Today we’d like to introduce you to Miya Walker.
Hi Miya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Miya Walker, I am a senior at UMD majoring in Government and Politics. I have always had a passion for baking chocolate chip cookies and decided to try out new flavors last summer. After bringing batches to family events and my dance studio, multiple people encouraged me to make a business out of my passion. After toying with the idea, I researched food science and developed my signature brown butter chocolate chip cookie recipe. And after weeks of preparation, my business, Blush & Batter, was born in August 2025. My dance studio, Maryland Dance Project, has always been a huge support in my business. After I brought samples for the staff, the owners, Jess and Emily, asked if I wanted to sell my cookies in the studio. Since then, I’ve had a little cookie stand called The Blush Barre, which I restock with individually wrapped and labeled cookies. These cookies sell out almost immediately as we have so many dancers, both adults and children, coming in and out of the studio for class. I also do cookie drops in which I offer pickup locally and at the dance studio. The majority of my sales come from dancers at MDDP.
As a college student, owning my own business allows me to choose my own hours and choose when I want to hustle. At this point, I am transitioning back into the semester so I am also adjusting to when I can bake and sell cookies again. I change up flavors seasonally, and last fall, the flavor change was very popular, and I am excited to explore what else I can do. Christmas flavors are also very popular especially because of gifting time. I also offer bulk orders on request for events, parties, holidays, etc.
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?
Other than the logistical struggles most businesses face, the only other struggle I have endured is time management. As I mentioned, I am in college and I am also a dancer. It is hard to balance multiple commitments while trying to keep the consistency and momentum going in my business. It is especially hard because I only have myself to hold accountable, but it also makes it less pressuring in a sense.
We’ve been impressed with Blush & Batter, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Blush & Batter started from a love of baking and a dream of sharing that joy with others. I specialize in small-batch gourmet cookies, specially curated for each drop. I’ve put a lot of time, money, and effort into researching and developing my signature base recipe, which resulted in a cookie everyone immediately loves. My best-selling cookies are The Classic Cutie, a classic brown-butter chocolate chunk cookie, topped with flaky sea salt, and S’more Amour, a brown-butter chocolate chip cookie with a graham cracker base, stuffed with a toasted marshmallow and a Hershey’s bar. Along with the two best-sellers, I also do different flavors each drop, and even seasonal flavors. For example, in the fall, I additionally offer Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip, Maple Snickerdoodle, and Brown Butter Pecan.
What sets Blush & Batter apart is the heart and intention behind every small batch I bake. Each cookie is thoughtfully crafted, from the flavors to the packaging, because I believe the presentation of my brand should be just as special as the cookie itself. Whether it’s a custom order, a gift for someone special, or a treat for yourself, I want every customer to feel like they’re receiving something made with love. I design and print out each label, facilitating all packaging tasks as well. Being in every position that makes my business successful allows me to stay authentically connected with my brand and keeps it personal to me.
I want readers to know that Blush & Batter is more than just another small cookie business. I offer a variety of handcrafted flavor combinations and other desserts like brownies and brookies. I am very passionate about baking delicious cookies and bringing warmth to people’s hearts through them.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I always had an outgoing, extroverted personality that still shows strongly today. I’ve been dancing since I was 2 or 3, and I dance even more now than I did growing up. Dance has been my passion and was my first love in life. I’ve been performing multiple times a year in front of a crowd, which has helped me maintain a high level of self-confidence. My first taste of owning a small business was during the slime trend in the early 2010’s. At 11 years old, I sold a good amount of slime at my middle school before it got banned. Slime at my school was in high demand; only certain people had the materials and resources to fund that market at that age. Around that age, I also started helping out with smaller tasks at my mother’s office. I will never forget how her boss said that I would be a good entrepreneur because of my work ethic. That sentiment stuck with me forever and is a good reminder on days when I struggle managing my business all on my own.
Apart from my outside personality, I was an anxious child with an undiagnosed anxiety disorder until I was 13 and struggled in school because of it. I had to develop a stronger work ethic throughout those mental health struggles and was finally able to do so by my senior year of high school. I’ve always had big dreams that changed throughout the years, as most children do, but I finally settled on law and politics in high school. I still make time for my childhood passions such as dancing and baking because I believe that is the key to preventing burnout. I am so grateful to still be blessed with the opportunity to continue doing both of those things while studying towards my career goals. Without going through those struggles and developing resilience, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Pricing:
- Individual cookies: $4.50-$5.00
- Two Cute Bites (2) : $8.00
- Sweet Quartet(4) : $15.00
- Blush Box (6): $20.00
- Bloom Batch (12): $30.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hotplate.com/blushandbatter
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blushandbatterbakeryy
