Meet Martha Whitlock | Baker

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

Hi Martha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 9 years in the Army, I decided it was time for a career change. Getting out of the military can be a big shift and I’m still figuring out what I want to do next but have always had a passion for food, especially baked goods. I grew up in New England where there are many excellent, family-owned bakeries. As a kid, my mom would take my sisters and me to Sunset Bakery on Fridays for our after-school snack; it was allowance and bakery day! My parents instilled a love of food in my sisters and me. We would go on road trips to New Haven for pizza or visit different maple sugar shacks in search of the best syrup and pancakes. When I joined the military, I had the opportunity to live in different places and enjoy food from all over the world. It was incredible! However, I never found a bakery as good as Sunset, or at least as good as I remember it. After getting out of the Army in 2020, I enrolled in the Baking and Pastry program at Pikes Peak State College. Once in school, I started baking out of my home kitchen under the Colorado Cottage Food Act and Buttah Bakehouse was born. My aim with Buttah (pronounced like butter but drop the “r”… like a New Englander) is to recreate some of the small batch, fresh-baked goodness I had as a child.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Buttah Bakehouse strives to create cookies that make customers smile. Our cookies are large and perfect for sharing or treating yourself. We use quality ingredients including Sawatch butter and create unique flavors like Peanut Buttah and Jelly, Brown Buttah Pecan, Strawberry Shortcake and Apple Pie Snickerdoodle. We are most proud of the reaction people have when they bite into our Chocolate Chip cookie, Brown Buttah Pecan, Peanut Buttah and Jelly cookie or another fun flavor. When they smile after a bite, we’ve accomplished our goal.

Each month Buttah sets aside a portion of revenue to donate to local charities. The amount isn’t huge, but we’ve been able to donate to The Place (a youth homeless shelter), Springs Rescue Mission, The Children’s Literacy Center, Angels of America’s Fallen and Meals on Wheels. I’m most excited for this amount to grow and for Buttah to have a larger impact within our community. I keep telling myself that if we put good out the universe will provide.

Buttah has grown because of the support from our incredible customers. They are wonderful and continue to order and show up at markets and pop-ups. With that, I’m learning how to scale up as demand increases. I’ve heard that it’s easy to start a business but hard to grow one and see the truth in it now. One of the biggest challenges is product pricing and keeping cookies affordable with more overhead costs. As many have noticed, the cost of goods has gone up and the rising cost of ingredients has an impact on the food service industry. I’m learning that I need to account for rising prices, rent in a commissary kitchen, packaging and labor. It’s a giant math problem. While I’d rather just create fun cookie flavors, I’m learning how to charge appropriately and appreciate customers who continue to support.

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.
If friends were visiting, their trip would consist of eating across Colorado Springs. First, to build up our appetites, I would take them on a hike up Mt. Herman, just Northwest of Monument. Views are beautiful at the top. We would see the Continental Divide to the west, Palmer Divide to the north, Colorado Springs to the east, and Pikes Peak to the south. Then we would have a latte at Loyal Coffee, I’m in search of the best latte in town and am open to other locally owned suggestions, tell me!

Next, we would go to Boonzaaijers Dutch Bakery for a pastry, then Mark Anthony’s Pretzels for a jalapeno pretzel and beer cheese. After having our fill of carbohydrates, we would walk around Old Colorado City. Hopefully it’s a Saturday in the summer and we would visit the OCC Farmer’s Market where I would introduce them to Naughty Nutty Love Artisan Nut Butters. After the Farmer’s Market, we would have Salvadoran food at Monse’s Pupuseria, then I would take them on another hike. Mt Cutler and Muscoco Trailhead off N Cheyenne Canyon Road are a good option. After hiking, we would go to Poor Richard’s Bookstore so they could pick up a souvenir and find a book for the trip home. Finally for dinner, I would take them to church, The Carter Payne. It’s a community gathering place in an old church and the food is innovative and delicious. They have a wide selection of cocktails, mocktails, and craft beers. After eating our fill, I’d send them on their way…or have them stay for a trip Rocky Mountain National Park so we can get some more hiking in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people to recognize. My parents instilled in me a love of quality food made with care. My husband is my biggest fan and gives me honest feedback when I’m recipe testing. The Culinary instructors at Pikes Peak State College are incredible. The staff ensures students understand topics and techniques being taught and Chef Michael Paradiso and Chef Gary Hino visited me nearly every weekend at the Farmer’s Market. Finally, Colorado Springs has many small business owners that are collaborative and supportive. Nancy Pitu of Mama Pitu’s Cookies helped me get my feet wet at Farmer’s Markets and often works with me. Liz Deen of Cotton Blossom Caramel in Black Forest is inspiring. Liz has grown her Cottage Food business to an impressive, local brand and is always willing to offer advice. Outside the Breadbox (the best gluten free bread in town) has taught me about baking on a larger scale. These are just a few of the small local businesses that have offered mentorship, but I’m finding that Colorado Springs has many collaborative business owners that are ready to offer support and encouragement.

Website: https://www.buttahbakehouse.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButtahBakehouse/

Image Credits
Sherene Martensen Photography, LLC Martha Whitlock