Today, we’d like to introduce you to Amelia McMahon.
Hi Amelia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started when I was an 8th grader at Ensign Middle School in Newport Beach. My Home Economics teacher taught us how to make a simple buttermilk donut. I enjoyed it so much that I played around with the recipe and made it my own. When I was 16, I started dating my neighbor, who became my soulmate.
As we were married and started a family, we would often visit Idyllwild and rent a cabin. I had grown up visiting there and had always loved it. My husband soon fell in love with Idyllwild as well. He dreamed of retiring there someday. On our 25th wedding anniversary, we stayed for five days and decided to just go for it and move up to the beautiful mountain village. I was a nurse, and he worked for a local community college. We figured I could get a job anywhere, and he would just commute until he was eligible to retire.
About a year after we moved, I got a job as a school nurse at the local private theater arts school where the students live on campus. I decided to bring them my homemade donuts one day, and everyone said that “they were the best donuts ever.” The students and staff all said that I should open a donut shop.
On December 8, 2019, I decided to place a post on the local social media page and sell my donuts. I received so many orders within an hour, and my small business was on its way.
As 2020 approached and all of its challenges, I thought it would end, but to my surprise, it grew bigger and bigger. I continued to work per diem as a nurse and delivered fresh donuts on my days off to all of the locals. Within a few months, a local business contacted me and asked if I wanted to do a pop-up at their shop on the weekends. My husband started helping me, and people lined up for my donuts. I started advertising off the mountain, and my customer base grew. I could not believe how blessed I was.
My husband decided to join me in my baking and expand the menu. My venture turned into a team effort. A few months later, we rented a local retail location and officially opened Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe. It has been 4 1/2 years now, and we are going strong.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening a Donut Shop Bakery is definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done. Nursing was a piece of cake compared to running my own bakery business. I started my business right before the pandemic, and it was not easy to find a contractor to build my brand-new commercial kitchen.
Luckily, the local health department offered a CFO license, and they worked with me through the entire process. Around 2 1/2 years later, my new commercial kitchen bakery was complete, and our customer base had grown tremendously.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe?
Our bakery is unique because we make everything from scratch, and this requires us to start around midnight. We have a special recipe for every one of our creations. The buttermilk donut is what we are famous for, but people love everything that we make.
My husband’s apple fritter is truly the best ever. One thing that I truly enjoy is baking for my customers who require GF/DF/Keto or VG baked goods. As a retired nurse, I truly understand how important it is to accommodate diverse dietary needs. We recently added sticky buns and cinnamon rolls to our menu, and our customers could not be happier. Our homemade cream cheese frosting is a fan favorite.
The thing that sets us apart from others is that we are the “Gathering Place.” All of the locals love to hang out and enjoy each other, as well as talking to my husband and I. We also have thousands of customers who come to see us every time they visit Idyllwild. Our customers love that we take pre-orders and can make their baked goods the way they want them. This is extremely helpful when deciding how much to make.
After we finished our remodel, we added breakfast and lunch items. Our morning crowd loves coming in and grabbing our fresh grab-n-go burritos and sandwiches. We offer an awesome homemade variety at a very affordable price to accommodate budget-friendly families.
What does success mean to you?
Success is when your customers become your friends.
Success is when people come back over and over because they love talking to my husband and I. Success is when people line up for your baked goods and say that “they are the best ever.” Success is being humbled and blessed.
Pricing:
- Donuts $2-$3
- Specialty Donuts $4-$5
- Pastries $4-$5
- Breakfast Burritos $6-$8
- Cheeseburgers $7
Contact Info:
- Website: ameliasdonutsandmore.com
- Instagram: @ameliasdonutsbakerycafe
- Facebook: Amelia’s Donuts Bakery Cafe
- Yelp: Amelias Donuts Bakery Cafe
