The scent of spice and vanilla extract lingers in the kitchen, whirling around a pan of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
Coppell High School senior Isabella Osbaldeston glazes a layer of frosting over the steaming rolls and admires the appetizing product of her hard work.
“I have been baking since I was old enough to sit upright on the counter and help my mom,” Osbaldeston said. “Baking has always been my passion. It’s how I connect with people.”
Osbaldeston shares her love for baking through her small business, BellsSweetOfTheWeek, founded during her sophomore year.
“I would take on a different baking project each week and use my stress to fuel something positive,” Osbaldeston said. “I was making so much, I simply had to share. It has been an amazing opportunity to raise some money for my college years.”
“First of all, the food she sells is absolutely delicious,” CHS senior Neel Hammers said. “It’s all homemade, which means it feels comfortable. There is no manufacturing the care she puts into all of her treats.”
Influenced by family recipes, Osbaldeston carries on the tradition of baking sweet treats.
(Karen Mascarenhas)
“I love making my traditional family holiday sweets because they taste like home and remind me of some of my favorite memories,” Osbaldeston said. “These include my Aunt Jill’s green stuff, my mom’s seven layer bars and my Nana’s buffalo chocolate chip cookies.”
From managing orders to purchasing ingredients, Osbaledeston fosters a diligent mindset as she is completely independent in running her business.
“She became disciplined about marketing to her friends, the Coppell band and community to drive new orders coming in,” Osbaldeston’s mother Laura Wortman said. “Even when she wanted to do fun things with her friends, she stayed committed to making deliveries on time and not delaying her customers.”
Through her efforts, Osbaldeston created a successful reputation for her baking business.
“Whenever I’m craving a treat or snack, I know Bella has got me covered,” Hammers said. “Recently, she gave me some of her cinnamon rolls for free as a nice treat, and they were heavenly. I ate three and each time I told myself I wouldn’t grab another.”
Osbaldeston’s business has grown into more than a source of income. It is a reflection of her culinary talent and an aspect of her life that brings her comfort.
“She has such a great time focusing on the one thing that is so cathartic to her,” Wortman said. “This is something that’s fueled by her passion and she pours love into everything she bakes.”
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