Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Bucceri, owner of JB Couture Cupcakes, located in Neptune City, NJ, USA.

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

I am the owner, creator, and head baker for JB Couture Cupcakes in Neptune City, NJ. I have customers all over the tri-state area. I specialize in event cakes, gourmet cupcakes, dessert bars, favors, and specialty treats. I create treats for all occasions and for customers looking for unique, gorgeous, and delicious desserts that become the centerpiece of their event.

Tell us about yourself

I opened up my first shop when I was just 18 years old. After graduating high school, I was planning on attending Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island for pastry arts. Those dreams went out the window when after the sudden death of my grandmother, I developed severe anxiety and agoraphobia. I spent a year in the house recovering and learning to live my life with this diagnosis. I spent my time baking, watching tutorials, teaching myself how to work with fondant, and building my dreams of being a business owner. I started making event cakes for friends and family, and before I knew it, I had a full list of loyal customers and followers who watched and supported me as I built my dreams.

Eleven years later and I still struggle often, but baking has become my medicine and my motivation to bring joy to those around me. It motivates me to share my story so that others who are struggling will know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Although your life doesn’t always go the way you expect, I believe everything happens for a reason, and you will always end up right where you belong. I work every day to better my skills and push myself. I want to make my grandmother proud.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment so far was competing in Cake Wars on Food Network. I was only 21 at the time, and my skill level wasn’t where I wished it was back then, but I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity and the incredible experience I had.

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

I would say the most difficult thing about being a business owner is that it is a 24/7 job. You don’t get to clock in and out and be done with work when you leave the shop. There is always something to do, someone to get back to, or things to be prepared for. You are responsible for everything that goes right and everything that goes wrong.

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

  1. You’re never done learning. No matter how many years you have been in business, you should never stop wanting to learn new things, to better yourself and your business. Every day is an opportunity to try something new.
  2. Learn to say no to things that don’t suit you. As hard as it is, I’ve learned to say no to orders that don’t suit me. If it’s out of my comfort zone or going to cause me stress, it isn’t worth it.
  3. Pick a few things to be great at, not a million things to just be ok at. What I mean by that is that you can try to do it all, but it will get overwhelming, and not everything will be perfect. Pick what you’re best at and put your time and energy into that, give fewer options but make them flawless. I had a retail shop. I had walk-in traffic, birthday parties, classes, custom orders, and more. I found myself in the shop until all hours of the night, working on my custom orders, trying to keep everything fresh, staffing, and trying to keep up with everything. I decided to focus on my custom orders, where I found the most joy. I closed that shop and opened a smaller shop where I only make custom orders and have tastings and meetings by appointment. The change has been so beneficial to my life and the quality of my business. It’s not always about quantity. It’s about quality.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.jbcouturecupcakes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbcouturecakes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbcouturecupcakes/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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