After losing her job in 2008, <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1007162">Jessica Vu</a> transformed herself into a baker. She whips up biscotti in her kitchen and sells them to local grocery stores and at a farmers' market stall in Dayton, Ohio.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
After losing her job in 2008, Jessica Vu transformed herself into a baker. She whips up biscotti in her kitchen and sells them to local grocery stores and at a farmers' market stall in Dayton, Ohio.
Courtesy Patrick Arnold
Through her business, Bites of Nostalgia, she sells biscotti in flavors such chocolate-caramel pretzel, chocolate almond and lemon poppy seed.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
Through her business, Bites of Nostalgia, she sells biscotti in flavors such chocolate-caramel pretzel, chocolate almond and lemon poppy seed.
Courtesy Patrick Arnold
To help promote her business, Vu secured a spot at a farmers' market in Dayton. Being at the market brings her close to customers who tell her what they like about her biscotti and what flavors they'd like to see.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
To help promote her business, Vu secured a spot at a farmers' market in Dayton. Being at the market brings her close to customers who tell her what they like about her biscotti and what flavors they'd like to see.
To start baking in her home, Vu researched cottage bakery laws in Ohio.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
To start baking in her home, Vu researched cottage bakery laws in Ohio.
Vu tries both seasonal and traditional Italian flavors, such as almond-anise biscotti.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
Vu tries both seasonal and traditional Italian flavors, such as almond-anise biscotti.
Vu tries to keep her offerings fresh and new by rotating seasonal flavors every few months. For summer, she is featuring lemon poppy seed biscotti.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
Vu tries to keep her offerings fresh and new by rotating seasonal flavors every few months. For summer, she is featuring lemon poppy seed biscotti.
Vu says cranberry-pistachio is a customer favorite that she offers year-round.
From building homes to baking biscotti —
Vu says cranberry-pistachio is a customer favorite that she offers year-round.
Courtesy Patrick Arnold
Vu's chocolate-caramel pretzel biscotti is a combination of sweet and savory flavors. This treat was inspired by her husband, who challenged her to re-create his favorite candy: salted caramel.
Passion to profit: A baker's success story —
Vu's chocolate-caramel pretzel biscotti is a combination of sweet and savory flavors. This treat was inspired by her husband, who challenged her to re-create his favorite candy: salted caramel.
Courtesy Patrick Arnold