EAST AURORA, N.Y. — When you make certain baked goods, you probably know they usually use typical ingredients — maybe eggs, butter, or sugar.
But a woman in East Aurora shares what might be the most important part to add to the mix: Joy.
Patti Meyer started her day on Wednesday doing what she's done for several years and that's baking. A couple of years ago, she was looking for a way to spend more time with her family. That idea inspired a new recipe for her life.
"I have an arts background with art education and a dance background," she said. "I love teaching, I love teaching dance, so I started watching decorating videos of cookies. I could totally do that. So my husband came home. I was like I am going to stay home now and make cookies. He said, 'OK, honey.' "
That started Confectionery Perfections. This dance teacher turned baker started the business four years ago.
"I really enjoy that it's totally mine," she said. "I'm in charge of it. I get to do it. I get to make all the decisions, whether it's good or bad, and I get to look back. It's super fulfilling."
It's a labor of love for Meyer. She even includes her family on big decisions.
"My 8-year-old Charlie loves to taste-test for me, and he is brutally honest, so I know that if he doesn't like it, there may be someone out there that doesn't like it. I totally take his word as gold," Meyer said.
Her recipes include all the right ingredients including baking up smiles to the people she shares them with.
"My true passion is making people happy," Meyer said. "So, doing something for them that can bring a smile so whether it's teaching dance and watching the kids up on the stage and the parents tear up and it's this and I drop off cookies for a celebration and they can't believe that I made that for them. That's what I love doing bringing a smile to people's face."
You can find more about Patti Meyer and her business on Confectionary Perfections.