liking posts, sharing posts, commenting, writing positive reviews, and telling your friends about us.

This year, the loud-and-clear theme for me is letting go! I’ve gotten to practice letting go of my schedule, my strength, mobility, some body parts, healing time frames, money, comfortable sleep, privacy, independence, pride, and fear. And I’m happy to say I have not gone without. That’s the Lord for ya! My personal needs have all been met. So now it’s time to meet the needs of Whisk & Spool Pastry Shop!

Thank you!

Love, Trish

www.whiskspoolpastryshop.com