My name is Teraza Kandah.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio by an eccentric mother and an immigrant father, in a home full of culture, music, and home cooked food. In my family, we always loved sharing knowledge and ideas with each other. So naturally, from a young age, I was obsessed with creating and collecting — vintage ads, packaging, and figures. I have Kool-aid packets from 1940s and cereal boxes from the 80's and 90's. As a kid I spent so much time watching Food Network (Paula Deen, because I also love butter), when I wasn't watching I Love Lucy, The Flintstones, or SpongeBob. I was fascinated not just by food, but by the history of where it came from, the unique ingredients and flavors used in other cultures or by Michelin chefs, and the aesthetic behind brands and marketing.
Long before I knew what a brand was, I was already building one in my mind.
Scarlet Ribbon Bakery is the manifestation of that lifelong obsession: artisan biscotti in unexpected flavors, whimsical visual storytelling, nostalgic beauty, and thoughtfully designed gift packages. But it is also something much deeper.
Like many people, I spent much of my young adulthood feeling anxious, scattered, and misunderstood. I had many interests but no clear direction, and I was often told I was a “jack of all trades, master of none.” Traditional jobs drained me. I had hobbies galore but wasn't fully locked in to any of them. I felt I had so much to offer the world, but nowhere to place it.
Eventually, burnout forced me to pause. Instead of trying to control everything, I turned inward and toward faith. I stopped chasing success and started chasing growth. In that quiet transformation, the idea of a biscotti business emerged — not as a plan, but as a calling.
“This time,” I told myself, “we are making something bright, meaningful, and lasting.”
And that's exactly what I intend to do!
Today, Scarlet Ribbon Bakery is my greatest creative work and my personal proof that purpose often emerges from uncertainty. The silent moments where we break down are the catalysts for our being rebuilt. What began as an emotional turning point has become a living, breathing brand built on artistry, nostalgia, and resilience.
If Scarlet Ribbon Bakery offers you anything beyond delicious biscotti, I hope it is this:
You are not defined by your past or current confusion or chaos.
Your passions and pursuits are never distractions or failures — they are clues to what really makes your life feel meaningful. Build off that!
Transformation is possible, even when you feel lost.
And sometimes, the dream that feels impossible becomes bigger than anything you imagined.
Thank you for being here and supporting my journey.
To every creator and entrepreneur still finding their path: keep going. All the moments leading up to your break through are the story, make it a meaningful one and don't let it pass by while you worry. Failure is just a choice, not your destiny.