Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Ward.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started baking as soon as I could work an Easy Bake Oven. I loved watching my mom and my Nunna prepare food. The aroma that filled the house made my heart and tummy happy. Baking became my favorite past time, from banana bread to peanut butter cookies for my Rottweiler, I always found a reason to turn on the oven. Little did I know, baking would be the therapy to help me cope with my Alopecia.
My hair started thinning when I was 12 years old. My doctor blamed puberty causing a shift in hormones and said my hair would fill in. My mom and I accepted that explanation and with my bald spot shining at the front of my head, I went on my way to finish middle school and high school. I was teased, but I never let it bother me because I knew hair was in my future. At 23 years old, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in TV production. I was still balding. I was tired of waiting, tired of feeling ugly, and tired of accepting this was my journey. A dermatologist gave me a biopsy that confirmed I had Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to reject hair follicles. I was relieved to have an answer but devastated to know my hair would not be growing in like I had believed the last 11 years.
My early to mid-twenties were challenging, as I built my career and my confidence with hair extensions and wigs. I went home every night and baked as a way to take my mind off of my head. I started baking for weddings, and TV shows, even competing on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Baking was my distraction, my escape from my reflection. I started writing my own recipes to be catered to the textures and flavors that I enjoyed. I logged my recipes and photos knowing I wanted to write a recipe book eventually, but not quite knowing how to structure it.
In 2017 I came out publicly by taking my wig off and shaving my head. I embraced the disease that molded the baker in me. I embraced the insecure girl that hated her reflection. I got to know myself for the first time in 31 years. That was not only a breakthrough for myself but my book as well. The ideas and words poured out of me. I was so inspired and knew exactly how to put my first cookbook together. I dedicated it to my Alopecia, without which I may have never discovered the therapy of baking. That is how “What To Bake When: A Baking Handbook for the Basic Bitch” was brought to life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to starting your own business is a lot like the road to self-acceptance. There are many speed bumps and dead ends. Believing in myself was my greatest struggle. Growing up so insecure because of my lack of hair made me insecure in what I had to offer the world. I doubted my baking abilities, my writing style, and my story. Coming out from under my wig and really seeing myself beneath my hair (or lack thereof), gave me a sense of freedom and lifted the insecurity burden I struggled so hard to combat. Once I overcame the self-doubt monster my book came together so naturally. I knew I was on the right path. I believe I have something worth sharing with the world.
Please tell us about Love Sweet Mess.
I own a blog called Love Sweet Mess. I share recipes and stories about my journey with Alopecia. My blog is about loving life through the sweet and messy times, which is what my journey has been about. Every story is unique, but we all have our highs and lows. I self-published “What To Bake When” in May of 2019. I am so proud of this book because the recipes are not only easy to follow, but the stories that go along with them are relatable and fun. This is an edgy cookbook because I wrote it from my 30ish year old woman perspective. It is light-hearted, witty, and highlights the personality I have acquired living with Alopecia. That is what sets this cookbook apart from others. The recipes and stories are inspired by my life, my baking therapy. Every recipe has an occasion to bake for. Meeting his parents for the first time? Banana bread to the rescue. Broke, but want to bake? Peanut butter cookies with only three ingredients that can be purchased at the dollar store. I take all of the guesswork out of what to bake for holidays and parties as well. I make baking therapy not feel like therapy.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I could not have published my cookbook without my amazing friend and photographer, Erin LaBrecque of Erin LaBrecque Photography, Erin shot all the photos in my cookbook. She has actually shot most of my photos for life, like headshots, style photos on my blog, and my “coming out” photos with my shaved head. We shot all the recipes at her home with her beautiful family. She is a real-life superwoman. My book would have no visuals without her.
I am so grateful for my beautiful city Los Angeles because it is filled with inspiration. The food scene is amazing, and the access to parties and productions to bake for really helped me elevate my craft. But it’s the people that I have met that have helped me work through accepting my Alopecia and publishing my book. We have so many resources in this city. I have networked with many people and everyone has a story to tell. We help each other spread our messages. The Alopecia community in Los Angeles is also very strong and supportive. I have never felt so connected to strangers in my life. Los Angeles is one tasty melting pot, with so many stories to tell. I couldn’t imaging publishing “What To Bake When” anywhere else.
Pricing:
- Hardcover Book: $30
- Ebook: $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovesweetmess.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallyjessicarose/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovesweetmess/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovesweetmess
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/What-Bake-When-Jessica-Rose/dp/1732953007/ref=sr_1_3?crid=EJS1P0E3MGPK&keywords=what+to+bake+when+jessica+rose+ward&qid=1563667685&s=gateway&sprefix=what+to+bake+when+%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-3
Image Credit:
Ano Photography for the photos in front of the Love Sweet Mess Step-and-repeat.
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