Paw Bakery

Paw Bakery

Written by Michelle Davis Monday, 07 August 2006

Wagging tails and loving licks reward dog treat baker

Dogs are known as man’s best friend, providing companionship and love. But how do their owners return the love? They give treats, of course. Jasmine Lee, owner of Paw Bakery, has been baking cakes and treats for the past five years that look good enough for human consumption, but are only tasty for the canines in our lives.

Upon graduating from college almost eight years ago, Lee gave herself a present named Pepper, a cocker spaniel who eventually led her to the creation of Paw Bakery.

“I had always wanted a dog, but couldn’t get one in college,” Lee said. “So after I graduated, got a job and was stable enough to afford to feed him and myself, I got Pepper and he’s been the best gift.”

Lee purchased treats for Pepper all the time before a friend from Singapore gave her a recipe for dog treats. As a project manager for a telecommunications company in Arkansas, she began baking for Pepper as well as friends’ and coworkers’ dogs in her spare time.

“It started out as a hobby and then I started making more and more,” Lee said. “I worked with a nonprofit organization in Little Rock donating my profits and treats for dogs at the shelter.”

Lee moved to Round Rock two years ago and decided to make this her full time occupation.

“It’s better working for dogs rather than a boss, and it’s very rewarding,” Lee said. “I don’t get bonuses, but I get paid in bones, a lot of wagging tails and kind licks from dogs and that’s the best!”

Lee does research and keeps up to date on what is nutritious and good for dogs through pet product magazines. She insists on using fresh ingredients with no artificial flavors or dyes.

“Quality is really important to me, I want the best for Pepper and I know that what I make needs to be really good,” Lee said. “I like to add a special touch to everything I do, so it’s not just like everything else out there.”

Lee does the baking from her home and sells to wholesale vendors, to orders placed on her Web site and to shoppers at the Austin Farmers Market every Saturday.

“Because I don’t have a shop, it’s really hard. The farmers market is my shop,” Lee said. “It’s challenging at times but I’m very flexible and willing to meet people to bring them their cakes or to the market. Maybe someday I will be able to get my own shop, but for now this works.”

Paw Bakery Treats sold at these locations:

• Austin Farmers Market on 4th and Guadalupe
• Bee Cave Farmers Market on Hwy 71
• First Thursday every month on South Congress
• Austin Gift Company on South Lamar
• Austin Canine Central on Brentwood
• Bark ‘N Purr on Burnet
• Dog Boys in Pflugerville
• Dog Camp in Driftwood
• K9 Lives in Barton Creek, Highland, and Hulen Malls

Paw Bakery, P.O. Box 5374, Round Rock, TX 78683 • 512-825-9596 www.pawbakery.com