Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawnee Corbett.
Hi Shawnee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in San Francisco, CA, to artist/foodie parents who do not claim it but are also very scientific. My mom, a massage therapist, which is a scientific yet artistic profession, instilled in me one of the oldest practical arts and an integrative medicine. My dad was a wrestler and coaches to this day, studying the human body and techniques to improve his athletes. He is also a painter and would draw on my paper lunch bags every day before I left for school. We moved to New Jersey, where I did all of my schooling from Kindergarten to High School. We traveled a lot to visit family since it was just my brothers and my parents on the East Coast. I remember our travels to always be based about food; what dish was native or known for that city, trying new foods at places we’ve never been, learning how food is culture, etc. Food always brought my family together.
Growing up in NJ, I swam for most of my life and ended up with a swimming scholarship for a college in Mississippi. I’ve never been to Mississippi before, but took the chance and LEARNED SO MUCH. Southern cooking, Mississippi culture, and the land shocked/fascinated me. Long story short, I ended up staying there for my full four years of college and finished with a degree in environmental science. I love everything about science but also loved art, so I would sign up for ceramic classes in addition to my required courses in college (my advisor was not happy about that).
After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I was accepted to NC State for a graduate degree in Entomology, where I worked in a row crop research lab. Oddly enough, this is where my baking career began. Before receiving my master’s in Entomology, I knew something was missing. I started doing ceramics again (at NC State) with my little free time and felt a bit more accomplished. I then became very ill. I was diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, including: POTS and other forms of Dysautonomia, migraines with auras, a pituitary tumor, Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leak, multiple GI issues, and other cardiology issues. I had to stop doing everything but luckily was still able to graduate with my master’s.
My now-husband and I moved to Sonoma County, California so he could pursue more schooling. I had been out of work/school for about a year now and really longed to work, even if it was just one or two days a week. I found a new start-up local bakery called “Mama Mel’s Bread” who was looking for a part-time employee and I applied thinking I would not get a response. Melissa (Mama Mel) called me for an interview and I was in shock. I told her on my interview, “I have never baked bread before, but I understand it is a science and I’ve done ceramics, so I think I can be pretty good at it!” This still makes me laugh. Come to find out, she previously went to school for medicine and ended up leaving to create artisanal gluten-free bread for her patients/friends with celiacs. Her business is thriving today!!! Definitely check her out if you are in the Sonoma County, CA area!
We ended up moving back to NC just six months later and I immediately started working part-time for a catering company called Rocky Top Catering. Their head pastry chef, Beth, is the most patient and kind human. She taught me a lot of what I know now. I instantly became obsessed with pastry, working corporate/wedding events, and then I saw wedding cakes and other cakes in general at these events. I knew right away; I wanted to CREATE cakes! During my “rest/doctor appointment days,” I started baking cakes at home and taught myself how to build, decorate, execute, and deliver cakes. It’s truly thrilling. I could not believe how many people asked me to make them cakes just from word of mouth. Because of this, I started my first ever business, Mrs. Corbett & Co. LLC and my Instagram @mrs.corbettscakes in November 2020. Here I am, now a self-taught baker/pastry chef and loving every challenge that comes my way.
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?
My biggest obstacle and constant challenge is my health. Living with multiple chronic illness’s is a job in itself. You have weekly appointments, blood draws, shots, treatments, etc.
This being said, I honestly have to thank my illness for developing me into the person I am today. Chronic illness has thrown challenges my way every day, from taking my daily meds so I don’t faint- to hospital visits. Yes, being sick all the time stinks; however, it allowed me to realize that I needed to live my life doing what I truly loved and at the end of the day, that is creating. I love creating cakes and other baked goods. At the end of each day, I am able to say I baked x, y, and z for these clients and get that immediate gratification that I live for. Making people happy, smile, feel alive is all anyone wants and I know my cake creations do so.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My primary work is baking cakes! Birthday cakes, graduation cakes, wedding cakes, and cakes just to eat because why not? Honestly, any type of cake you can think of, I will try my best to create it! I also do pastries on the side like macarons, cupcakes, cookies, meringues, hot chocolate/chai latte bombs, brownies, pies, etc.
I am incredibly proud of myself for growing this small business. I am now building a home-certified commercial bakery on my in-law’s land in Selma, NC! I can not wait for it to be finished. My end goal is to own an event space/venue! This would be my dream. Down the road, if I could own a venue for weddings, family gatherings, showers, or graduation parties, I would be so grateful. I would move my kitchen equipment to the venue to allow for a nice large space for caterers to prep/cook for said party.
I truly love making others smile. I love being around events where everyone is happy and celebrating love or accomplishments. It gives me life and brings me chills to think that one day I could provide a safe space for these celebrations of life!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The pandemic showed me how reliant we as humans are on each other, especially when it comes to help. I was able to do my first wedding cakes during the pandemic. At that time, I had never made a wedding cake before. A few brides took a leap of faith by asking me to make them a smaller version of their original planned wedding cakes just so that they could still have cake on their big day! I had to say yes and help! I donated a lot of cakes to families and brides/grooms because the crisis is “the grinch who stole Christmas” for all large celebrations. I tried my best to help bring joy with my sweets.
Contact Info:
- Email: mrscorbettscakes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.corbettscakes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrs.corbettscakes/
Image Credits
Megan Schroeder
