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At every family gathering, school function, or fundraiser I have been involved in over the last 20 years I have been responsible for supplying the dessert. My baked goods began to receive compliments from family and strangers alike. It felt good to receive such praise for something that came so naturally to me. Soon the remarks turned from, “This is the best cookie I have ever eaten!” to “Why aren’t you selling these?” When I heard the business idea over and over again I started to take it seriously. I would fantasize about it, but it seemed so overwhelming. “Besides,” I would say each time, “I’m a baker, not a business manager.” The idea would drift in and out of my mind, but nothing ever came of it.

I was constantly baking. Cookies and pies were everywhere and, of course, I always had to taste my new creations. It soon became clear that I needed to get some exercise, but I had never been good at sports and the gym was not for me. One day, on vacation, I passed by the tennis court where my husband was playing. I wandered in and picked up a racquet. Not only was I able to hit the ball, but it actually felt good! At home I called the local tennis club and arranged for a lesson. I had no idea who my instructor would be and when I walked in the door that first morning I had no idea how my life would change as a result of the instructor I got.

He was an excellent teacher who had me playing in no time at all. He was demanding with high standards. His tactics worked so well that soon I was hooked on tennis. We became friends so from time to time I’d bring him some cookies. When the holidays came around I baked him a pie and some brownies. At my next lesson he gave me back my pie plate and said to me, “I think you’re missing your calling.” I asked him what he meant and he said, “You should be selling what you make.” I laughed and told him it was an idea that had been simmering in my head for years and then I gave him my usual answer about running a business. He didn’t let me laugh it off. He believed in me and he knew the quality of what I could make, so he offered to be my partner: I would bake and he’d run the business. It was the perfect solution. That’s how I went from home baker to bakery owner. That’s what cookies have to do with tennis.