Hi! I'm Ellie, the baker and owner of Second Act Sweets.
I believe life is better with a cookie. I started Second Act Sweets in 2020—when the world definitely needed more cookies—because I love sharing baked goods with others and I don't think you need a special occasion to enjoy a tasty treat.
Previously (the “first act,” if you will), I worked as an editor/writer for five years. In 2019, my husband, Riki, and I quit our jobs and spent nine months tasting and ranking sweet treats in 22 countries on four continents. It was tough but necessary work. Upon our return, I decided I was more interested in cookies than editing, so I enrolled in the Baking and Pastry Arts program at Ivy Tech. I earned my technical certificate in May 2021 and began selling cookies, muffins, scones, and more at my first farmers market in Fishers, Indiana, that same month. My favorite part of being a market vendor (other than the food) is meeting my neighbors and making connections within the community.
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When I'm not baking, I am most likely smothering my cat, Rafiki, with hugs and kisses; planning our next trip; creating cross stitch patterns; or watching true crime documentaries with my husband.
We traveled to Thailand in 2017. That trip was the best for three reasons:
1. Riki proposed under thousands of floating lights at the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. 2. We got up close and personal with my favorite animal at Elephant Nature Park. 3. We found Ben's Cookies in Bangkok (a favorite from my time studying abroad in London).