Meet Kristen Allen-McVey | Owner, Baker, Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Allen-McVey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was…I had 4 very young kids. I was in a bad marriage with an alcoholic. We were set to lose our house for the third time bc of it. I had to return to work. However, child care would negate a paycheck for that many kids, and, I wanted to raise my kids…not someone else.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started making custom cakes to stay home and be the mom to my then 4 beautiful babies. I would ask for half of the cost (and charged next to nothing 🤦‍♀️) up front just to be able to buy ingredients. That led to weddings, that led to anniversaries, and kids birthdays, holidays, work parties, etc. I LOVE CAKE! I love to eat cake and watch cake videos. LOVE CAKE! Lol I love Celebrating life and good moments. When we were kids there was so much loss in our life….our brother at age 9 to cancer, our house to a fire….our dad….I believe we should celebrate all the things, big and little. It was a happy place for me to provide the dessert for those celebrations for other people! These went on for years with hand me down cake tools. Eventually, I moved my
Kids and I out of that bad situation and into our own life. I would work third shift as a home health aid, and do cake orders during the day while kids were at school. It was difficult, but I had vision. Vision’s of a store front filled with cupcakes that made people’s eyes roll back when they tasted it. A place to gather over coffee and charcuterie to catch up. In 2021, that happened! After a serious health scare and months of tests to follow, my husband came on board with me and we opened our first Mak’s bakery & cafe! My thoughts of cupcakes and coffee turned into lunch, catering, charcuterie, and a beautiful meeting place for parties of all kinds, and a new clothing boutique! It was beautiful! For 2 years we worked night and day. Weekends, “off days”. Most of our kids had their first job at our shop! We are able to raise our kids, and create a fun place with magnificent coffee and food!
Recently my husband was offered a position that would afford us many new opportunities. When that came to fruition, I knew it was time to close the dream storefront. It had become a life consuming entity. Running the shop, now alone, and raising kids was A LOT! It created burn out and a dislike of what I was doing. One of our kids that we adopted has some special needs so we’re in therapy 3 times a week. I knew I needed to move back home with the business. Without hesitation, we closed the storefront and I moved Mak’s back to its roots…in my home kitchen!
Recently, I’ve been more busy at home than I was at the shop. We still create beautiful wedding cakes, dessert tables, and charcuterie displays of all sizes. And our family is thriving! Is it a lot? Yes. But Mak’s has been a lifeline for our family since its original start 15 years ago! I choose ever so carefully now what orders I take. We’ve come a long way from taking every single, under paid job that came a long! It’s taught me so many things along the way….everything from keep going even when you feel like you can’t, to burn out is real and you MUST take care of yourself or you’ll have nothing to give to anyone else. I’ve learned how to hear rude and selfish criticism and how to let it roll off your back (most of the time), as well as how to accept great reviews about how your dessert brought their elderly dad to tears! I’ve learned how to pivot from what you knew and thought you wanted at the time, to what your life, family, and health needs now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Let’s start at the Monkey Bar & Grille, in Maineville, Ohio! Fun atmosphere on the river, patio with fire pits for cool fall evenings, great drinks, live music, food trucks, family friendly, and a fun place to have a party! 🎉

Then let’s go to Bishops in Loveland! Magical, French Quarter inspired food, and the BEST drinks….my favorite is a cherry vanilla bourbon! Perfect on their roof top seating overlooking historic Loveland!

If we’re here for swanky, Carlo and Johnny’s….a Jeff Ruby take on a speak easy. Smashing great food, beautiful atmosphere, so much history…..really, REALLY GOOD FOOD! My hubby took me there for my birthday this year! Lots of brownie points😘😉

We’re foodies, and thoroughly enjoy a well crafted cocktail and a great welcoming atmosphere!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jesus….and My husband and kids. I came from dysfunction. By rights, my life should have gone down a very dark path. Instead, God led me to the very best partner in my husband, Brian. Together we have 9 kids that give me reason everyday to keep working!

Website: www.tastemaks.com

Instagram: maks_charcuterie_and_sugar

Facebook: Mak’s

Image Credits
Jenna Renee Photography