Young Entrepreneur Bakes from the Heart
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By Emily Bontrager
Young entrepreneur, Walter Dunlap, is the main baker for the family business, Gigglewoods Bakery & Farm. Guided by his father, Walter has become an avid baker and he loves to share his tasty baked treats with others.
Gigglewoods Bakery & Farm is located in Dumas, MO. Walter is 12 years old and is a 6th grader. His parents are Shaun and Rachel Dunlap and he has a sister, Samantha.
In his free time, Walter loves to read books, play the piano, and play video games. He is also a member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club and entered in the baking competition at the Clark County Fair, where he won first place with his focaccia. Walter then had the opportunity to demonstrate his focaccia at the state fair.
Last summer, Walter noticed a need for baked goods at the farmers’ market held at the Gather Event Venue in Canton, MO. Walter told his parents he wanted to start baking and selling products at the farmers’ market.
“We went in our first time with cookies and bread and a whole bunch of stuff and the business has just grown from there,” Walter explained.
Gigglewoods now sells cookies, breads, homemade marshmallows, and other tasty treats at local events and farmers markets. They try to bake their food with as many natural products as they can.
“I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. Baking was sort of like an every once in a while thing I used to do,” Walter said.
“Dad usually helps me whenever we have super large orders.”
Of all the baked goods he makes, Walter enjoys making bread the most.
“Some of the breads are fun because you actually get your hands in there and do stuff with it,” Walter said.
Being an entrepreneur, Walter encourages other kids to follow their own dreams and start up their own businesses.
“Kids aren’t as obsolete as adults think they are,” Walter said.
“I want more kids getting into businesses because we went to a kid’s entrepreneur market and there were like seven kids there.”
Besides going to the Youth Entrepreneurs Market in Iowa, Walter has also sold his baked items at Christmas on the Square in Kahoka, MO, and the Clark County Mule Festival.
Recently, Walter has partnered with Grit-Grace Coffee Shop in Canton, MO and Kaho Coffee Co. in Kahoka, MO. He sells cookies at Grit-Grace and he provides homemade marshmallows for the s’mores latte at Kaho.
Walter is a young entrepreneur who one day hopes to own his own store to sell baked goods and a variety of other products. He is dedicated and creates some amazing treats in his kitchen.
You can check out Gigglewoods Bakery & Farm on their Facebook page. Make sure to watch the page for future events and if you want custom orders, you can also message their page.
