With Mother's Day this past Sunday, I thought it would be appropriate to do a blog post about my mom. But I can't talk about her love and support without mentioning my dad. So I'm making this post about both of them! They are my biggest fans and the reason I am where I am today.
Photo by Kelsey Jean Photography
I'm very lucky to have parents who believe in me like they do. I'm sure many people's parents might have been concerned when their 24-year-old wanted to open their own bakery, or any business for that matter. Granted, most parents are supportive and want their children to do what makes them happy, but to have them never think twice about my business or business plan, was more than I could have ever asked for. Instead, they immediately went into proud parent mode and helped me find the perfect location, paint walls on the weekends, deal with contractors, make trips to get cabinets, etc.
Before I continue bragging about my wonderful my parents were through my business journey, let me tell you a bit more about them. My drive and entrepreneurial mindset definitely comes from them...NOT the baking side...just the entrepreneurial side. No offense mom! They too own a business. I remember how scary it was when they went into business. You never know what the future holds, but all you can do is hope for the best, give it your all, and work REALLY hard. So that's what I'm doing.
They have been in business for 12 years, and they are only getting busier. People start businesses all the time, but to make one last and grow is something that doesn't happen a lot and is something to strive for. They have set a great example for me when it comes to working hard and reaching for the stars. I can only hope Steph's Sweet Treats can be compared to their success someday.
Warning!! This next section brags about my dad and how brilliant he is. He didn't get the chance to finish high school, out of the necessity to work and make money. He has a mind that can look at almost anything and make it, fix it, solve the problem, or do whatever it is that needs to be done. He doesn't have a high school diploma or a college degree, yet he is one of the smartest people I know and has grown and sustained a successful business with his business partners.
I have worked for my parents ever since they opened their doors. At the time, that meant going to work with my dad all day while the rest of my friends were at the beach. I may not have always liked it, but I learned how to set goals and how to manage money. I remember a specific day where I didn't want to go home until I finished packing all the handles I had. It was the weekend and when I finally finished, my mom took me to Madison where I spent my check on a big stack of books. Going to Madison was a big deal when I was young, because it didn't happen often, and being able to buy my own books felt like a huge accomplishment. My first big purchase was an ipod. Keep in mind this was back then ipods were new, very expensive, and looked like big bricks. I was so proud of myself for earning my own money and I used that thing up until a few years ago. I will probably never get rid of it, just as a reminder and for good memories.
Having worked for my parents for so long and being an only child has always been stressful for me. Not because working for them is stressful (well lets be honest, mothers and daughters know how to push each others buttons!), but because baking has always been my passion, and I felt a huge responsibility to carry on their business...but I wanted my own. My parents have never told me I have to work for them, or have to take over for them. In fact, I'm not even sure they know I have always felt this sort of responsibility. Now I spend more time baking and building Steph's Sweet Treats than I do working for them, and they couldn't be happier for me.
Their support in my business venture has eased the stress/pressure of thinking I need to stay at their company. A little piece of guilt will probably always stick with me, but when I'm in the midst of baking for a wedding, or knee deep in weekend orders, I know I did the right thing in opening Steph's Sweet Treats. Because doing what you love for a career doesn't feel like work at all. Sure, there's still job stresses and business things that need to be taken care of, but as a whole, owning and baking for Steph's Sweet Treats doesn't feel like work. It just feel like my wildest dreams have come true (still can't believe it)....I feel at home...and I wouldn't have any of it without my mom and dad.
Before I continue bragging about my wonderful my parents were through my business journey, let me tell you a bit more about them. My drive and entrepreneurial mindset definitely comes from them...NOT the baking side...just the entrepreneurial side. No offense mom! They too own a business. I remember how scary it was when they went into business. You never know what the future holds, but all you can do is hope for the best, give it your all, and work REALLY hard. So that's what I'm doing.
They have been in business for 12 years, and they are only getting busier. People start businesses all the time, but to make one last and grow is something that doesn't happen a lot and is something to strive for. They have set a great example for me when it comes to working hard and reaching for the stars. I can only hope Steph's Sweet Treats can be compared to their success someday.
Warning!! This next section brags about my dad and how brilliant he is. He didn't get the chance to finish high school, out of the necessity to work and make money. He has a mind that can look at almost anything and make it, fix it, solve the problem, or do whatever it is that needs to be done. He doesn't have a high school diploma or a college degree, yet he is one of the smartest people I know and has grown and sustained a successful business with his business partners.
I have worked for my parents ever since they opened their doors. At the time, that meant going to work with my dad all day while the rest of my friends were at the beach. I may not have always liked it, but I learned how to set goals and how to manage money. I remember a specific day where I didn't want to go home until I finished packing all the handles I had. It was the weekend and when I finally finished, my mom took me to Madison where I spent my check on a big stack of books. Going to Madison was a big deal when I was young, because it didn't happen often, and being able to buy my own books felt like a huge accomplishment. My first big purchase was an ipod. Keep in mind this was back then ipods were new, very expensive, and looked like big bricks. I was so proud of myself for earning my own money and I used that thing up until a few years ago. I will probably never get rid of it, just as a reminder and for good memories.
Having worked for my parents for so long and being an only child has always been stressful for me. Not because working for them is stressful (well lets be honest, mothers and daughters know how to push each others buttons!), but because baking has always been my passion, and I felt a huge responsibility to carry on their business...but I wanted my own. My parents have never told me I have to work for them, or have to take over for them. In fact, I'm not even sure they know I have always felt this sort of responsibility. Now I spend more time baking and building Steph's Sweet Treats than I do working for them, and they couldn't be happier for me.
Their support in my business venture has eased the stress/pressure of thinking I need to stay at their company. A little piece of guilt will probably always stick with me, but when I'm in the midst of baking for a wedding, or knee deep in weekend orders, I know I did the right thing in opening Steph's Sweet Treats. Because doing what you love for a career doesn't feel like work at all. Sure, there's still job stresses and business things that need to be taken care of, but as a whole, owning and baking for Steph's Sweet Treats doesn't feel like work. It just feel like my wildest dreams have come true (still can't believe it)....I feel at home...and I wouldn't have any of it without my mom and dad.
Photo by Kelsey Jean Photography
Now, over a year after opening Steph's Sweet Treats, if you come to my open days you've probably seen my mom around. She ran the register for Valentine's Day and pops in after work to watch the door for me so I can go in the back and finish up orders, do dishes, or eat lunch super fast. You may have also seen her at a bridal expo with me, Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship, wedding delivery, or around town with her Steph's Sweet Treats shirt on handing out a business card or two...yes she's known to do that.
I know my mom tells random people about my business, but I never realized my dad has done the same...until last week. I was in Kwik Trip buying my eggs and milk in the wee hours of the morning when the cashier told me my dad was in the day before. I was surprised they knew who my dad was because I had never run into him when this particular person was working (but we do often see each other this time of morning as he also goes to work super early). They told me my dad was one proud papa...he had told them all about what I do and my business. I was surprised and very touched. I'm not the kind of person who tells people what I do unless directly asked. I had never told the worker what I do; I just let them assume that I must eat a whole lot of eggs and chug milk on a daily basis. So hearing that my dad had tooted his proud dad horn to someone, made my heart smile.
Let's not forget my in-laws! They too have been a huge support for me as a person and in my business venture. I married my high school sweetheart, so my in-laws have been in my life a long time already. They welcomed me into the family right away...my mother-in-law even let me make her kitchen a mess with my after school and weekend baking adventures! They sport their Steph's Sweet Treats shirts around town and are always happy to spread the word about my business. My father-in-law even does pickups at my shop for me. If you've had to pick up in the middle of the week, you've probably met him!
I know my mom tells random people about my business, but I never realized my dad has done the same...until last week. I was in Kwik Trip buying my eggs and milk in the wee hours of the morning when the cashier told me my dad was in the day before. I was surprised they knew who my dad was because I had never run into him when this particular person was working (but we do often see each other this time of morning as he also goes to work super early). They told me my dad was one proud papa...he had told them all about what I do and my business. I was surprised and very touched. I'm not the kind of person who tells people what I do unless directly asked. I had never told the worker what I do; I just let them assume that I must eat a whole lot of eggs and chug milk on a daily basis. So hearing that my dad had tooted his proud dad horn to someone, made my heart smile.
Let's not forget my in-laws! They too have been a huge support for me as a person and in my business venture. I married my high school sweetheart, so my in-laws have been in my life a long time already. They welcomed me into the family right away...my mother-in-law even let me make her kitchen a mess with my after school and weekend baking adventures! They sport their Steph's Sweet Treats shirts around town and are always happy to spread the word about my business. My father-in-law even does pickups at my shop for me. If you've had to pick up in the middle of the week, you've probably met him!
Photo by Kelsey Jean Photography
So what I'm trying to say is....thank you! Thank you to my parents for making me into the person I am, never doubting me even when I doubt myself, pushing me to go for my dreams, and being my biggest fans. I love you!!
(My husband is also one of my biggest fans...but I have a whole other post planned for him)
And thank you to everyone else for another week of orders!
(My husband is also one of my biggest fans...but I have a whole other post planned for him)
And thank you to everyone else for another week of orders!
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