Danielle Walters has always wanted to own a bakery. Only recently did she begin the transition away from teaching, her career of the last 10 years, to take steps towards realizing the dream. Ultimately, a plan she thought would take years, maybe even decades, took months.

Now Walters, still in slight disbelief, can be found living out a dream she had since the first grade: working at her own bakery truck adjacent to Breckenridge Distillery. While mostly a one-woman show, her husband can be found working remotely next to the truck, bobbing in and out as needed. She makes and sells Belgian waffles, baked goods and coffee.

Months before Danielle’s Delights opened, she created a tentative plan to open up her own place, informed by conversations with industry professionals. From the input she gathered, Walters figured she could get her own place up and running in just over a year and set her sites on opening in summer 2024. It wouldn’t take long for an opportunity to come knocking, which shortened the one-year plan to a few months.

Walters’ plans were fast tracked when Michelle Mahoney, a local business owner, reached out with an offer to buy the truck she previously operated her business out of.

“I called her and asked her when we could meet and she said ‘right now’ so I drove over and the truck had almost everything I needed, including licensing,” Walters said. “It was exactly what I was looking for.”

The next day Walter bought the truck. A few days after that, her father flew in from New Jersey and began renovating it. Her dad did some simple renovations, which provided Walter with the basics needed to operate a bakery and coffee shop on wheels. 

Her dad will be back in early September to wrap up work on the trailer, but Walters decided not wait for the renovations to be completed and got her business started right away.

In addition to having a master’s degree in education, Walter holds a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship. She credits that foundational knowledge with helping exponentially in the process of running her own business. Still, she didn’t think she would get to use her entrepreneurial knowledge until retirement. 

“I really did love school and teaching, I never thought this would happen this soon, it was just a dream, something that maybe I could do after I retired,” Walters said

Danielle’s Bakery is slated to have its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept, 17. She hired her favorite local artist, an acoustic guitarist named Diego who also played her wedding, for live entertainment and there will be giveaways, games and free food. The event will be held at the bakery’s location at 1925 Airport Road in Breckenridge. 

Danielle’s Bakery sells cold brew, cafe au lait and iced coffee, which cost $3 to $3.50. A variety of espresso is also available, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $5. Teas and other drinks cost $4.

For her daily food offerings, Belgian waffles with myriad sweet and savory toppings and flavors go for $6, and pancake puffs cost $1 a piece, with up to seven in an order. Her fresh baked goods will change daily. 

Fresh-baked goods can also be ordered 24 hours ahead. Cookies go for $3 each or $25 for a dozen. Mini donuts cost $1 each and $10 per dozen. Scones are available for $4 a piece, $20 for a half dozen, or $35 per dozen. Gluten-free options are available, with prices ranging from $3 to $4. Dog treats — made with banana, peanut butter, and oats — cost $1 each or $10 per dozen.