Meet Ellory Gilliland King | Owner and Operator of The Mellow Baker LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellory Gilliland King and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellory, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking has been a large part of my success over time; a conglomeration of bold decisions propelled me to be a full time business owner of The Mellow Baker LLC at just 24 years old. I think about risks in a very positive way, risks are actually opportunities hidden behind anxiety. I approach risks with optimism and confidence, if I take the wrong risk, I know a new risk will present itself later, probably an even better one. Let me tell you a little bit about how I got here. I grew up in rural, Eastern Washington, and experienced a small town, community-oriented upbringing. My rural background ingrained a sense of hospitality, collaboration and altruism – in a small town the effects of your efforts are easily visible – I have carried this mentality with me, and crave a meaningful, impactful environment wherever I go. The first risk that shaped my career happened at 18, when I moved to the opposite end of the country and found myself studying philosophy in Sarasota, Florida. I have had a knack for philosophy my entire life, and planned to follow an academic career path. Like many young adults, the career I had aspired to quickly left me jaded and looking for a way out. So, I chose to take an even bigger risk, accepting with a broken heart, that I had selected the wrong career. I moved across the country yet again, to La Costa, CA with less than $900 to my name, no car, and most of my belongings left behind. I dove deep into the restaurant industry, working my way up from prep cook, to general manager. I experienced the good, bad and ugly, and after a few years in management; I was ready to get out of the race, but I had found my true passion, baking. Baking has always been a huge part of my life, and one of my favorite activities to do with my family, but it didn’t become a clear career path until a major car accident in 2021. I now think of this accident as one of the biggest blessings in my life, for it led to the most important risk I have taken, opening my business The Mellow Baker LLC! My accident gave me the clarity that I needed to work for myself, the confidence that I had the experience under my belt to succeed, and most importantly, the ability to create the work environment I desired, one the puts people first in every sense. I have constantly taken risks, big ones! I am always prepared to fail, but deeply believe in myself, and always know I will succeed if I keep going.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I recently founded The Mellow Baker LLC, a microbakery focused on custom desserts like wedding cakes, birthday cakes, pies and cookies. I have a passion for unusual flavors and novelty pastries, I enjoy making desserts no one has ever tried before! Some of my specialties include: Thai iced tea sponge cake, old fashioned cocktail cake, and blueberry pancake cupcakes. But I don’t just make delicious treats, I also have a passion for the community. I am most proud to share that 3% of my business profits are donated to local charities, something that will become increasingly beneficial to the community as my business continues to grow. My business has also been developing a grant program which will be available to local, low-income individuals or families who need financial assistance and additional resources starting their own small business. I like to be honest about struggles, I am a real person and transparency helps others understand they are never alone. I have faced financial challenges, mental and physical health challenges, and overall have had a very difficult path bring me to this place today. At certain points in my career, I did not want to keep going – I didn’t even think it was possible to keep going. I often took three steps back before I could take one step toward overcoming a hurdle. The Mellow Baker’s four philosophical approaches to overcome challenges through intention, acceptance, optimism and dessert. 1. Intention. Everything changes over time, your challenges can be defeated. But, not without a vision for yourself. Set intentions for your business and do not lose sight of them.
2. Acceptance. Sit in the difficulty, you can’t go anywhere, you must ride it out. Escape overcomes nothing, but patience is rewarded.
3. Optimism: Much like placebo, a fierce, unshakeable belief in your business changes the course of your opportunities.
4. Dessert. Sweets are the result of my labor, I have to remind myself to indulge sometimes, stop and taste the chocolate, eat that perfect bite. What are the results of your labor? Make sure you are savoring your craft and continually taking a moment to enjoy the pleasure it brings you.
My background has led me to have a philosophical approach to business, and baking. My experience has taught me that many, many people can be business owners, but many people do not have true intentions for their business. If you set intentions every day, you have an advantage. If your intentions are impactful to the community, you will feel more rewarded each day. I have learned that making a difference in people’s lives rewards more than making the biggest profit, and that is absolutely the most important thing about The Mellow Baker LLC.

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.
When my sister and her fiancé visited last year, we made sure to visit the Balboa Park. Balboa park is one of the most special places to me here, it is such an amazing public space and a great place for the community to gather. I love the art museum. My favorite coffee shop is Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, after my sister tried it she loved it as well, now I often send the coffee as a gift. The Donut Shop in Leucadia is a special place to me, I would often get a donut there after working overnight restaurant shifts. Beach Plum and Snooze are two favorite brunch restaurants.
We are all fast-foodies, they visited from the Midwest, so we made sure to grab In-n-Out, and try many, many authentic Mexican restaurants together, I have too many favorites to pick one.
We made sure to visit the Maker’s Market and a few local farmers markets. Of course we had to see Swami’s beach, my favorite for its cliffs and partially shaded areas.
I love to hike the Way Up Trail in the Elfin Forest, and visit Lake Hodges. And of course you can’t miss taking a hike or drive at Torrey Pines!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad is always the first person that comes to mind when recognition is due – I would never have become a baker without him. Many favorite childhood memories revolve around baking with my dad, or even helping him do the dishes on a step stool. My dad made nearly every meal and dessert we ate from scratch, something special and increasingly rare in the U.S. – I cherish his dedication to food – and to us. He knew just how much love can be felt in an amazing bite of food, a feeling I will never stop recreating and sharing with others. My passion, comes from his passion, and my confidence begins with his unwavering belief in me.

Website: www.themellowbaker.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellow.baker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075327554650

Yelp: https://yelp.to/Q90CF1yNPqb

Image Credits
Photos taken by Ellory Gilliland King