It's been a busy couple of weeks over here at Steph's Sweet Treats, and it's only getting crazier now that we are fully in gradation and wedding season.  But you all know by now that I love the craziness.  I thought I'd take a minute to recap some of the great events I have been a part of the last few weeks-I hope you have all been able to enjoy them!

Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship-  This event gets bigger and better every year.  I knew I didn't have enough cupcakes going into the event (I had a lot weekend orders, a wedding, and wedding delivery), but I would have never guessed that I would sell over 300 cupcakes in two hours!  I literally felt like I was slinging cupcakes left and right.  Next year I hope to have a LOT more cupcakes available!  On the bright side, selling out gave me time to grab some amazing food truck food- cheese curds and a panini! 

Little behind the scenes tidbit:  I got back from a wedding delivery just in time to run this event!  My mom did my morning pickups for me at my shop while my dad went with me to a wedding delivery.  It was a long way from Dodgeville and somewhere I had never been before...my dad didn't need to go with me, but boy oh boy am I glad he did!  I had no idea where I was going...even though I wrote down directions and tried mapping on my phone...if he wasn't there I probably would have ended up in Minnesota or something crazy!  My husband set up the cupcakes and manned my station until I was able to get there.  From there, I took over tossing cupcakes to everyone while my mom collected money for me.  It was a true family effort that day!

Sip and Savor-Taste of Southwest Wisconsin.  This event was put on by Upland Hills Health as a fundraiser.  It was the first year for the event and it had a pretty good turnout!  The weather was warm and the food and music were good!  I hope this is an event that continues, and in turn grows year after year.  It was nice to see local restaurants all in one space.

Little behind the scenes tidbit:  I was in a hurry (like usual) and completely forgot to bring a snack or even water with me.  Thankfully, the Grumpy Troll booth next to me had water...and delicious Sunflower Beer; and my husband stopped by with Wyatt so I could see them and grab food from some of the other stands.

White Oak Savanna Grand Opening-  This event took place over the weekend...despite a very rainy and dreary day, they had a great turnout!  Attendees got to tour the land and venue, do a free yoga session, get food, drinks,  and cupcakes, and listen to live music.  If you don't know, White Oak Savanna is a farm located just outside of Dodgeville that has been newly remodeled and will now host things like corporate events, concerts and weddings.  

Behind the scenes tidbit-  Of course....once again I was in a hurry.  My husband did a morning wedding delivery while I did weekend pickups at my shop; I ran all my goodies out to White Oak Savanna;  I then did a wedding delivery with Wyatt while my husband set up the cupcakes at White Oak Savanna...and I once again arrived just in time to run my booth...without a coat!  Do you remember how chilly it was on Saturday?!  The thermometer didn't say it was very cold...but let me know tell you-I was mighty chilly.  Don't worry, I got scolded by plenty of attendees!  ​

As you know from previous blog posts (or if you follow me on Facebook and/or snapchat- stephsweetreats- you know that I've been baking some things for Cobblestone Coffee House in town.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to spread the word of both our businesses and have loved the freedom they have given me to do whatever I'd like.  I hope you have been stopping there for your morning coffee, breakfast, lunch and a treat!  

​Some local vendors have created monthly Ladies' Nights that also take place at Cobblestone Coffee House.  Various local vendors/consultants set up, you stop in and shop, grab some Steph's Sweet Treats (I make sure the cases are stocked up for you!) and  enjoy wine from the wine bar.  You should definitely check it out!

Don't forget about my next event...the one that is near and dear to my heart-  Steph's Sweet Treats Customer Appreciation Day!!  Mark your calendars, invite your friends-spread the word.  Most importantly.... stop and enjoy yourself-I want to thank each and every one of you for getting me and this business to the place it is today (and hope and push for even more growth).

Thanks for another week of orders!  And thank you for helping Steph's Sweet Treats win in three categories for the Best of the Best of Iowa County!

Coffee and cupcakes....can't get much better than that.  Unless, it's Steph's Sweet Treats cupcakes at Cobblestone Coffee House!!  Cobblestone Coffee House is under new management and wants to shake things up a bit and partner locally...which is the best thing ever!  

So, starting next week you can get your Steph's Sweet Treats fix when you stop in for your coffee fix! How amazing is that?? Pop in for coffee or a bite to eat, and DO NOT forget your dessert!  I will be stocking their cases with a variety of goodies.  If there's something particular you are wanting to see let me or Dani (manger) know and I'll do my best to rotate things in by demand.  Cobblestone Coffee House will be keeping their current scones, muffins and cookies that they make and I will start by rotating in cupcakes and pies.  As the season changes, so will the treats!

I'm very excited for this partnership and new venture and I hope you are all excited as well!  You now have more opportunity to get your Steph's Sweet Treats goodies, and I hope this will drive my customers to Cobblestone Coffee House and Cobblestone's to me.  

Keep an eye out for more fun and events- Thanks for another week of orders everyone!

There's a lot of fun events coming up that I will be attending (or hosting) so this blog post will fill you in on the details so you can mark your calendars and join in on the fun!

Besides my monthly open days (next one is April 13th so make sure you pop in for some pre-Easter goodies!), here's what you can look forward to:

Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship:  This year is the 6th annual Grilled Cheese Championship (my third year attending) and believe me when I tell you this event gets bigger and better every year!  The event will be held on April 29th 11am-4pm at the Ley Memorial Pavilion at Harris Park.  The event is free and is fun the whole family.  Stop by to watch the competition, sample local cheeses, grab lunch and drinks from local food trucks and of course grab your dessert...my cupcakes!

Sip and Savor: Taste of Southwest Wisconsin-  this event (on May 13 4pm-7pm) is being held by Upland Hills Health and also takes place at the Ley Memorial Pavillion at Harris Park.  It's the first year this event will be taking place, so make sure you stop by so it can occur year after year!  Admission is free, but you purchase tickets in order to "sip and savor" local foods and drinks...including my cupcakes!  There will also be music by Shekinah King and Point Five.  The bases are all covered: food, drinks, music, and cupcakes!  A guaranteed good time so mark your calendars!

Also in May (it's going to be a busy few months!) I will be setting up at an amazing new location just outside of town.  The details are still in the works, but it will be May 20 at White Oak Savanna so mark your calendar and check out this beautiful place!

And lastly, my very own event:  Steph's Sweet Treats customer appreciation day!  Once again, the event will be at the Ley Memorial Pavillon at Harris Park; June 25th 11am-3pm.  I did a previous blog post on this event, but here it is again!  The event is a day to celebrate the support of my customers with local vendors, door prizes, Steph's Sweet Treats merchandise, samples, and cupcakes!  There will also be a coloring table set up and I'm looking for someone who can do face painting (Cheeky Monkey is already booked- so I'm interested in just finding an artistic person looking to make a few bucks-contact me if you know someone or if you are interested!)  The event is free, but come ready to shop because there will be all kinds of amazing vendors!  

Vendors: LulaRoe, Arbonne, Norwex, dōTERRA®, Thirty-One, Scentsy, Avon, Decorative windows, L'bri, Magnolia & Vine, Plexus, Keep, Sign and craft maker, Haley's Country Connections, Clever Container, Fizziez, Decor and glass block maker, Woodn' Bucket Designs, Usborne Books, and Great Scott's Pizza.

I hope you can make it to all these events- I look forward to baking for them and seeing everyone!  Thanks for another week of orders!

Steph's Sweet Treats has grown mostly by word of mouth and Facebook.  My customers have been outstanding at telling their friends and family about me as well as spreading the word on Facebook.  I rarely do any outside advertising, so the fact that Steph's Sweet Treats has grown the way it has, just goes to further show how amazing my customers are.  So it's time to celebrate you...the customers!  

I am planning a Customer Appreciation Day event at the Ley Memorial Pavilion at Harris Park on June 25 from 11am-3pm!  All the details are still in the works but I wanted to get it out there early so you can mark your calendars and plan on stopping! Since there's been so many local supporters of me, I thought I'd make this a day to help and celebrate other small local businesses at the same time.  

So not only will I be set up with merchandise and discount cupcakes, there will be vendors of all kinds (example: LulaRoe, Arbonne, Scentsy, etc), door prizes, and hopefully some music and food vendors!  There will be all kinds of amazing things in one place for a day full of fun, cupcakes, and me thanking you for making Steph's Sweet Treats a dream come true for me!  Mark your calendars and stay tuned for all the details!

​As usual, thanks for another week of orders!!

Six months....six whole months...that's half of a year!  How is it possible that it has ALREADY been half a year since we had Wyatt???  That's a long time in real life, but in mommy life I feel like I blinked and my itty bitty newborn has developed into a little man!  So there will be no more blinking over here!  Just kidding...but seriously...how?!  

Many of you have been able to see Wyatt when doing pickups or popping into an open day, but in case you haven't, or if it's been awhile, I thought now would be the time to do an update and look back at the first six months of running a business with a baby.

 Looking back at those first few weeks and months I'm still not sure how I did it.  I filled orders two days after coming home from the hospital!  Ok...I do know how I did it...an amazing husband who came to the bakery with me so I wouldn't have be separated from my newborn.  There was a few times when I ended up going into the bakery in the middle of the night while he was sleeping so I could finish some things up and not miss bedtime or him waking up in the morning (oddly enough it was for two very large orders involving cows, but for two separate company's/farms).

When my husband went back to work my mom took over coming to the bakery with me and Wyatt when I was going to have long baking days.  If I had a lot of orders to fill and it was going to be a long day, my mom would come along so she could help out with Wyatt so I could continue with my order filling instead of pausing.  For this I will be forever grateful!  I didn't have to be away from Wyatt for hours on end and I still got to fill orders.  Now I still get the help of my mom a day or two a week at home while I go in and bake.  I try to pick those "helps days" based on the amount of orders I have, and I try not be gone for more than six hours.  

Go ahead a call me crazy...I get it, people go to work every day all day and have to leave their babies, but it's my personal choice not to...and if I and lucky enough to have to then why would I? I'm sure at some point I'll feel comfortable to be gone longer (and not feel like my heart is being ripped out)...but I don't yet, so I won't.  I have done some serious reorganization of my bakery in order to make a dedicated space for Wyatt to make being a mom and business owner as easy as possible.  

No matter how busy things get, I have made a promise to myself and Wyatt that I will snuggle up with him at least once a day during one of his naps.  Some days this is really challenging and will become more so as he naps less and wedding season starts, but for now I will do my absolute best to keep this a constant in our lives.  I don't care if it's only 10 minutes....I will enjoy every last minute.  

One of my biggest challenges has been keeping up with inquiries.  After having my phone wake up Wyatt during a cuddle session one too many times, I keep it on silent the majority of the time.  A lot of the time I cannot answer the calls, emails, messages, or texts immediately like I use to.  I do my best to send a quick note to people saying I see your message, call, etc. and let them know I will respond as soon as I can.  Now that Wyatt is aware of things around him I try really hard not to constantly have my phone in his face or be working away responding to people with him watching me.  This makes getting back to people even more challenging; so please hang in there with me! I will get back to you; I just don't want my son seeing me on my phone constantly or have it in his face 24/7.   

Every moment seems so precious, as many of you know.  I am the queen of saying yes to people, and I have really tried to go out of my way to continuously accommodate and take on extra for customers when I can, but I refuse to put my son on the back burner.  I want those special moments, craft making, snuggles, and playing-the things that will forever stay in my mind.

 But that also doesn't mean I am putting my business or customers on the back burner!  I hope I am satisfying you guys as well and fulfilling all your baking wants and needs! I have been lucky enough thus far to manage/balance the best of both worlds (being a mom and business owner), and I hope you guys can see this and have been happy with how I have managed the two.  I have gone back to open days, and have only turned down really last minute orders or limited orders when a weekend is super packed (something I did even before baby).  Thank you all so much for your continued support and orders!  I hope to see you all at the Valentine's Day open day!  Now please excuse me while I go shed some tears over this milestone!

Everything doesn't always go as planned and sometimes what you think is a great idea, turns out to be a terrible idea.  So I put together a blog of my very own baking fails!  I thought it might be fun for you to see some of the not so great things and to show that no matter how long you've been doing something or how far you've come, things still fail from time to time.

,Let's start with my Monster Energy cake from back before I owned Steph's Sweet Treats (2012)  On the outside this probably looks like a baking success....but open it up and it's a whole other story. Don't worry I would never made this cake now because I follow copyright laws-this was just a cake for my boyfriend (now husband).  By "open it up" I mean eat it.  Since Aaron loved Monster at the time I thought it would be a lovely idea to make him this awesome cake by using not only the Monster logo....but Monster in the actual cake.  Result=not a pleasant tasting cake!   It was super fun to make and Aaron really loved how it looked, but this is a baking fail because it shows you cannot just throw anything you want into a cake batter...especially not an energy drink!

Next up: my nieces cupcake cake from a few years ago.  Again, this might not seem  like a fail from the photo (and again is something I cannot make/sell to anyone due to copyright laws.  But it was for my niece, not for sale).  In theory this Tangled themed cupcake cake was great and I was super excited when I took this photo.....then I realized I had to get it to the party...  If I was thinking ahead I would have just assembled it at her party.  But I wasn't, and for the party this cake made an appearance without the "tower" and the "hair" merely draped over the cupcakes.  Not my proudest moment!  At least I know they tasted good!

Looking at these "cupcakes" I cannot stop laughing.  I mean....what in the world was I thinking??  In my defense these are from 2010 back when I just spent every weekend experimenting in the kitchen and making flavors.  So while they probably tasted good....this is clearly not a good look for cupcakes. FAIL!

Below is my very own baby shower cake.  Why is it a fail?  Well I wouldn't exactly say it is, but boy oh boy did I struggle with that darn fox topper!  I knew what I wanted on my cake and I can usually figure it out, but for some reason I could not make a fox face out of fondant to save my life!  I tried over and over and over and right when I was about to say screw it and consider it a total fail , I made this one.  Not what I had envisioned to start with, but it worked!

And finally two other fails I can think of.  First, my attempt at a savory cupcake.  I came up with it for the first year I was going to be selling at the Grilled Cheese Championship. Naturally, I thought I should have a cupcake with cheese in it!  I tested a cornbread cheddar cheese cupcake with whipped honey frosting.  I think that sounds good...but it was not!  However, I am confident I could redo this cupcake now and make it taste delicious!  

And most recently would be the first gingerbread house I have ever made.  Now you may be thinking "what are you talking about? I saw your gingerbread house and you sold gingerbread house kits and they were great!."  But that was actually my second attempt that created all those photos and went on my snapchat feed!  My first go-around was an icing disaster with sliding roofs and tipping over walls.  It turns out you need patience for gingerbread houses!  One wall at a time....wait for it to set...and then move on.  DO NOT attempt to slap it all together and look completely puzzled when it keeps falling over and making a mess.  Very happy I did not give up on that one and redid it to have the result I ended up with!

I hope you enjoyed this look at my fails or got a good laugh.  Thanks for another week of orders!

 I don't really have a problem thinking of topics to write/blog about...but they wouldn't necessarily be related to the bakery!  Sooo I thought I'd check in with the readers and ask you-what do you like seeing and reading on the blog??

I've done everything from behind the scenes on orders, wedding recaps, personal vacations, an opinion piece or two, and stuff about my personal life.  What do you like to see most?  Is there something you want me to write about that I haven't?  Want to see more of something or a certain topic?  Now's your chance-let me know!!  Take the survey below or comment on the Facebook post.

This is a little bitty blog post asking for your opinion.  But before I sign off....check out the Valentine's Day open day event on Facebook, follow me on snapchat for even more behind the scenes (stephsweetreats) and as always...thanks for another week of orders!
​

They say time flies when you're having fun...and man oh man is it true!  I cannot believe it has been three years since I opened the doors to Steph's Sweet Treats.  If feels like just yesterday that I bit the bullet and started transforming my building and forming this very "untraditional" style bakery of mine.  I'm sure a lot of people thought I was crazy (I know I could name at least a few)...but I did it anyways...and now it's been three years!  It's definitely a dream come true and I never want it to end; so keep those orders coming!!  I thought it would be fun to take a look back on things and see how Steph's Sweet Treats has changed in a few short years.

The biggest changes in the last three years are probably the personal ones.  I've gotten married, had a baby, and have a forever home...to say it's been a crazy three years is an understatement!  But to say they have been the best three years, is also an understatement.  

But the professional changes have also been major.  The number of weddings per year has almost tripled; I no longer have a second job-the bakery and being mommy to Wyatt are my jobs (so techinally I do have two!); and my skills  continue to develop as customers want bigger, better, and more creative things all the time!  Oh...and I now have over 175 cupcake flavors!  Did I mention I made over 30,000 cupcakes last year?!  Sooo let's look at a few of my very first orders....thank you so much to everyone for their faith in my business and the flavor of the goodies...because let's face it, my decorating skills have come a LONG way! (At least I like to think so)

Besides a whole lot of cupcake flavors, I've also added specialty pre-design cakes, macarons, decorated cookies, and all kinds of other specialty items.  I look forward to all the new challenges that come with my line of work and to coming up with more goodies.  Here's a look at some particulary fun challenges I've had over the last three years:

Each and every year brings new and exciting things.  So what's in store for Steph's Sweet Treats??? Hopefully years and yers of baking for everyone!  I hope to land a few "corporate" deals or businesses that order regularly.  So if you know of one or work/own one hook me up!  I am working to organize/improve my space because I REALLY do not want to move. I have definitely outgrown my itty bitty building, but hate moving and love my location-so my talented uncle is giving it a major facelift!

A major change for customers has probably been that I am no longer as easily accessible.  With a baby I take a bit longer  respond, can't always answer the phone or take on those last minute orders- but I'm doing my best and will at least shoot off a text or quick message to let you know I will get back to you ASAP!

i will continue to great new products,do my open days (even though they are a little shorter and have less after baby-I'll get back there someday).  Right now I'm balancing the best of both worlds...being a mom and owning the bakery of my dreams; and thanks to you guys it's possible.  Thanks for another week (and year) of orders! 

When I say 2016 has been the best year yet, I'm not only referring to Steph's Sweet Treats, but also to my personal life.  As most of you know, my husband and I welcomed a baby boy into the world in August.  It's only been 4 months (well almost 5 months-insert tears here), but I already wonder what life was like before.  I know it was good, but I cannot imagine it any other way now or any better-he is the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Onto to the business side of things...year three for Steph's Sweet Treats has also been the best year ever!  I was very worried about what kind of impact having a baby would do to sales, but I've managed to do more weddings-32 total- (and sales/orders) than last year despite having to turn down and/or cancel around my due date!  (I'm the wacko who filled a few orders three days after comnig home from the hospital!)  I can't believe I pulled it off but I did...thanks to you guys....and the help of my husband and mom!  Steph's Sweet Treats continues to grow; I can only hope that the years to come will be just as prosperous and special.  

I've gotten back into the swing of things by reintroducing my monthly open days (took a few months post baby to get back into it); and I've added more treats to them to make them even more of a special event.  More cookies, bars, and to-go cupcake cups.  It was also very special for us to have baby Wyatt at the first open day post baby for you all to see. He is quickly becoming my little bakery baby!

I think it's safe to say 2016 was also the year of cutout cookies!  Cutout cookies have been my families favorite treat of mine for years, and it seems to be spreading like wildfire with Steph's Sweet Treats customers.  I can never seem to make enough for the open days...and in December alone I made nearly 1000!  I think I was repeating roll, roll, roll...cut, cut, cut...bake, bake, bake all month.

In other new things, I've also added snapchat to the Steph's Sweet Treats social media (follow me at stephsweetreats);  I'm placing Steph's Sweet Treats shirts and sweatshirts order (check Facebook to order); Steph's Sweet Treats was voted Iowa County's best of the best bakery; and I wrapped my vehicle in graphics so I'm now a rolling cupcake billboard!

Thank you all so so so much for your continued support and orders!  I can't wait to see what 2017 brings and continuing to bake for all my customers!

Tis' the season for all kinds of baked goods!  Of course all year is baking season for me, but for everyone else, the holidays are a great reason to get (or give) baked good.  Work parties, family parties, gifts, get-togethers, or just because you want them-no reason needed here-but these are a few great ones to order for!  Don't know what to order for the holidays? No worries, I have PLENTY of ideas!  Here are a few to get your stomach growling and taste buds tingling!

Cookie decorating kits-  Do you love to decorate cookies with your kids, grandkids or friends but don't like the work of cutout cookies?  That's where I come in handy!  You can get a kit of 2 dozen cutout cookies, three colors of frosting and 3 kinds of sprinkles and have the fun of decorating without the work. (I'll gladly do that part for you!)

Cookie variety pack-  A cookie variety pack is perfect for gift giving or can be a go-to for when you need to bring something to a holiday party.  Packs include 25 cookies (five of each) frosted cutout cookies, peanut butter blossoms, cranberry white chocolate oatmeal, soft ginger, and brookies.

Mixed packs of cupcakes-  These are only available for pickup on Friday December 23.  They allow you to get a variety 12 pack of cupcakes for Christmas without having to meet the normal dozen minimum per flavor.  You can get your pack one of two ways:
 - Decorated: vanilla and chocoalate decorated
- 4 chocolate chip cookie dough, 4 gingerbread, 4 candy cane

Gingerbread house kits- these are new and still in the works!  But I'm sure you get the idea- I will supply the gingerbread house pieces, frosting and accessories... and you get to assemle and decorate!  I will post these to my Facebook page as soon as I get everything ready

Gifts-  There's always people you have no idea what to give for presents....I suggest baked good!  Whether it's a gift basket full of caramel corn, pumpkin bread, and cookies, or just a dozen cupcakes- it is sure to be a hit!

Predesign cakes-   I love, love, love making predesign cakes and they are perfect for the holidays!  I even spruced up the cookies n cream one to scream winter (pictured above).  Check them out here.

Cupcake cakes-  Make your holiday parties extra special with a cupcake cake.  A few fun holiday shapes include: santa face, reindeer head, Christas tree, snowman, snowflake, candy cane, and many more!

Whether it's for a party or just because, Steph's Sweet Treats is here for all your holiday baking needs.  Contact me today and thanks for another week of orders!