In a heartwarming display of community trust, Milford resident Emily Nixon has built a successful scone business, Simply Scones, operating entirely on the honor system. From a small unmanned box outside her home, Nixon offers a delightful array of homemade scones, with customers paying for their chosen treats using cash or other methods, a system that has, remarkably, seen near-perfect adherence.
Key Takeaways
- Emily Nixon’s Simply Scones business in Milford operates on an honor system for payments.
- Despite selling approximately 4,700 scones, Nixon reports minimal issues with non-payment or theft.
- The business offers 51 flavors of scones in miniature or full sizes, with options for pre-ordering and subscriptions.
- Nixon operates under Connecticut’s Cottage Food Operator laws, limiting annual sales to $50,000.
The Honor System’s Sweet Success
Emily Nixon, a widowed mother of two, established Simply Scones from her home kitchen, relying on the integrity of her customers. Since the fall, she estimates that nearly all of the 4,700 scones taken from her unmanned sales box have been paid for. While occasional mix-ups have occurred, Nixon attributes them to human error rather than malice. She acknowledges the inherent risk but chooses to believe in the best of people.
One notable incident involved a customer who accidentally paid for scones intended for another business with the same name in London, highlighting potential confusion with technology and payment methods. Another instance involved a customer inadvertently taking a pre-ordered scone, which was upsetting as it left the intended recipient without their chosen flavors.
A Tradition of Baking and Trust
Nixon’s passion for baking stems from her childhood, where she and her sister would bake together. What started as a way to sell excess baked goods when orders were slow has blossomed into a thriving cottage business. She offers an impressive 51 flavors of scones, available in miniature or full sizes, and also provides subscription services and gift cards.
Customers like Matthew Rice, a Milford resident, praise Nixon’s business model as a testament to her passion and the community’s trustworthiness. Rice, who regularly brings boxes of scones to his office, believes the honor system fosters accountability and a sense of community bonding. He holds the record for the largest single order, purchasing 75 scones.
Navigating Cottage Food Laws and Future Aspirations
Simply Scones operates within the framework of Connecticut’s Cottage Food Operator laws, which restrict sales directly to consumers and cap annual earnings at $50,000. Nixon projects sales of close to 25,000 scones for the upcoming year, all baked in her home oven. While she enjoys the success and the moniker "scones lady" at her children’s schools, she has no immediate plans to transition the business into a full-time commercial venture. However, she is open to expanding into farmers’ markets and similar venues if the business continues to grow.
Sources
- Milford business sells homemade scones by the honor system, Milford Mirror.