Self-taught baker, mother and entrepreneur Hayley Batterham has a full schedule now that her home-based brownie business has taken off.

The Goonellabah resident has just left her full-time job in administration to keep up with the demand for her homemade brownies which she also delivers directly to customers.

“I was working in admin but I was up til 1 am baking and then up again at 6 preparing orders and I thought, the brownies are taking off. I didn’t expect it to take off like it has. I didn’t have any expectations, I was just giving it a go,” Hayley explained.

With three young kids at home, Hayley has her husband helping out with deliveries whilst working his full-time job.

“I do the baking and delivering. If my husband is on his way to work and the address works out then he helps out too...I’m probably doing about 10 orders a week on average. It’s pretty consistent,” Hayley said.

Hayley’s business, known as Box of Brownies, started last year as a sideline when she recognised an opportunity.

“I started baking brownies as I saw in this area there was no one specialising in brownies. I’m self-taught but I did work in cafes when I was younger. It’s just me...I bake my little heart out,” Hayley mused.

Presently, the ordering is done via social media but Hayley has plans to streamline the process as the business expands.

“I like the personal messaging system, I can get to know my customers and it’s a bit more community-related,” Hayley said.

With 14 tempting options on the brownie menu, Hayley is open to suggestions and always trying new ideas to enhance and expand the range.

“My husband loves to be a taste tester. I had a special request for a peppermint one recently so I had a go at that to get some feedback. The oreo and the M&M ones sell pretty well. I just released a kinder Bueno one which is also going well. I try to bring out different flavours for different events. Mother’s Day, for example, I had a pink range,” Hayley explained.

What’s next for Box of Brownies?

“I guess the next step would be to hopefully get into some markets, some local cafes or some football club events, my son plays footy so perhaps that’s an option,” Hayley pondered.

The joy of the brownie is not only the taste but the personal service Hayley is able to offer.

“I found a lot of people are buying them as gifts if they’re stuck on what to get. I do personalised notes. A lot of people were buying them for friends or family who were in lockdown. There was a lady in South Lismore who bought a 10-pack for her husband who was fixing up their house after the flood…It’s a personal thing because I bake and deliver and can do personal messages,” Hayley added.

If you know someone who needs a homemade brownie boost to their day, you can visit Hayley’s menu here.