Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Saskia Van Buuren, owner of Edelweiss Sweets, located in Lafayette, California, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My name is Saskia van Buuren. I run a small online bakery with made-to-order cookies and custom desserts! My customers are anyone who needs a little sweetness in their life. It could be someone craving a batch of freshly baked cookies or someone spreading the love of pastries and ordering for one of their loved ones. My customers are also people who are going through big life changes and need a little something extra. Whether it's a wedding, birthday, baby shower, or retirement - I have been there, cake in hand, to help them celebrate.
Tell us about yourself
I have had a passion for baking ever since I can remember. While most kids were sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons, I was in the kitchen with my mom, baking any chance I got. After graduating high school, I decided to skip college and work on my love of pastries. Culinary school wasn't an option for me due to the high price tag, so I started watching YouTube videos and taught myself. I started making cakes for family friends, and seeing their reactions when I brought them my cakes is what determined that I needed to do this for a living. I've been in a lot of different career paths - veterinary, 911 dispatcher, etc., but none of them made me feel as good as I do when I bake for people, and I get to show them my creations.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly, I think trusting myself and just going after what I wanted is my biggest accomplishment. I have many self-doubts that kept me from starting my business for years. Instead of having a confident outlook on a baking business, I just saw failure in the future. Recently I realized that I gave up before giving myself and my business a chance, so I just took the leap, trusted myself, and did it! The positive feedback and support I have gotten so far make the long hours and hard days worth it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I have never owned a business before, and there are a lot of logistical aspects that are extremely challenging that I have to learn. Coming into this business, I knew how to bake. That was it. Learning how to set up a website, take payments, market myself, ship my goods, permits, etc., has been stressful. There are lots of the little ins and outs in owning your own business, but the beautiful thing is that it is all yours, and you can develop the business however you like!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, have confidence in yourself. You don't need to know everything in order to start. You will learn as you go, and that is all you need! Second, make sure you have a good support system in place. Whether it's an old co-worker, a spouse, a best friend, have someone in your corner who will cheer you on and push you forward when you have tough days. Third, utilize any resources you have available. The internet is full of free information. I turn to it frequently whenever I have questions regarding anything.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I hope that anyone out there who has thought of starting their own business goes for it. It's a risk, of course, but I think it's a bigger risk not to follow your dreams!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://edelweisssweets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edelweiss-Sweets-197006007022887
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edelweiss_sweets/
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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