Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brittany Roy, owner of Sweet Stuffed LLC., located in Little Rock, AR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Sweet Stuffed LLC, where I specialize in cheesecake and everything cheesecake. We also provide other delicious sweets such as cookies, brownies, and ice cream. Our Desserts are homemade, so when you bite into a cookie or cheesecake slice, you will feel like you're 12 again sitting at your grandmother's kitchen table enjoying a special snack she prepared. Our flavorful desserts take you to your favorite memories growing up. Even our ice cream is homemade. Our customers are usually those who are looking to surprise a co-worker, family, spouse, or friend with something mouth-watering to gift. We indeed cater to special events, including business events as well.
Tell us about yourself
I am a self-taught Baker starting from my high school years. It's so funny because growing up; I always wanted to be a psychologist and flight attendant; even in high school, that was the plan. Never did I imagine becoming a baker, let alone a business owner. The passion drew from coming up with new food ideas as a teenager, and it kept growing as a young adult. In 2015, I was sitting in one of my pharmacy technician classes. I would daydream of baking and starting my own business.
My original name was going to be Spoon in a Jar, lol. My concept was to make every dessert and stuff it in a mason jar. It was starting to become a trend at that time, and I wanted to hop on the bandwagon. I would bring samples to class to let my classmates and instructor taste, and they loved it. So I started my business as a side hobby. I baked fondant cakes, two-tier cakes, cupcakes, birthday cakes, sweets in a jar, pies, and more for family and others. I thought to myself that I could definitely get used to this, but I didn't like my business name. I wanted something catchy and a play on words. So I changed it to Sweet Stuffed.
Eventually, I quit my Pharmacy job and started focusing on entrepreneurship full-time. I was overworking for someone else, trying to be a full-time mother and bake on the side at the same time, and trying to keep up with it all. I had to quit something, and of course, I couldn't quit being a mother, lol. I have been in business legally since 2016. My children are my number one supporters and motivators. I'm big on generational wealth. So without them, I wouldn't be able to even get up every day to hit the kitchen and bake. They are also my test tasters, lol. They hate when I'm baking something for a customer, and they think it's for them. But also my customers are it for me. I have the best customers anybody could ask for. I've named a lot of them as family. I'm the cousin, sister, or aunt that "has hands like grandma," as most of them would call it. I love to see the smile on their faces. My favorite thing to hear them say is, "that's soooo good," and "this is the best cheesecake I've ever eaten." Imagine eating something so good; you have no words other than that's good and silence because you want to enjoy every bite in peace. It's amazing being able to service my community with my talent. And they are the most supportive customers ever. You couldn't ask to be blessed with better people around you loving what you do. I keep saying I can't wait until I am a billionaire so I can gift each of my customers with something special. I love them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As the owner of Sweet Stuffed LLC, I think my biggest accomplishment hasn't arrived yet. I'm so thankful to be able to do what I love to serve my community, and I enjoy doing it. I have had a few partnerships with a couple of magazine features and was nominated in the top 3 for an award with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. I've had some other recognitions as well, but nothing really compares to being able to use my talent and give it to the world one by one starting with my state. I am so blessed.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One thing about being a business owner, you won't always have busy days, especially in my field. Some days are definitely more active than other days. In the past, those slow days would make you want to give up. I learned over the years that giving up isn't an option for me. There were many days I tried, but a customer reached out to me and placed an order. I couldn't quit if I tried, lol. And I never have. Even in the midst of the pandemic, I would not stop working hard on my business. I was placed in this position for a reason, and I'm grateful.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
For someone out there trying to start a business, DO IT. Make sure you have a backup plan such as a financial safety net or a job to secure your finances. I honestly started with little to no money, and I quit my job. Making sure you have enough money to start and keep afloat is important. And it could make or break you. But keep the Faith. Faith will take you along the way. Remember, Rome wasn't built overnight. Stay positive. If no one else believes in you, you must believe in yourself and your product and keep going. The right person will.
For someone running a business, I want to let you know not to focus on your competition. There is always something different about what you're doing as opposed to your competition. Believe in that. Make people love your customer service and your product. Quality is important. Also, market, market, market. This is so important. I have sat on the corner of a busy intersection in a shopping parking lot, sold out of a barbershop, radio ads, flyers, etc... Get your business out there so people won't forget you. If you are trying to grow your business, networking is important. Networking with other businesses/business-minded people is important to grow and learn from them.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
One thing to always remember, a business owner doesn't get equal rich, lol. You will have to put in long hours, hard work, and dedication to get where you want to be and become "rich." But there is nothing you can't do if you are a genuine person and focus on your gift and your goal. Money is important, but it shouldn't be the main drive to running your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sweet-stuffed.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bsweetstuffed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweet_stuffed_llc/
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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