Aces of Trades: Kari Garcia went from education to cakes -- and is loving it
CHILLICOTHE – She’s doing something she never anticipated – and loving it.
“I enjoyed,” recalled Kari Garcia, “playing with friends, reading books and spending time with my sister Jill and my sister Patty who I matched with when I was 8 years old through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She was a big part of my life growing up and always encouraged me along the way.”
“My dream job,” she added, “was to be a preschool teacher. I never dreamed I would be managing a bakery and boba tea shops.”
Today, Garcia is the regional manager for High Five Cakes and both Rainbow Boba shops. She’s also one of the bakers at High Five cakes.
“Honestly, I never really had an interest in cakes,” she said. “I would bake at home for my family but that was really it. But looking back, I’m very pleased with my life’s path.”
Garcia grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and graduated from high school there in 1997.
“I went to Minnesota State University Moorhead,” she said, “and was studying early childhood education until I moved to Chillicothe. I then went to Ohio University Chillicothe and graduated with an associate degree in child development in 2010.”
“Before High Five Cakes I was working full-time at Kohl’s running the online department,” she continued. “I was also subbing and trying to get back into the education field as a teacher's aide.”
“I started at High Five Cakes in August of 2020,” she added, “when they were looking for someone to clean the shop a few days a week. I was looking for a part-time job and it was a great fit. By November of 2020, I was a full-time employee and have loved the job every step of the way.”
Shauna Shanks is the owner of High Five Cakes and Rainbow Boba shops.
“Kari manages the businesses for me and I, being the owner, jokingly call her my boss,” said Shanks. “Kari is so organized and talented I can basically show up and she tells me where I need to be and what I need to do. She’s made herself invaluable at the bakery, and I would say most of our patrons would agree. We have a lot of customers who come in specifically to see her. She remembers what drinks they like, and which treats are their favorites. I’ve never in my life seen anyone handle customer service as well as Kari. She runs a tight ship, and her heart is pure gold. She really is the best.”
“I do what I do because I love my job, the people I work with, and our customers,” responded Garcia.“It’s absolutely something I do from the heart.”
High Five Cakes is located at 81 N Paint St. in Chillicothe. For more information, log on www.highfivecakes.com.
About the Series
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at gaznews@nncogannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Aces of Trades: Kari Garcia went from education to cakes
