TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — A local veteran is putting her craft for baking confectionery toward a sweet mission.

What You Need To Know

  • The Baking Soldier opened in February with a sweet mission of establishing a local female veteran association in Tarpon Springs

  • Owner Hayley Johnson was inspired to start the business by her real-life call-to-duty and love for baking
  • The Baking Soldier will be hosting a special ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday with the Chamber of Commerce

The Baking Soldier opened in February with the mission of establishing a female veteran association. The small business is helping give back to the veteran community.

Situated in the back of her store, owner Hayley Johnson is hard at work.

“And then have, like, some grapes coming out of it, you know?”

Doing what she does best — creating confectioneries, from baked goods to chocolates and everything in between.

“These are cake pops that I make from my Italian cookies," says Johnson. "Raspberry, strawberry — this is a fruit medley.”

It’s all happening under the roof of her new business, inspired by her real-life call-to-duty and love for baking.

“I make it all by hand and hand paint everything and put a lot of time and love into my products,” said Johnson.

But the inspiration behind Johnson’s store goes a little deeper than the chocolate.

“I’ve been advocating for better veteran care for about 30 years now," she says. "When I moved to New York, I ended up sitting on the council for the Manhattan VA and my ultimate goal, which is really why I’m doing this business, is designed to give back to the veteran community.”

Johnson served in the Navy. An injury brought her military career to an early end and led her down another path, leading different careers in finance and then real estate, until her passion for baking took over. It gained her attention in New York City, catering for the broadway show ‘Chicago.’ 

“My story went to the White House, it was featured in Glamour magazine in 2015, and when I was in New York, I still could not find the resources to help me," Johnson said. "I even worked with United Nations Human Rights Watch, and still there were no resources for family law for veterans so that is my ultimate goal and why I want to start an association.”

It’s this mission that has brought Johnson to Tarpon Springs. Where, already, she is starting to make ground, partnering with the Pinellas County Veteran Association. But there’s more room to grow.

“I think growth would be where I would like to see me go," says Johnson. "And, obviously, I would like to see my veteran association be up and running within the next year.”

Helping two sets of communities grow one sweet at a time.

The Baking Soldier host a special ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow with the Chamber of Commerce. They are open Wednesday thru Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m.