Georgia Perimeter College geology major Katy O’Connell Nahodyl is experiencing sweet success these days as both student—and budding entrepreneur.

When the outspoken 27-year-old is not studying or spending time with her husband David, she’s busy mixing big batches of batter for cupcakes and cakes and experimenting with icing concoctions, which she then sells by order through O’Bakery by Katy.

And the orders are coming in, many of them challenging. For example, a recent wedding cake order tested Nahodyl’s food preservation skills when the bride requested that fresh peaches garnish the cake.

Then there was the cousin in Alabama who invited Nahodyl not only to be part of her wedding party, but to bake a three-tier, stacked cake as well—all while taking summer classes.

“As soon as I got back from the wedding, I had my mid-term,” the Alpharetta Campus student remembers.

Calling herself an “enthusiastic small-batch baker,” Nahodyl started her cottage business five years ago after eating one too many boxed cakes with “bucket frosting.” There also was the fear that no one beyond her mom and grandmother would carry on the family’s baking legacy.

“And, I’m thinking, you know, my birthday cakes my whole life have been way better than [boxed cakes] … surely I have it in my genetics to bake that well too,” Nahodyl says with characteristic quick wit.

Money earned from O’Bakery by Katy pays for Nahodyl’s college books and baking supplies.

“I do love buying baking gadgets.” she says.

There are no immediate plans for Nahodyl to expand the business beyond her home kitchen, because she wants to focus primarily on school.

 “It’s not easy having a 3.4 in a science major,” she says of her current grade point average.

Nahodyl originally enrolled at Georgia Perimeter in 2005, a year after graduating from Duluth High. She admits failing most of her classes, then trying her hand at a variety of jobs, before deciding to re-enroll two years ago.

This time, married and more mature, Katy quickly recognized what she calls the “Perimeter feel,” which consists of small, affordable classes and high quality instructors.

“It’s really hard to pass that up,” she says.

An aspiring hydrologist, Nahodyl will take a few classes at Georgia Perimeter and Georgia State this fall, before transferring to GSU full time next year.

She thanks dedicated instructors like Rodney Hunter for convincing her she could succeed as a science major.

Hunter recalls a nervous Nahodyl afraid she wasn’t going to pass his algebra class. “It should be noted that ability alone does not lead to success,” Hunter says. “Katy is a successful student because she is motivated and persistent, and these qualities are vital for any successful endeavor.”

Dr. Ken Johnson taught Nahodyl literature and describes her as one of those really engaged students who go beyond what’s expected. “I wish I had classes full of Katy Nahodyls when I teach,” he says.

Johnson, who has been an O’Bakery by Katy customer, also has high praise for Nahodyl’s culinary skill. “She is an excellent baker.”