Meet Bea Scala | WKND Bake Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bea Scala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

To be honest, I don’t think I ever set out to be a “risk-taker” in the traditional sense. For me, risk is the quiet decision to honor your inner voice—even when it goes against the grain. It’s the soft rebellion of trusting your own rhythm in a world that often asks you to rush. WKND Bake was born from a feeling – a quiet but persistent desire to learn and create something beautiful, meaningful, and mine. The biggest risk I’ve taken wasn’t just starting a bakery—it was choosing to believe that my vision, taste, and intuition were enough to build something real.

WKND Bake was a slow build—weekend after weekend spent immersed in the science of baking. There were countless trials learning the complexity of brioche, but with every lesson came a deeper respect for the process. That journey led to this idea—to elevate the craftsmanship of something as nostalgic as a brioche cinnamon roll and give it the care, time and space it deserves. With every brioche roll, I’m not just selling a baked good—I’m offering a moment of pause, a gesture of intention. WKND Bake is built on the belief that care and consistency are a form of service.

I took the risk of doing things differently: crafting a brand around slow joy and detail in a fast-paced world, leading with softness in an industry that often rewards hustle. I didn’t follow a traditional path—I created my own systems, my own pace, and my own standards for what success looks like. And that required trust in myself. So yes, I take risks. But they are deeply considered, guided by instinct, refined through craft, and aligned with a long view of purpose. I’ve learned that when you create from a place of sincerity, your people will find you.

Today, WKND Bake is more than a bakery—it’s a reflection of what I believe in: a belief in consistency and care as a form of service, craft that honors process and emotion, and entrepreneurship as a form of self-trust. I didn’t choose the easy path, but I chose the true one. And to me, that’s the most worthwhile risk of all.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
WKND Bake is a brioche-forward bakery built on the belief that nostalgia and refinement can exist in the same bite. We specialize in handcrafted brioche rolls—each one made with intention, flavor, balance, and a commitment to consistency. What sets WKND Bake apart is the product and the energy behind it. Everything we do is rooted in emotion, process, and a quiet sense of care. Every flavor we release is rooted in intention and emotion—crafted to spark memory, comfort, or curiosity in every bite.

I’m self-taught, and this business was built weekend by weekend—batch by batch, mistake by mistake. Brioche isn’t easy to work with. It’s sensitive and it taught me patience and precision. I learned early on that you can’t force something to rise before it’s ready and that truth has followed me into every part of the business.

Nothing about this has been easy. I didn’t have funding, equipment, or a permanent kitchen. What I did have was a vision: to elevate something timeless, shine the spotlight on it again. There were so many moments I wanted to give up—but I kept going because something in me knew this mattered.

I’m most proud of the people WKND Bake has reached—the customers who feel connected to the brioche rolls, the folks who line up early making sure to get there before selling out, everyone who’s come back and supported me multiple times. That loyal connection and trust? That’s what makes it worth it.

I want people to know that WKND Bake wasn’t created overnight. It’s been slow and deliberate by design. I built it by showing up, over and over, without shortcuts. This is a brand shaped by rhythm, by care, and by the belief that baking is a form of service. That’s the story I’m telling—one roll at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my best friend Gianna came to visit Colorado for her birthday in November a couple years back, I wanted to give her a week filled with everything I love about this place—cozy towns, natural beauty, good food, and a little bit of spooky fun.

We started our trip in Glenwood Springs, staying at The Hotel Denver (as it was called then). We spent hours soaking in the hot springs, wandering through downtown, and trying out the local restaurants and brewery—every spot had that small-town charm but with great food and energy. We even found this adorable ice cream shop and chocolatier that made the whole afternoon feel like a treat. One of the most unexpected highlights was the Ghost Tour, which led us to Doc Holliday’s grave—a little spooky, very entertaining, and such a memorable experience.

We spent a night in Black Hawk to try our luck at the casinos. Let’s just say we didn’t hit the jackpot, but we definitely left with good stories and a lot of laughs.

Back in Denver, we set aside a full day to explore the city. We went to afternoon tea at The Brown Palace, which felt like stepping into another era in the best way—refined, calm, and just really special. That evening, we had dinner at a French restaurant in Larimer Square, surrounded by twinkly lights and a little bit of that classic Denver charm.

One of my favorite moments was visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens during Día de los Muertos. The gardens were full of life— the kind of beauty that makes you slow down and really take it in. It felt like the perfect way to honor the season and reflect.

The whole trip was a reminder of how much Colorado has to offer. In just a few days, we got to experience natural hot springs, quirky history, local food, and the creative pulse of the city. Getting to share that with Gianna, to celebrate her in a way that felt intentional and full of joy—that’s what made it unforgettable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt, my husband deserves the biggest shoutout. He’s been my #1 fan since day one—the quiet backbone behind WKND Bake. He believed in my dream before it was real, and he’s been there through every early morning, every messy kitchen, every hard decision. His support has been constant—not just in words, but in presence, patience, and love. I couldn’t have built WKND Bake without him.

I also want to give so much credit to the community that has shown up for WKND Bake again and again—especially at wknd markets. Every person who stood in line, came back the next wknd, told a friend, sent a kind message, spread the word – you’ve helped support WKND Bake more than you know.

There’s also a quiet camaraderie among small business owners that has been so meaningful. Fellow vendors who offer tips, lend supplies, swap stories, and simply cheer each other on from across the way—it’s a kind of generosity that isn’t loud but stays with you. Being surrounded by people who are building things with their hands and hearts has reminded me that success isn’t a solo effort. It’s woven through community, kindness, and shared belief.

Let’s not forget the market organizers who gave me a chance and to those who made space for small bakers like me and built platforms that spotlight local talent with care and intention. Creating these spaces and opportunities takes so much behind-the-scenes work, and I’m endlessly grateful to be part of these spaces.

Website: https://hotplate.com/wkndbake

Instagram: wkndbakecolorado