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Aug 03, 2023

Sweet success: Columbus North senior runs home

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North senior Caylyn Pruitt poses for a photo with the name of her business cut into sugar cookie dough and a tray of cake pops at her home in Columbus, Ind.,

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North senior Caylyn Pruitt poses for a photo with the name of her business cut into sugar cookie dough and a tray of cake pops at her home in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Pruitt took an interest in baking during the pandemic. She launched her home-based baking business in December 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local student Caylyn Pruitt found herself in need of a hobby and decided to take up baking.

That passion would later evolve into a home-based business known as CayPops Bakery LLC, which specializes in custom cake pops and sugar cookies, as well as “many other delicious desserts.”

“Over the pandemic, I became interested in baking,” said Pruitt, now a senior at Columbus North High School. “And I was watching ‘Kids Baking Championship’ on Food Network. And after baking for some friends and family and hearing good feedback, I decided to turn my hobby into a business. And I tried making cake pops about 12 times, but each batch actually failed. But I persisted and followed my dreams, and CayPops became a real business on Dec. 25 of 2021.”

Some of the work that went into creating CayPops included testing out recipes, researching business ownership, taking culinary arts classes at North, becoming certified with ServSafe, becoming a Certified Fundamentals Pastry Cook, launching a website, trademarking a logo, and purchasing some storage and equipment.

“My dad helped me a little bit with the legal side, but mainly we just did research about the laws in Indiana of owning a small business,” Pruitt said. “So in Indiana, I am operating under the cottage food law of 1309 and 185, and this is where you can have a cottage bakery and work out of your home. And I’ve been able to transform my house into a bakery.”

Pruitt recently competed in baking and pastry at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Leadership Conference, which was held in Denver this past July. She was a top 10 national finalist, placing ninth.

She also participates in cross-country and track. While school and athletics keep her busy, she said that the benefit of running her own business is that she can set her own schedule and choose whether or not to accept orders.

“After high school, I am planning on continuing to run CayPops as my job while studying business,” Pruitt said. “I hope to stay local, because I’ve built my customer base in Columbus. So I would love to have a storefront or a food truck in the future.”

She added that some of her larger goals for the business include expanding to nationwide franchises or being on Food Network.

“I really enjoy the creativity of baking,” Pruitt said. “I love art and just getting to express myself.”