Delicious Treats From My Kitchen to You

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Wong, founder of Ashley Wong Sweets, LLC., located in Fremont, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is making custom-decorated cookies and cakes for special occasions and special moments of celebration. My customers are moms and women looking to celebrate milestones such as birthdays, baby showers, weddings, engagements, and graduations. We help our customers make special, memorable memories with our delicious and beautiful sweets.

Tell us about yourself

I have always loved baking, and it all started with my Nana. When I was a little girl, we would visit my Nana in Southern California. She would always have delicious treats waiting for us on the table displayed on cake stands and platters. From apple turnovers to 7-up cake to cinnamon rolls, I was always excited to see her and her delicious treats. We would spend so much time in the kitchen cooking and talking, and she would show me family recipes and tell me about how my great-grandmother would make these treats. To this day, when I see her, we still end up talking and cooking in the kitchen.

After being in corporate for four years after my son was born, I decided that I needed to quit my job to be with my little ones, who were 2.5 and 8 months at the time. It wasn't until a few months passed that I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own home-based bakery. Ashley Wong Sweets was established July 2, 2018, where I began offering decorated cookies, fresh baked cookies, cakes, pies, and more. I wanted to be home with my kids but still be able to do what I love and show them that you can always go after your dream.

The thing that motivates me each and every day is how special my cakes and cookies are for each celebration. When my clients tell me how much it means to them, or when they surprise someone with a cake, and I get to see the pictures, it makes it worth every moment. These milestones are just that, and all we have left after the moment are memories, and I get to be a part of those. A lot of my clients are repeat customers whose kids birthdays I've done since they were babies, and I get to watch them grow up. I've done weddings, and then I have the pleasure to do their baby shower and watch their family grow. Being a part of all of those means so much to me and makes doing this every day rewarding.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner, I'd have to say, is getting selected to compete on Food Network's Halloween Baking Championship. Casting saw my work on Instagram, and after going through interviews, I was chosen to appear on the show. It was big for me to represent Ashley Wong Sweets on National Television, showcasing my skills and passion while also inspiring young girls and women around the country.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

There are two things that I will say are the hardest about being a business owner. For me, as a mother, it is very hard to find a work-life balance at times. I constantly have mom guilt, but I try to include my kids sometimes like when I'm decorating cookies, I'll make a few extra for them to sit down by me and decorate their own. Another thing I do is let them know when I'm going to be really busy and then plan a day to do something, so they have mommy time.

The other thing I would say is the hardest for those who don't have kids is trial and error. You have to be ok with failing and not look at it as failing, but look at it as a learning experience. Anytime I do something new, I expect to make mistakes, but the takeaway should always be what did you learn. Then you take that and try again. Whether it's doing an event, working on your finances, or working on your business plan. You have to roll with the punches and just keep going.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Have a plan/write down your goals. We can talk about what we want to do, but how are you going to make it happen? You need to write down a plan, then start taking action. Make a goals list and write down dates on when you'd like to achieve that. They don't always have to be big goals but steps to getting to where you'd like to be. It's so important to make your dream a reality.
Have a positive mindset and believe in yourself. This sounds easy, but how many people actually doubt themselves and say they can't make it happen because they don't know how, or they've never done it, or they'll fail? We've all been in a place when we double ourselves, but you have to be confident in running a business. How will you sell your products? Why would someone buy something from you if you sell it with doubt? You have to be proud of what you're doing and sell confidently. Trust in yourself, even when times get hard. You can literally do anything you set your mind to. You just have to figure out how to make it happen. Whether that's taking classes to educate yourself on something you don't know or recognizing when you're getting in a negative space, it all starts with you and believing in yourself.
Know your numbers. I believe it is very crucial to know how much your products cost down to the item. Know how much time it will take you to make your product so you can see if you're making a profit, breaking even, or losing money. Knowing your numbers will help you price your products correctly. I personally use an excel spreadsheet because it works for me, but there are apps you can download that can help you with this.
I have a last additional tip which is to let others help you. When I say this, I mean don't be afraid to hire someone. We entrepreneurs sometimes feel like we have to do it all, but if we want to grow, then we have to get comfortable with giving tasks to others and hiring help. Even if it's just one person, it will make a difference taking some load off.

Before I went out for myself, I worked in the culinary industry for 13 years working in hotels, restaurants, and corporate, where I learned so much about cooking and leading. I graduated culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu when it was in San Francisco in 2010. I worked under Olympic Pastry Mellisa Root, who taught me a strong foundation in pastries. A few years into my business, I worked with a business mentor Deagon Williams. He taught me the business side of running a business. She showed me the importance of knowing the business side and how to grow. At the beginning of the pandemic, I wasn't sure what to do. Luckily, we reconnected just in time for her to show me how to pivot my business and make it thrive during a time of uncertainty. Since then, I have tripled my sales and am continuing to grow my business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ashleywongsweets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.wong.750546
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywongsweets/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-wong-611216162/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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