Meet Nicci Russell | Owner & Head Baker

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

Hi Nicci, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is a must in life if you want to live your life to the fullest. Playing it safe in life will only keep things comfortable for you and you will never truly grow. I had to take a big risk to get to the point where I am now, and it was the best choice in life I have made so far. A few years ago, I graduated from Michigan State with a B.S. in Neuroscience, and was trying to pursue medical school as I worked as a researcher. Unfortunate at that time, I was waitlisted, and ultimately denied. This forced me to make a tough decision; I could try harder and pursue this career I thought was for me, or change everything and start fresh. I made a choice to focus on my happiness instead of a career that was driven by monetary value. I decided once I am happy and content with my life, everything else will fall into place. I quit my research job and moved out to Colorado to find my place. A year after moving here, I decided I would give my cupcake passion a try and it was a success. I absolutely credit all of my success in Colorado and with my pastry business to my initial risk of leaving my comfortable 9-5 job and life in Michigan to pursue a life based on happiness. If I hadn’t made that initial move I wouldn’t feel comfortable or confident enough to do what I really love.

Now when we take risk taking and baking, those concepts go hand and hand. I am constantly challenged on social media and in my kitchen to push boundaries in baking and try something new. If you aren’t challenging yourself then you will not be able to grow in your career as well. Whether it’s trying out a new buttercream flower technique, working with chocolate, or a cake design, there is always a payoff when you take risks and push yourself a little further. I am consistently impressed by what I can do when I just push myself a little bit more.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My pastry business, which is debuting its rebranding: Baked In Breck (previously known as Kiki’s Kitchen @pastrybynicci), is a custom pastry experience. I specialize in creating custom cupcakes and cakes for any occasion. My pastry business is different from other pastry businesses in Summit County because I create gourmet cupcakes. My gourmet cupcakes start with a delicious and moist cake for the base, paired with a surprisingly flavorful filling, topped with a rich, light and complimentary frosting, and finished with a delicious and beautiful garnish. Baking at high altitude is not easy, so there are not many other business doing the same thing as me. Yes, there are other delicious and successful bakeries and pastry business in the area that I support, but I believe my gourmet cupcakes and custom cakes set me apart from the competition.

I have learned all of my baking skills from my grandmother and from the internet. There are so many resources available now that allow you to learn anything yourself. I am so grateful for the internet and social media for allowing me to excel in my craft by learning from other professionals. I have found such a creative and inspiring community on social media that has allowed me to grow as a pastry artist.

It was very difficult to get established as a professional and to start my business. One of my biggest challenges I encountered was finding a commercial kitchen to work in. Honestly, I had no idea where to start, so that was rather difficult. I ended up just calling business after business, hoping for a lead. I encountered mainly all dead ends so it was rather frustrating. I am very grateful to one chef that answered their phone and helped me secure a kitchen. I owe all of this to Andre Hampton, owner and head chef for Black Diamond Catering. Andre threw me a bone when it felt like no one else cared to help. He sympathized with me as he recalled being a young chef, working out of his apartment, trying to start his business in Breckenridge years back.

Along the way, I’ve learned persistence is key. Just because you hit a few road blocks along the way, don’t ever give up. It’s not supposed to be easy. If it was, everyone would do it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love entertaining guests because we are lucky to live in a destination where there is so much to do. I would take my friends to go snowboarding at Breckenridge or Keystone. If they were here in the summer I would take them on one of my favorite hikes with the dogs on Swan mountain and kayaking at Lake Dillon. For a nice dinner, we are going to Hearthstone and getting the Elk and Lamb. Afterwards we are heading to Cecilia’s to get the best espresso martinis in town.

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?
I am dedicating my pastry business to my grandmother, Collette Russell. She is my biggest inspiration and she was my greatest supporter. I still remember her teaching me how to make crepes over 15 years ago. She was the best cook, artist, and person I have ever met. She always found a way to be inspired and to inspire others. The kitchen for her, was a place for love; a place to create something that brought everyone together. Looking back on her life, it now seems almost too fitting that the last dish we ever made together in the kitchen was a cake. A coconut cream cake to be exact. My grandmother always gave me the support and encouragement to follow my dreams, and I think she is smiling down at me knowing she is still with me everyday in the kitchen.

Instagram: @bakedin_breck

Facebook: @bakedinbreck

Tiktok: @bakedinbreck

Others: 
Email: Pastrybynicci@gmail.com
Tiktok: @bakedinbrec