Breonna Rios has long balanced everyday life as a stay-at-home mom and wife, but she says that baking was always a part of who she was.
Rios, a lifelong Central New Jersey resident, says that baking about much more than creating tasty treats. “It’s about creating something meaningful that brings joy, comfort and connection to people.”
With that in mind, she has started up a small cottage baking business called Bre’s Baked Bites. Thanks to New Jersey’s cottage food operator rules, she is able to bake in her own kitchen. She sells the treats she makes at area markets, including the Hopewell Farmers Market.
“I truly enjoy being part of this community,” says Rios, who today lives in Hopewell with her family. “Starting my business here felt natural because this is where my family is, and this is where I want to build something lasting.”
Rios, 26, attended Trenton Central High School. She has been married for almost seven years, and has three children, ages 4, 2 and 5 months. “My husband is very supportive of my entrepreneurial journey,” she says. “Being a mom is such a big part of my life, and my inspiration in business.”
She says that her parents have always been role models for hard work and resilience. “My mom, being in the healthcare field and now the hospitality industry, is what shaped my love for caring and serving others,” she says.
Rios is a self-taught baker who has spent years perfecting my craft through practice, research and a lot of trial and error. In 2023, at a point when she felt confident in what she had learned on her own, she enrolled at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts online.
“I decided to go to culinary school to ensure I had a solid foundation and understanding both for the craft and for the business side of it,” she says.
After years of baking for loved ones and being encouraged to share her treats with a wider audience, she started Bre’s Baked Bites in 2025. “I wanted to turn my passion into something that could also support my family. I also wanted to show my kids that dreams are worth pursuing, and that you can build something meaningful from the ground up,” she says.
Community News interviewed Rios to learn more about the story behind Bre’s Baked Bites. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Why did you choose baking as a career?
Breonna Rios: Baking has always been my outlet — it’s where I find peace, creativity, and purpose. While there were many career paths I tried, including the military and medical field, nothing felt as natural as being in my kitchen with my littles in the background. It’s the one place where I feel both challenged and at peace.
What kinds of goodies do you make?
Rios: Bre’s Baked Bites offers cupcakes, mini cakes, cookies, and brownies. In the fall, I’ll be featuring seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and apple-inspired treats. Year-round, I offer classics like chocolate chip cookies, fudgy brownies, and a variety of cupcakes, from red velvet to strawberry shortcake.
My mini cakes are especially popular because they allow people to enjoy the richness of cake without committing to a full size.
You are a licensed cottage baker. What is the significance of this designation and why did you choose this route?
Rios: Being a licensed cottage baker means I operate my business from home under New Jersey’s Cottage Food Laws. It ensures that I meet all health, safety, and labeling standards, and it allows me to build my business in a cost-effective way while still being present for my family.
This route gave me the flexibility to get started without the huge overhead of a storefront, while still being fully insured and legitimate.
Where can Bre’s Baked Bites be found?
Rios: Right now, my treats can be found online through custom orders, at local events and farmers markets, and I am in conversations with local businesses for wholesale opportunities.
Social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, has been a powerful tool for me to connect with new customers.
How much of your business is catering or special order?
Rios: A large portion of my business is special orders — birthdays, celebrations, and holidays — but I’m hoping to grow to wholesale and catering sales as well.
Can you give us a sense of the volume of work that you do?
Rios: This is very much a 5–7 days a week business, depending on the event. During holidays and event-heavy times, I can be busy every single day with baking, packaging, and deliveries. At other times, it’s a bit more cyclical.
What has been the most rewarding thing about starting this business?
Rios: The joy on people’s faces when they taste my baked goods, and knowing that I get to play a small part in their celebrations and special moments.
And what has been the most challenging?
Rios: Balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. Both require so much attention, but I’ve learned how to create a rhythm that works for me and my family.
Your faith is important to you. Tell us about how it guides you.
Rios: My faith is the foundation of everything I do. It guides my decisions, keeps me grounded and gives me strength when challenges arise.
As an entrepreneur, faith helps me keep perspective. I see my business not just as a way to make income, but as a way to serve people and glorify God through excellence, honesty, and creativity.
What does the rest of 2025 hold for you?
Rios: I plan to expand into wholesale more aggressively, continue building my online presence and possibly begin transitioning into a professional kitchen to increase my capacity.
How about further into the future?
Rios: I would love to open a brick-and-mortar bakery or even a dessert truck to bring Bre’s Baked Bites directly into more communities. My long-term vision is to create a space that feels like home — where people can gather, enjoy good treats, and feel cared for.
