Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Porter.
Hi Allyson, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, the kitchen has been a place of comfort, creativity, and connection. I grew up baking and cooking alongside my mom and grandmothers, where food was more than just nourishment — it was a way to show love. My mom, who made every birthday cake for my brother and me, always encouraged my artistic side. Thanks to her, I was able to experiment with food from a young age, turning simple moments in the kitchen into cherished memories.
It was during high school that my passion for creating beautiful food — particularly desserts — truly began to take shape. At the time, it was simply a hobby I shared with friends and family. I had no idea that just four years after graduation, I would open a bakery of my own, with the goal of spreading that same sense of love, comfort, and home to my community.
While attending Georgia College and State University, I started a small side business baking cakes and cookies. It quickly grew into something much larger than I ever expected — especially for a full-time college student. By the time I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, I was regularly traveling back and forth from Milledgeville to fulfill custom orders for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and countless other celebrations.
What began as a way to express creativity and connect with loved ones has grown into a fulfilling career — one that allows me to pour my heart into every order and bring a little sweetness to the lives of those around me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many small business owners, one of the greatest challenges I faced came with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I graduated in December 2019 with plans to open my bakery in the early months of 2020. However, as the world quickly shut down and uncertainty took hold, those plans were put on pause. Ultimately, the opening was delayed until November 2020.
Even then, the road was anything but smooth. Operating a new business in the midst of a global health crisis brought countless hurdles — from implementing safety protocols to managing the risks of working in a 1,900-square-foot space with both staff and customers. Every step required adaptability, resilience, and no small amount of faith.
Looking back, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude — not only for my family, who stood beside me and supported this dream at just 22 years old, but also for the incredible community that rallied around a brand-new business in the most uncertain of times. Their continued support is the reason this dream is still thriving today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At the heart of my dream for the bakery was a simple but meaningful goal: to share tried-and-true recipes with my community and create a space that feels like home. I wanted it to be more than just a place to pick up dessert — I wanted it to be somewhere that sparks nostalgia, brings comfort, and helps people make new memories.
By blending my love for cooking with my passion for art, we’re able to craft edible masterpieces that are just as beautiful as they are delicious. Cakes have become my canvas, and it’s a joy to contribute to life’s most cherished moments — from weddings and birthdays to a simple stop-in after a long day.
At the end of the day, we’re not just in the business of baking — we’re in the business of creating memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allysbakeryllc.com
- Instagram: Allyson.bakery.llc
- Facebook: Ally’s Bakery LLC
