Meet Irina Gorbun | Founder of “Kookiz and Kakez”

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

Hi Irina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always enjoyed baking ever since I was 12 years old. All of my friends kept telling me to start my own business and sell cakes and pastries so others can appreciate the flavors and the fact that every single cake I bake is made from scratch. Some recipes are of a third generation that my grandma used, which makes me proud to be able to share that with others. The idea of starting my own business “Kookiz and Kakez” came to realization within the last year, after I completed my award-winning Community Action Project (CAP) through Dress for Success. Thanks to that project I developed many skills that were outside of my comfort zone and proved to myself that I CAN be successful as long as I am passionate about what I do! Also, during the COVID pandemic I redirected the focus onto my own personal growth and development. It was the perfect timing to reevaluate what my passion was. As of May 11, 2021, I decided to sign up for a baking competition in hopes that my cakes and votes make me a winner. You can also find my baking portfolio here: https://greatestbaker.com/2021/irina-gorbun I am very excited to introduce “Kookiz and Kakez” to you and am looking forward to this new adventure!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
1) What was your thought process behind starting your own business? I have always enjoyed baking ever since I was 12 years old. All of my friends kept telling me to start my own business and sell cakes and pastries so others can appreciate the flavors and the fact that every single cake I bake is made from scratch. Some recipes are of a third generation that my grandma used, which makes me proud to be able to share that with others. The idea of starting my own business “Kookiz and Kakez” came to realization within the last year, after I completed my award-winning Community Action Project (CAP) through Dress for Success. Thanks to that project I developed many skills that were outside of my comfort zone and proved to myself that I CAN be successful as long as I am passionate about what I do! Also, during the COVID pandemic I redirected the focus onto my own personal growth and development. It was the perfect timing to reevaluate what my passion was. As of May 11, 2021, I decided to sign up for a baking competition in hopes that my cakes and votes make me a winner. You can also find my baking portfolio here:
https://greatestbaker.com/2021/irina-gorbun
I am very excited to introduce “Kookiz and Kakez” to you and am looking forward to this new adventure!

2) Risk-taking: How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
To be honest, risk scares me. I am more of a practical person and to be unsure of what can happen definitely gets me nervous. I don’t even like to gamble or buy lottery tickets, that is how much risk makes me uncomfortable ha-ha. However, only when I take risks, I will know if something can be great or have opportunities. When I was selected to complete and compete for a Community Action Project at Dress for Success in 2019, I was very anxious. I didn’t know what would happen or how or if I would even make it to the top 3 winners. Keep in mind, that 2 years prior, both contestants from Denver won 1st place internationally; therefore, my own expectations were high, but something inside of me told me I would win. I had to prepare myself mentally to accept the challenge and think positive, that my project will be a winner and will benefit ladies in the Denver Metro Community. Little did I know that it was only the beginning of my personal transformation. My Community Action Project “The 5 Languages of Money” was the reason I am ready to open up my own business now.

With taking direction into a baking business, I feel more comfortable for several reasons. First, I have many years of experience with baking. Secondly, I gained a lot of invaluable information throughout my CAP. And, lastly, I feel ready to take this new road of adventure.

3) Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?

I was born in Minsk, Belarus. I was raised in the middle-class family, where my parents always figured out how to stretch money and make the best use of anything. Cooking always interested me, so I learned how to cook at the age of seven, but baking attracted me even more around the age of 12. Back then the ingredients were simple and you baked with what you had available, especially seasonal fruit/berries. I learned how to substitute ingredients and make delicious cakes from almost anything. Funny thing is that even after living in the U.S.A. for 24 years, I still use the metric system when I measure ingredients.

4) What is the most/important factor behind your success/the success of your brand? I have many years of baking experience and I make everything from scratch. By measuring ingredients, it allows me to see where I can reduce sugar, butter or a certain ingredient and still make a delicious cake, but on the healthier side. I have also learned how to bake glute-free and dairy-free cakes to accommodate people who cannot have it due to food intolerances.

5) What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?
My goal is to make it to the baking show on TV. I would love to have a baking show where I can teach others how to make simple and healthy cakes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver has many great places to visit. Luckily, more businesses are opening back up since COVID and I would be able to show my friend around. As for food, Jing in DTC has great atmosphere and delicious food and drinks. Another great sushi place is Edo Higan in Lone Tree, they are famous for their presentation. Casa Mariachi is another local restaurant in Parker that serves authentic Mexican food and has a very unique interior painting. Colorado is also known for its outdoor activities, plenty of parks, trails and sites to visit. There are 3 inclines located in the south part of Denver (Parker, Castle Rock and Manitou Springs) and then there is Red Rocks Amphitheater to visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Dress for Success Denver has changed my life for better. They motivated me, believed in me, encouraged me and pushed me to show that I can! They guided me all the way and I became a better version of myself thanks to them.

Website: https://greatestbaker.com/2021/irina-gorbun

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kookiz_and_kakez/