A young local entrepreneur is turning a childhood passion into a growing business, and she is only just getting started. 

Seventeen-year-old Caitlin Penner from Sarto, better known as the Tiny Baker, launched her baking business at just 12 years old.  

“I've always loved to bake," she says. "I started with my mom when I was very young. She encouraged me to start doing cookie decorating kits during the Christmas season. That's really how I started, and then I learned to have a passion for it, and I've kept going since then.” 

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A new space opens more doors

Penner says she began attending craft sales in 2023, and earlier this year, she reached a major milestone of signing a lease for her own commercial kitchen. 

“It opens up my business with so many different opportunities, to working with businesses, to doing custom orders and stuff like that. Really just learning to manage everything, and not be stressed.” 

The Tiny Baker in her new commercial kitchenPenner in her new commercial kitchen.

With a dedicated workspace, she says she is learning the realities of entrepreneurship. 

“How to manage money. Keeping my receipts is probably the hardest thing and I have to be mindful about stuff like that. But also learning to make product, but also be able to pay myself out too. Doing my cost analysis, making sure I know my prices. It's very important.” 

The new kitchen space does not just benefit Penner, she says it opens new doors for her customers. 

“What it means for them is they don't have to buy my stuff just at markets anymore. So, I can do birthday parties, weddings, and anniversary events. It opens up the doors to a lot more opportunity for them to purchase my stuff rather than just at a set market.” 

Looking ahead, Penner says she has big dreams including opening a storefront or owning a trailer. 

“I think I'd like to own a hot pink trailer and drive around and sell my baked goods. That’s probably one of my biggest dreams.” 

For now, she says she is staying focused on the present. 

“I'm kind of just living it day by day, trusting in God, and just focusing on the now.” 

A growing menu and lessons learned 

Penner’s menu includes cookies, cinnamon buns, cakes, and more, but she says cupcakes remain her favourite. 

“There's so much variety. You can do so much stuff with them and add any type of filling you want. I feel like it's a personal preference. It depends on every person what their specific flavour will taste like.” 

She adds that she is also expanding her offerings with cheesecakes. 

“I've started doing a little bit of research for it, especially for my Easter presales that are opening this Saturday. So, then I'll have a mini egg cheesecake available.” 

Of course, the road hasn’t been without its mishaps. Penner laughs recalling her earliest baking fail. 

“We were trying to make brownies and didn't click on the full link of the recipe that my mother sent me. So that was horrible. We did try to eat it, but we couldn't even bite into it. But as for since I started my business, I think there was one or two times where I forgot to add baking soda to cupcakes, and it was just a disaster. But we all got to start somewhere.” 

Where to find the Tiny Baker 

Customers can place custom orders through Instagram and Facebook at the.tiny.baker.08. Penner says she will also continue to sell at local markets. 

“There's a Stoneybrook Artisan Market, and you can find me at most of the mall markets in the Clearspring Mall.” 

With files from Corny Rempel