I had the pleasure of interviewing the amazing, Jodi Jefferson, owner/operator of Busy Bee Baking Co. LLC. I have had the pleasure of experiencing her incredible deserts for many occasions. She is so incredible, and hope she is your first choice if you’re looking for Omaha’s best cakes and treats.
- Tell me about you!
I’m a 21 year veteran of the United States Air Force where I worked as a flight attendant for our nation’s leaders for 17 years. During those years, I flew with and served many cabinet members, Secretary Colin
Powell, Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary Jim Mattis, Vice
President Dick Cheney, First Lady Laura Bush, First Lady Michelle Obama, President George W.
Bush, President Barrack Obama and many other domestic and international leaders. As I
neared retirement I was fortunate enough to complete a 6-month internship with Chef Bob
Haney, Owner/Operator of Heavenly Waffles. Unfortunately, my internship was during the
peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, many of Chef Haney’s catering jobs had been
canceled due to the limitations on large gatherings. During that 6 month period, I was able to
shadow him on the job minimally but mainly we were able to discuss the business aspect of
things which was huge for me even though I had already attained a degree in business
management. Previously, while stationed near Washington D.C. I had a significant clientele
built up for my baking business, however, after having children and moving halfway across the
country I suddenly didn’t have any clientele. During that 6 month period in 2020, I was able to
begin baking again and use social media as a platform to build back my clientele in the local
area. It’s truly been incredible to watch the reach that some of my posts have and for that, I’m
incredibly grateful. I distinctly recall a post that showcased Pineapple Whip cupcakes reaching
over 15,000 people on Facebook and not even understanding how that was possible as at the
time I didn’t and still don’t have 15,000 followers. It wasn’t until later that a neighbor told
me that Stacey Winters from Omaha Food Lovers was sharing my posts on that page which was
causing the incredible reach. For that, I was incredibly thankful and became aware of this
amazing page. My business continued to grow as I became aware that I, myself could post my
confection concoctions on the OFL page.
- How did you get started and why baking?
I’m unlike most bakers as I don’t have a set menu because I’m continuously asked to create new items/recipes on a weekly basis therefore, it would be nearly impossible to upkeep a standard menu. Due to my extensive international travels, it’s not often that I’m requested to create something from another country/culture and those are the requests that I absolutely love.
I got started baking, my mom and grandmother were a huge influence in that as I grew up as the “chubby” kid because they were always baking and keeping delicious treats around the house. My mom always taught me that the quickest way to a man’s heart was through his stomach and I truly believe that. I have a husband and 3 children that thoroughly enjoy the many “extras” that find themselves in the kitchen on a daily basis.
- What service do you offer that is perfect for mamas?
I would have to say that the best service that I can offer to local mamas is something to fulfill those sweet pregnancy cravings as well as cakes for their babes’ one-year smash cake sessions that aren’t overly sweet.
- What is your most popular item?
I can’t really name one specific item because things tend to go in ebbs and flows since I don’t have a set menu. I could post a cake one week and it is super popular for several weeks and then the excitement kind of wears off until the next crazy concoction, which I absolutely love about my business. However, for cake smashes, the vanilla bean seems to be the most popular for that age group.
- What is a client experience like with you?
They can expect to receive complete professionalism and transparency when interacting with
me. I’ve never taken a professional cake decorating class and I am completely self-taught,
however, I’m very particular myself and would never send anything out the door that I wasn’t
completely satisfied with myself.
