The Ground Floor, revisited: Incubator spawns other companies, cupcake business goes mobile

For the past 15 months, “The Ground Floor” has profiled entrepreneurs just starting out with new business ventures. On occasion, we'll check back with some of them to see how things are going, what's changed and what they've learned.

Cindy Kettelkamp and Emily Hamilton, Kettel House Bakery and Café

When Kettel House Bakery and Café appeared in the inaugural “Ground Floor” on May 15, 2012, the Marion business had been open just shy of a month. While the storefront was new, mother-daughter owners Cindy Kettelkamp and Emily Hamilton had been selling their pastries at farmers markets since 1996.

Knowing how difficult it can be to break into business, they decided to share the renovated house in which their shop is located with other female entrepreneurs.

Today, serving as an incubator for other women-owned businesses is still a part of the Kettel House mission.

“There is a big learning curve and a lot of expenses that go into opening a business,” Kettelkamp explained. “Many women just don't have the experience to jump in with both feet.”

One of the first incubated businesses, Take the Cake, is a success story. The gourmet cupcake shop operated within Kettel House from April to August 2012 and since has moved into its own space.

“We are really proud we were able to help her become a major force in Marion,” Kettelkamp said.

Kettel House currently is home to Chez Celia, which provides a combination of French and Asian baked goods, and a business that sells aprons and other kitchen textiles. Hamilton also sells her pottery at the shop.

Kettel House now serves lunch and has launched a new VIP text club to market to its customers.

• Owners: Cindy Kettelkamp and Emily Hamilton
• Company: Kettel House Bakery and Café
• Address: 945 Sixth Ave., Marion
• Phone: (319) 310-5509
• Website: www.thekettelhouse.com

 Kathy and Kaitlin Thomas, Buttercream Dreams

Meanwhile, another mother-daughter duo decided to take their baking business in a new direction.

When Buttercream Dreams was first profiled on Aug. 21, 2012, Kathy and Kaitlin Thomas had just opened a gourmet cupcake shop in Decorah. At the end of July of this year, they handed back the keys to the building.

“It was too much,” said Kathy Thomas, explaining that she and her husband both work full-time while daughter Kaitlin is a student at Upper Iowa University. “We had no idea how busy we'd be.”

That doesn't mean an end of Buttercream Dreams, however. Instead, the Thomases will continue to offer their cupcakes via mobile sales, delivery and shipping.

“We sat down and analyzed the business, and most of our orders were coming online,” Kathy Thomas said. “We're putting our energies where the need is.”

Thomas expects social media to play a big role in Buttercream Dreams's new business model.

“We plan to be in certain locations at certain times and will advertise though Twitter and Facebook,” she said.

• Owners: Kathy and Kaitlin Thomas
• Company: Buttercream Dreams
• Phone: (563) 880-4091
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Buttercream-Dreams/204983909612665

Know a company in business for less than a year that should be considered for “The Ground Floor”? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net