We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Zeek recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

I am beyond thankful for the amazing customers that support my small business. From weddings to birthday parties there is no way I could say thank you enough for my customers. I love adding a “car cookie” to every cookie order that goes out the door. Who doesn’t want to eat a cookie as they drive home? Sometimes you just can’t wait til the day of your party to try a cookie, it’s a great way to let my customers know how much I appreciate them and get a sweet treat in their hands before party time!

Lauren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been baking and decorating for about five years. A small side hustle turned full time when I had my first baby. The journey of being a small business owner has been a huge blessing for my family. I get to be creative and serve my clients one of a kind sweets, but I also get to spend so much time with my kiddos and watch them grow up.

I specialize in celebration cakes and hand decorated cookies. I am a sucker for a good birthday theme, and always appreciate when my clients come to me with a unique idea for decorated cookies. I also love a classic white wedding cake with an added touch of flare. A floral cake stencil is my go to wedding cake look, it is elegant, yet beautifully detailed.

I believe customer service is of upmost importance. God is at the center of what I do with my business and I hope every interaction I have with my customers, they see that as well. I truly care about each person I am interacting with, Sweets by Zeek offers quick response times, trusted expertise, and an ordering experience that only a small business can offer. I spend time getting to know my clients and love helping in any way I can with their celebration.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I am continuing to unlearn that work should always come first. I have dedicated so many hours to growing this business and putting it first. BUT, my family is first. I get the privilege of doing this for them. We only have so many hours on this earth and I want to make sure that I spend those hours with my family AND my business, not just my business. How many of us find it easy to stay at work a little longer to get a project done, or to get that promotion? When the work is right there in the kitchen I have found that I have to be extra intentional with my family to not let my mind wonder to work mode. This will be something I am always working on – balancing family and Sweets by Zeek.

Can you tell us the story behind your biggest supporters you have met along the way?

I don’t have a business partner, but I have made some amazing wedding industry friends. These ladies are like business partners to me. Their ideas, inspiration, honest conversations, and encouragement have build Sweets by Zeek to what it is today. God places people in our lives for a reason, we were never meant to walk this journey alone. From doing styled shoots, networking events, and using social media I have gotten to know so many wonderful people in the wedding industry. It is truly a place of comrades and not competitors. When we can lift each other up and support one another we will become better versions of ourselves.
Thanks to Allie Kast, Amber Strawn, Emily Pittman, Sarah Lindholm, Hannah Pettigrew, Sara Hoagey and so many others for making those words so true!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sweetsbyzeek.wixsite.com/sweet
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetsbyzeek/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetsbyzeek/

Image Credits
@sarahlindholmphotography @covenantpictures