Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Luxmoore, owner of Sin, located in Providence, RI, USA.

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

We are a custom cake and take-out bakery. Our retail side offers breakfast items (think cinnamon rolls, muffins, breakfast sandwiches), espresso and coffee drinks, as well as cupcakes, take-out cakes, brownies, all with vegan and gluten-free options. Our bar will also be re-opening soon (April 22nd), so you can stop in late and have a cocktail with some delicious desserts. Our custom side makes fantastic cakes for weddings, birthdays, showers, any event you want to celebrate.

Tell us about yourself

I was working in a radio station as a continuity director and copywriter. One of the DJ's was doing a bit on a really big powerball and asked us what we'd do with that kind of money, and my answer was to open a bakery! That led me to look at Johnson and Wales University's continuing ed program. So I went back to school for two years as I continued to work. Twenty years later, here I am with a staff of 15 and having a (mostly) great time!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Surviving the pandemic. All our weddings were canceled or moved that year. But we stayed open (we were the only bakery open) and started making a lot of small cakes and cupcakes. We started delivering these small items for people who wanted to send something to a loved one they couldn't visit. Some small weddings came back, and we just kept moving forward.

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

Not actually being able to do the baking and decorating I love. As a business owner, I deal with more of the business side with orders, marketing, training, etc. Today I replaced the door handle and fixed two drawer slides.

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

  1. Know all the aspects you'll be doing if you open a business. Love to bake cupcakes... make sure you realize that running a business involves a lot more than that.
  2. Know your numbers. Seriously, take a basic business course. Understand what your balance sheet means, know how to calculate your break-even point, figure out what % of your labor costs are going to be.
  3. Read management books about how to work with different personalities, how to train people, how to give up some of your work, and delegate.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Owning a business is great, but it took me a long time to realize that I would be working every day. Some days just a little in the am and then again in the pm, but you work every day. I had to learn how to make sure I had time for myself/family and how to make sure I did the fun things I wanted to do.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.eatwicked.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SinDesserts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sindesserts/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eatwicked
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-luxmoore-86281014/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.