Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amanda Wright, founder of Sweet & Simple Co., located in Hamilton, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Sweet & Simple Co. is a handmade confections company based out of Hamilton, Ontario. We focus on recreating your favourite nostalgic treats, without all of the preservatives and artificial flavourings found in traditional candies. We work hard to source as many local and natural ingredients as possible, so you can feel good about indulging your sweet tooth. Over the years, we've expanded our offerings to include handmade chocolates, baked goods & many other treats!
Tell us about yourself
I've had a sweet tooth for as long as I can remember, and grew up dreaming of one day owning a bakery so I could bake for all my neighbours. In 2014, a friend gifted me a confections cookbook, and I immediately fell in love with candy making and have never looked back. I love science and love sweets, and confections are the perfect combination of both.
After seven years, it still feels surreal that I get to help people celebrate different holidays and events in life with sweets. Watching people enjoy my products brings me the greatest joy!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This is a tough question for me to answer! While I feel like there have been several milestones along the way, I'd have to say my biggest accomplishment while owning Sweet & Simple Co. has been completing my training at George Brown & becoming a Professional Chocolatier. This has allowed me to expand my offerings immensely, and develop new skills, which has helped with the growth of my business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Imposter Syndrome is real, and I think it is a struggle for many small business owners, including myself. The hardest thing for me has been finding a balance between the overwhelmingly busy seasons and the seasons of downtime. Owning a confections company means a lot of my business revolves around holidays and wedding season, leaving for a few quiet months throughout the year. Learning to lean into those seasons of rest is a challenge, but I think I'm getting better at it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- One step at a time. There is never going to be a perfect time to start a business. There will always be one more thing in your way or one more box you need to check before you feel fully prepared. Just get started, break it down into small action items, and you'll be surprised at how quickly things progress.
- Hire an accountant. Depending on the scale of your business, you'll be left at the end of the year with boxes of receipts to enter and not know where to start. Hiring someone to do your bookkeeping may seem like an added and unnecessary expense, but I promise it's worth it.
- Have fun! Focus on doing things that bring you joy, and allow you to grow as a business and an individual. While it's not always roses & sunshine, finding a niche that you can work in that brings you joy while creating will make those less appealing aspects of business that much easier to deal with.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Yes! I am so thrilled to let you know I am teaming up with a partner to open a Bakery & Plant Shop named Pinch in Hamilton, Ontario. We're set to open in the late summer/early fall of 2022!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sweetandsimpleco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetandsimpleco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetandsimpleco/
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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