a look back at 2022 and a look ahead for 2023

Challenging that is the word I would use to describe the year 2022 for me. For someone who strives for professional success and always looking to grow in my career I’ve been pretty disappointed and set-back this past year. A lot of things were out of my control and I had to roll with the tides that felt like they came daily. However, with adversity comes strength, resilience, learning lessons and the ability to test yourself in what I hope to call a once in a lifetime situation. And for the lessons I’ve learned that is one thing I’m thankful for.

With the challenges came a lot more stress and anxiety than I’ve ever dealt with before, to the point that my mental health has not in been in a good state, hence the reason for me being quiet on my blog this past year. I’ve noticed me secluding myself because of the anxiousness I feel and not wanting to burden loved ones with my problems or talk about them (everyone has things they are going through). When I have gone out to social functions while I’m grateful to have those moments with friends and family I’ve left always questioning myself, am I a good enough friend, daughter, sister, aunt… I’m sharing this because I have to, it’s so important for people to understand that everyone is going through difficult things but what’s more important is to know you’re not alone and it will get better. I can say that with therapy it’s been a great way for me to get the help I need. And while it hasn’t been easy at times I can say the high tides will eventually stop and it will turn back to a peaceful day.

I’ve mentioned this in other end of year posts where I don’t necessarily make resolutions at the end of the year, but I will do more of a “re-set” with intentions and goals for the year ahead knowing I will most likely adjust them because you change, the footprint around you changes and that’s ok.

Looking ahead to 2023 I want to get back to doing things for me. While I will always be very career driven (it’s who I’ve always been) I’ve learned and am starting to accept that you have to look out for you. I’m hoping that I can re-focus my time and efforts on what is good, what is right and what will make me a better version of myself. With all of that, I’d like to sprinkle in some more adventures, trips and just enjoying the present moment.

This post has been pretty depressing and that’s not what I’ve ever wanted my site to be about, but I have always kept it real on here and sometimes it’s not always going to be butterflies and sunshine. BUT I will always try my best to find the positive in any situation and with that there were some bright spots throughout this year that meant more to me than some of you will ever really know and I’d like to end the year with those.

Dinner at the Plating Society with Chef Darian and my friends who I met through YPOP. They have been some of the best friends and support system I’ve had this year.

My trip to Utah with my sister this summer. It was a trip filled with adventure, the outdoors and nature, laughs and love. (National Park Service)

My family trip to Ocean City, Maryland. It was a trip with unexpected turns but the memories and time spent together is something I will always be grateful for.

Meeting and building some great friendships and relationships with people in the community. A big shout out to Nick and Brian from The Bakers Men Buffalo and to Kristen from Meet & Eat Charcuterie for introducing us to each other in 2021. Working with Angelica at Event Lab Buffalo has been a pleasure. Jodi from Curate Buffalo and the introductions she’s made for me with Chef MaryRuth Rera, Julie Blackman at Farmers and Artisans and Blackman Homstead Farm. Buffalo Olmsted Parks for letting me help with their Gala. These are some of the people who have reminded me how fun it is to work and collaborate with people in our community.

A quick trip to NYC a few weeks ago with my Dad and niece. It was my niece’s first time in the city. We did a lot of tourist things and caught up with my friend Lacey and got to see the Phantom of the Opera before is closes in the spring.

Going back to the Sterling Renaissance Festival with the family this summer. It’s been a number of years since we’ve been and how things have changed but stayed the same. It was a fun time with lots of great family memories.

Experiencing the Buffalo Zoo Catillion this summer with friends. It was a new event experience for the Zoo and I was happy to celebrate it with the YPOP gals.

Celebrating my brother’s 40th birthday with his friends and our family this summer.

Sprinkled in to all these bright spots were other bright moments that were equally as important and memorable to me. Whatever it is that you have set out for yourself in the year ahead I hope it’s filled with laughter, love, kindness and patience.

xo

Beth

The Bakers Men Buffalo

Photo courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Persistent, creative, fun, self-taught, kind, and organized, these are just a few of the many traits that describe Brian Muffoletto and Nick Napierala, who make up The Bakers Men Buffalo . Together for seven years, they both are school teachers by day (Brian, a 2nd Grade Teacher at Eggert Rd Elementary in Orchard Park and Nick, an Elementary Art Teacher at Elma and Wales in Iroquois) and creative cookie masters by night.

“Creativity can be found in any aspect of your life”

Catch my story with them below on how The Bakers Men Buffalo got started and what they’re doing now.

It all started with their love to host parties. One day after scrolling through social media looking at cookie videos Brian and Nick decided to try something new for their upcoming Easter guests and created some sweet cookie desserts. After teaching themselves through videos online they presented their cookies to their guests and while they looked great, they tasted horrible. Back to the drawing board they gave it a second try for the 4th of July, when the cookies still didn’t taste great, they went back to the drawing board and played with recipes on what they liked and didn’t like. After almost a whole year they came back to their friends and family on the following Easter (in 2019) and presented their new cookies that not only looked amazing, they tasted great!

Photos courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Their signature vanilla almond flavor is not too sweet but not bland, it’s the perfect combination of deliciousness with soft frosting that compliments a soft, but light crunch cookie. In 2019 during this 3rd attempt at perfecting their recipe they were approached by a casting agency for the Food Network. One of their hashtags is #malebakers so it caught the attention on social media of the show. After an intensive interview process and months that had gone by Brian and Nick were surprised to hear back from the agency in August of 2020. As the months went by they officially launched their business, Nick designed their logo, including the Buffalo Skyline in it, they created their website and did their first business order for a friend of theirs, Genevie, who owns Designing Dish in East Aurora, all while they were busy creating a commercial kitchen in their basement that is NYS Inspected.

Photos taken by Neal Urban Photography

Because of work scheduling Nick had to step back from being on the Food Network but Brian moved forward and competed against four other bakers. The show aired in November of 2020, and Brian’s cookie theme was Christmas of the Future and his design was Space Christmas, think a Christmas Tree on the moon, Santa and Gingerbread. Competing in the first round the judges thought Brian’s cookie flavor was to safe and he came back to Buffalo but not without making new friends from the show and gaining a lot of experience from that opportunity.

As they continue to have fun, they run a successful business and I’m impressed with the motivation both men have with how they self-taught themselves in recipe development, web design, food photography, social media and much more. They are persistent, learn from their mistakes and keep going. All while using the power of creativity, sharing what they do and applying what they know.

Photos courtesy of The Bakers Men Buffalo

Brian and Nick do all sorts of fun cookie orders, from Christmas themes to their signature Buffalo cookies, to custom orders, there is very little they can’t do in my opinion. They have over 700 cutters that are all organized and categorized so if you have an idea they are sure to be able to create it. They also host fun cookie classes in collaboration with other local business owners like Meet and Eat Charcuterie, Lago, Six Friends Cabernet, Shea’s and Designing Dish, and they’re not done, they have a bucket list of people they’d love to collaborate with. If you’re looking to get a hold of them the best way to contact them is through email: thebakersmenbuffalo@gmail.com

When I asked them my signature question - What do they love about Buffalo ? They replied .. the City of Good Neighbors is true here in Western New York. We meet people on social and events and we get to collaborate with them. The art community is incredible and there is always something to do and learn, it gives us an appreciation of where we live. We love the seasons too!

When I asked them what there favorite part of their business is they said they enjoy meeting the people they do business with, they become like part of the family. They also enjoy being able to bounce ideas off of each other and create a theme and from there a design and color palette, textures, playing with images and text. They are constantly learning and looking at new ideas through other cookiery’s on social media.

When you run a business on top of having full time jobs you still have to find time to have a work/life balance. You also have to invest in yourself, especially when you offer a quality product that not only looks good but tastes good, you can’t sell yourself short. You need to charge your worth and learn your limits, two great pieces of advice as I close out this sweet feature on two talented, creative men.

-B