Gaining respect in a kitchen is a hard feat but gaining respect in the kitchen as a woman is, unfortunately, something even harder to do. At the young age of 18, Karen Kong had become one of Starbucks' youngest key holders and managers. After achieving that position and feeling like she wanted to expand her knowledge, she decided to go back to school and pursue her career in baking. With the conflict of schedule that comes with the early hours of a coffee shop, Karen needed something that will allow her busy body to be in school in the morning and pay for tuition in the evening. With this passion for cooking and baking in her heart, Butterblock's very first step was taken, unbeknownst to Karen of course.