We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarita Scott a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarita, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

The most important lesson I have learned from previous employer was never work harder for someone else than you work for yourself. I was in manufacturing prior to becoming a small business owner. I’ve learned no matter how hard you work or show up for employer your own worth is more important. I’ve learned to have a back up plan no matter the situation or circumstance. I’ve learned that you have very few days off as an entrepreneur. I was laid off of a job in late January of 2020 before covid 19 broke out in thus country. I have been in hustle and survival mode ever since. I felt lost when I got called into an office to tell me that my position had been eliminated and other employees got to keep their jobs that wouldn’t even show up for work most days. The only African American female in the office at that time really did make me feel a kind of way. But God had another door of opportunity open up for me. Just before my lay off I registered my small business with the secretary of state.
Visionz by Cinnamon Smilez LLC was created in December of 2019 and I have several umbrellas that have banched off. The most popular Cakes by Cinnamon Smilez. I am the proud owner and lead confectioner of my business. I’ve been baking 3 years as of September of 2024 and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I discovered a gift within me that I never knew I had. I knew as a child I loved art, coloring & creating. Never knew till my 40’s that it would actually come to past and I absolutely love it! I love being apart of people special engagements. I love the smiles on their faces I get thru the love of baking. I have a peace that I can’t even describe when it comes to creating in the kitchen. I’ve never attended school for baking but it was something that just came naturally. My advice to any one that has been thinking about starting something they truly love do it. Don’t allow anyone to talk to out of something that adds to your happiness. Get busy today. Find time to focus on your passion so you can find that peace that nobody else could ever understand. Invest & believe in yourself because nobody else will like you do..

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sarita Scott I am 45 years of age. I am not married and I have no children. I am the proud owner of Visionz by Cinnamon Smilez LLC which has a few umbrellas that fall under the business. Cakes by Cinnamon Smilez would be the most popular of what I offer under my small business.
Visionz was created because God has always given me a vision and I have always been told my eyes tell a story. Out of 7 days a week I bake atleast 5.
As an entrepreneur their are no days off but your are investing in you every time. When starting a small business you must stay consistent because consistency gets you to where you wanna be. All the blood, sweat and tears help you build your brand for YOU and your future your legendacy. What I am most proud of is I didn’t quit. No matter how many cakes didn’t rise or I messed up during the process I kept going. Even when you can’t see the end you must get up every day so u don’t fail. Bet on you everytime! I want my clients future clients to know that my product is always baked by hands and a heart that care.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Faith in God has help fund my business. I have never had a loan or grant to fund my business. Funding comes from prayer, believing and having great supporters on top of being consistent. I have had raffles as quarterly fund raisers to help fund. I have had sponsorship from supporters and family to do big events on top of producing my products thru every cake order. Whether, it but whole cakes, cupcakes, cake loafs, and cake pops thus is my funding. I have been blessed the last 4 years and 10 months and I am thankful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The story I will share is I’ve been hospitalized 3 times in the last 4 years.
November 2020 covid 19 one week.
Shortly after being released I began having problems with my hips and lower back. I had no underlining issues prior to covid and even being hospitalized. I didn’t suffer from high blood pressure, obesity, blood sugar or cholesterol. So I do believe that covid attracted the weakest part of my body which was arthritis. I could hardly walk in January of 2021. I had been laid of a year prior. Covid 19 broke out unemployed. Finally able to get in with a doctor get referrals to see a nurolisgt.
Doctors diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. Herniated L5 and slipped L4 specialist told me they didn’t even knw how I was even walking. Put me on bed rest till they were able to schedule a full hip replacement of my left side in July of 2021. Shortly after going thru and healing. I started having issues with my right side. October of 2021 doctors told me I had to get my right hip replaced as well. There way a delay is scheduling surgery due to covid numbers increasing again. In April of 2022 I was able to get my right full hip replacement. Finally being released in February of 2023. That healing process took a little longer. I am grateful thru it all. God kept me a great support team and family kept me and I trusted the process. Thru the journey I never quit. I got a little discouraged but never gave up. So again I say bet on your self and believe that you can get thru.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bakesy.shop/b/cakes-by-cinnamon-smilez
• Instagram: Cake_by_Cinnamon_Smilez
• Facebook: Cakes by Cinnamon Smilez

Image Credits

Photo credits by Sarita Scott