We recently connected with America Franken and have shared our conversation below.

America , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started my business, ATX Sweet Serendipity, in April 2024 at just 16 years old. Looking back, I sometimes wish I had started a year earlier. If I had launched at 15, I would have had an extra year to refine my skills, develop better marketing strategies, and grow my customer base. It could have been an opportunity to perfect my treats and create a more polished business presence online.

Coming to school and seeing my classmates struggle with late-night work shifts and rushing out early to make it to their jobs made me think about taking a different path. Starting my own business had been a dream since I was nine years old, but I didn’t know what direction to take at the time. Watching my peers juggle school, work, and life with little time for hobbies or fun showed me that I needed to create a more flexible work environment for myself. I wanted the freedom to set my own hours and avoid the stress of working for someone else while trying to manage homework and extracurriculars. I didn’t want to be overwhelmed by both school deadlines and the demands of a boss.

Owning my own business has allowed me to create that balance. I set my own schedule, which is crucial since I’m a double major in performance theatre and choral studies, earning a musical theatre certificate, and actively involved in various clubs. Outside of school, I compete on my equestrian team during breaks and summers. My business gives me the flexibility to work from anywhere—posting on Instagram about which city or state I’ll be in and waiting for the orders to come in. This mobility ensures I don’t have to sacrifice my education, extracurriculars, or passions to earn a living.

At 17, I feel proud of how far I’ve come in just six months. However, I can’t help but think about the advantages of an earlier start. Launching at 15 could have given me valuable experiences to carry into my sophomore and junior years, making me more confident and prepared. While I’m incredibly grateful for the progress I’ve made, I occasionally wonder how different things might have been if I had taken the leap sooner.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! My name is America Grace Franken, and I’m the owner and founder of ATX Sweet Serendipity, a business I launched at the beginning of 2024.

I specialize in creating a wide range of sweets, and even snacks like fruit cups, elote en vaso, and arroz con leche. I also make eternal ribbon roses, Migajón flowers, and homecoming Mums! I don’t limit my business to just sweets. I’m often booked for event setups, especially for quinceañeras, birthdays, special events, & weddings. I offer items with personalized gold 4ft tall letters and numbers in lights, backdrops, and tablecloths to elevate the celebration or event.

What got me into becoming an entrepreneur was truly my creativity and a strong desire to fund my future education. From an early age, I always loved making things by hand, and that passion turned into a business idea I shared with my mom. After some trial and error, I started giving out samples, and the response was amazing! People started booking me for their events, and the rest is history. My biggest supporters, I would have to say are my mom, my grandparents, and the rest of my family!

What sets ATX Sweet Serendipity apart is the personal touch. I make everything with care and love, focusing on details that give a sense of serendipity, which is why my business is called Sweet Serendipity. Serendipity just means that unexpected feeling you didn’t think would hit you but give you a wonderful feeling of joy. My goal is to aim to create something memorable. I’m most proud of my chocolate-covered strawberries, which are probably my best-sellers, but I also take pride in offering unique setups and customizations to match any client’s party vision.

As for the problems I solve, it’s about making life easier for people who are planning events. It can be stressful trying to plan everything at once, and that’s where I come in. I handle the sweets and the décor setup so my clients can focus on enjoying their special day. I want my clients to know that I’ll always go the extra mile to bring their vision to life, whether it’s something elegant, fun, or one-of-a-kind.

Ultimately, what I’m most proud of is how this business has allowed me to work toward my dream of becoming a lawyer. Running a business has taught me valuable lessons about financial management, marketing, and perseverance, and I’m saving the majority of my earnings to pay for law school.

For anyone considering hiring me as your event and treat maker, All you have to do is Direct message my business account on Instagram and I will get to you as soon as possible. I’m passionate about bringing joy and helping make your event unforgettable. With ATX Sweet Serendipity, I believe that every celebration and event should feel magical, and that’s what I promise to deliver!

Building my audience on social media for ATX Sweet Serendipity started with a lot of trial and error, but the trick was being consistent and engaging with my followers. In the beginning, I mainly relied on word of mouth, sharing my products with family and friends. Once I started posting consistently on Instagram, I made sure my content was visually appealing. High-quality pictures of my treats and event setups really helped grab people’s attention. I would also advertise my treats at school and then more people would talk about my business and order from me!

I pay close attention to feedback from my customers, tweaking my posts and approach based on what people liked or what got more engagement. For example, posts with behind-the-scenes content, close-ups of my treats, or even making reels on Instagram or TikToks always perform well.

Another tip I can offer is to be extremely kind, make a calendar or agenda for all the orders and events, and to keep up with special dates and holidays.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best way I’ve found to attract clients is by putting up posters around school and staying active on Instagram. Posting regularly and engaging with my followers has really helped me build a solid online presence. The posters catch people’s attention on campus, and Instagram lets me connect with a wider audience in a more personal way.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, I’d say consistency is key. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged, and make sure you’re interacting with your followers, responding to comments and messages helps build a real connection. Also, use hashtags that actually relate to your niche so you can reach the right people. It’s also important to let your personality shine through, people are drawn to authenticity. And don’t forget to keep learning and adapting as you go. It takes time, but with patience and persistence, you’ll definitely see results.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I stay in touch with clients and build loyalty by keeping things personal. I make sure to customize every order, whether it’s adjusting the sweets for a specific theme or setting up something special for their event. Clients really appreciate that personal touch, and it’s why they keep coming back. I also check in with them after events to make sure everything went well.

Social media is a big part of staying connected too. I’m active on Instagram, where I respond to messages, reply to comments, and share reviews or repost clients’ stories. It helps create a sense of community and keeps my brand in front of them.

I always follow up after an event or order to thank clients and ask for feedback. It shows them I care about their experience and gives me a chance to improve. I also offer special discounts or deals to loyal clients or those who refer others.

Being reliable is also really important. Clients know they can count on me to deliver quality products on time, and that trust keeps them coming back. I want every experience with my brand to be something they’ll remember, so they’ll return and recommend me to others. By staying consistent, personal, and always paying attention to their needs, I build strong, lasting relationships.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atx.sweetserendipity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559077059545&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@atx.sweetserendipity?_t=8rVQIjuI8HG&_r=1

Image Credits

America Grace Franken – Owner and Founder of ATX Sweet Serendipity