Tiana and Wyatt open up Awaken Bakery for the day and set up outdoor seating for customers to use. “Our name embodies the idea of awakening hearts to the love of Christ,” Tiana said. “We hope it resonates with the way we operate as a business and a community.”
“I did my own research and realized that all of my symptoms pointed to celiac disease,” Tiana said. "When I requested the test and learned I was positive, it was a huge relief to finally have answers after such a long period of uncertainty.”
Although she had her answers, it took Tiana almost two years for her to fully heal. She realized how food could harm her body in many different ways. Because of this diagnosis, she had to change her diet and turn to gluten free options.
"Back then, gluten-free options weren’t as readily available, so I had to relearn how to cook and bake,” Tiana said.
Daughter of Tiana and Rich, Layla Post scoops cinnamon buttercream onto snickerdoodle cookies to create Awaken Bakery’s “Snickerdoodle Cookie Sammies”. Layla and her brother Wyatt work alongside their mom in the shop. “I normally work at the counter and take people’s orders,” Layla said. “I enjoy meeting new people.”
Rich (middle) and Tiana Post (right) wash dishes as they prepare to open the shop for the day. Tiana, Wyatt and Layla arrive at the shop at 6:15 a.m. while their bakers arrive at 6:30 a.m. As the bakery has grown, Tiana realized she needed more helped and hired Caleb Ford-Conway (left) as a full time baker. Ford-Conway is in charge of making the breads, biscuits and breakfast foods. “Fridays are usually really busy,” Tiana said. “But Saturdays are the busiest for breakfast.”
The bakery is a family owned and operated business with its brick and mortar building located in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. Tiana runs it alongside her husband, Rich, and their two kids, Wyatt and Layla.
On September 1, 2022, the bakery officially opened its doors. Fast forward two years to November of 2024 and Tiana extended Awaken Bakery’s services by buying a food truck.
Customers line up at Awaken Bakery’s bright pink food truck to place their order at the window. “When we first started I thought we’d go bankrupt,” Rich said. “I didn’t realize how many people had these food allergies and it’s been amazing to see how well it has done.”
Rich Post takes Emily Crawley (left) and Alesia Crowley’s order at Awaken Bakery’s Food Truck Event at Tractor Supply Co. in Franklin, Ky. “The bakery actually popped up as a suggestion for me,” Alesia said. “We drove all the way from Springfield, Tennessee to try this place out.” Awaken Bakery is a 100% gluten-free business that was started by Tiana Post, Rich’s wife.
All baked good and sweet treats are made from Tiana’s custom gluten-free flour blend that she developed through years of trial, error and dedication.
Awaken Bakery was created not just to serve gluten-free food, but to make a difference through Jesus Christ. Their faith is important to them and are even in the process of fully launching their own non-profit, “Awaken Ministries”. “Its mission is to end child trafficking in Kentucky by creating pathways for high-risk and exploited youth,” Tiana said. “This ministry is deeply aligned with our personal beliefs and the values of our bakery, as it’s about pouring love into others and showing them they are worthy of that love.”
Every other Sunday, the Post family attends church at New Life Church on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green, Ky. They live in Franklin, Ky., but make the drive up to worship and listen to the sermon. Awaken Bakery is closed on Sundays and Mondays, as they want to keep Sundays a rest day for the Sabbath. “Balancing work and family can be challenging, especially when they overlap so much,” Tiana said. “We try to carve out some personal time by having dinner together, enjoying church time, and spending Sunday afternoons with family.“
“People come to us not just for food but for support, prayer, and comfort, and it’s one of the biggest blessings we receive,” Tiana said.
At Awaken Bakery, Tiana offers a wide variety of food for customers to choose from. "We offer a full lineup of gluten-free treats such as cupcakes, cookies, bread, sandwiches, coffee drinks, and more," Tiana said. "Our kitchen is 100% gluten-free, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination, and keeping your loved ones safe."
“It’s beautiful to watch them grow through this,” Tiana said. “They’re learning responsibility and how to serve others with love.”
Layla restocks one of the fridges with cupcakes for the next day during closing time at the shop. “It’s hard to choose,” Layla said. “But my favorite cupcake that we have are the Nutter butter ones.”
- Tiana, Owner of Awaken Bakery
Wyatt works on his homework during slow periods throughout the day. Wyatt and Layla are homeschooled, and even though they do some work at home, they mainly work on it at the shop during slow times throughout the day. “Running a family business has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” Tiana said. “We still homeschool our children, and you’ll often find them working on their laptops at a table in the bakery. The ability to do life together, without missing any precious moments, is something we cherish deeply”
“I hope when people walk in, they feel joy, comfort, and healing,” Tiana said. “We want this place to be a light in the community—a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved.”
Linsey Simpson (left) and Tiana Post exchange words while Linsey pays for her baked goods at the shop. Simpson is a regular at Awaken Bakery and enjoys the variety of options offered to gluten free people like her. “When people walk into Awaken Bakery, I hope they feel peace, comfort, joy, and love,” Tiana said. “We want everyone who enters our doors to feel like they’re part of our family and that they’re being served with genuine care.”
Tiana Post holds up her homemade gluten free bread in the shop. “Though I’ve always loved baking and dreamed of having a little shop one day, this journey really evolved in ways we couldn’t have predicted.”
Layla, Tiana and Wyatt sell cupcakes at Mill House Coffee in Franklin, Ky. It was their first pop up event they sold their stuff at. “The name “Awaken Bakery” was a gift from God,” Tiana said. “Originally, we operated under the name “Whisked Cupcakery” at the farmers market, as we only sold cupcakes at that time. When we felt called to open a storefront, “Awaken” came to mind.” (Photo provided by Tiana Post)
