Life’s too short to think about money, so Baker lets cake lovers set the price

Bakery owner Lucy Scott was told she was lucky to be alive earlier this year after experiencing stomach pains, unexplained weight loss and other symptoms of what she thought was a serious gallbladder infection. bile.

After a life-saving surgery, Lucy passed out, but the experience changed her. She wanted to do something more meaningful with her life.

Lucy, from Birmingham, has turned her bakery, Lill’s Parlor, into a “pay what you can” business.

Lucia said.

“I wanted to change my lifestyle and put another goal in front of my life instead of making money.”

Lucy learned about pay-what-you-can economic theory while studying economic history in college.

he said:

“But I tried to do my part. Last summer, I ran the Tropicana Club, which provided free ice cream to local kids.

“The store is also used as a food bank drop off point, and I worked in a community that provided free school meals during the summer holidays.

“Money has never been my motivation. I don’t consider myself a ‘normal’ business person.

Lucy’s family and friends weren’t surprised when she decided to turn her business called Nan into a Community Interest Company (CIC) this June.

“My friends and family are very proud of me,” says Lucy. “I’ve always had strong beliefs, so I don’t think they were surprised.

Lucy suggests a “suggested donation” for each item, but you are never pressured into paying.

“Payments are made anonymously through the app. If you’d like to pay in cash, please bring change so we can display your donation.

“They can request changes if they want, but there is no way to do it.

“And I have received lovely little donations through our website, often adding £1 to the bill for those who can afford it.

“People who have nothing to contribute are very rare.” People want some kind of trade, even if it’s just copper.

Birmingham native Joe Lycett also made a large donation to Lil’s by wearing the store’s t-shirt on television.

“Every time someone pays for it, we try to keep providing income to what I call the ‘Winter Survival Fund’ for as long as possible,” says Lucy.

Heading into winter, when the cost of living is at stake, Lucy predicts more people will come to Lil’s Parlour, but she’s taking care of herself and others.

he says. At first, when they decided to pay as much as they could, the bakery ran like any normal business, but the cost of living crisis makes it harder to turn a profit.

“It is a pretty worrying time, but we have seen an increase in small donations through our website, which is incredible and goes directly to the purchase of materials.

“As long as people know I’m here and we provide unbiased service, we can get each other through the winter.”

Lil’s Parlor recently went viral on TikTok when Lucy shared a heartwarming story.

He said:

Their eyes lit up when I said that they could pay as much as they wanted. They said it was a friend’s birthday and they were looking for money to buy a meal.

Once they put what they found in a donation jar, they said they would make ice cream for everyone. They are very grateful and some have already returned.

“I think it’s very important to judge young people. The best part of what I do is make a small, happy difference in people’s lives.”

“All the hard work and honestly the exhausting part of running a company like this is worth it, because we know we can change someone’s day.

“Getting out of bed on a bad day is so much better knowing you’re helping someone.”

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