Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brooke Smith, co-founder of The Dessert Stand, located in Westminster, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Dessert Stand bakery makes cakes, cupcakes, and sweet treats of all kinds. We serve our community a little piece of happiness. We truly enjoy being a part of everyday celebrations, birthdays, weddings, or even just when our customers swing by for a cupcake or ice cream.
Tell us about yourself
Britney & Brooke are twin sisters and started The Dessert Stand almost 12 years ago. We started small, then bought a dessert truck which allowed us to grow into our first retail location 7 years ago. In 2020, we expanded into our current bakery. It's bringing joy that motivates us every day. Seeing the joy on customers' faces with the perfect birthday cake or being a part of amazing life celebrations. It's hard to have a bad day and keeps the hard work in perspective.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is surviving and constantly growing, despite the odds stacked against small businesses. We could have never imagined where this journey would take us when we first started. Today, we do over 500 weddings a year, operate three dessert food trucks, and our bakery continues to grow.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest challenge is being able to take time for yourself and step away. You are constantly being pulled in a million directions as a business owner, so personal time gets very hard to achieve.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be prepared to work harder than you ever have before.
- Be flexible and constantly evolve what you do and offer. Giving your customers fresh ideas and products has helped us survive even the toughest of times.
- Be passionate about what you do; it will carry you through the stress of the daily responsibilities you have as an owner.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thedessertstand.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedessertstand
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedessertstand/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedessertstand
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.