We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charity Smart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charity below.

Charity, appreciate you joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

I first started off operating as a “private” or “personal” baker. I was basically baking for friends and family to start. The guest from these events or celebrations would inquire about “who did the cake or who did the cookies!?” The clients quickly went from just friends and family to general public. However, covid did happen, and you could quickly see the impact it made on small businesses. It became a “trust” issue for the public. I then realized I had to re-strategize my business in order to stay a float. I started looking into vending opportunities. I started working farmer’s markets and doing pop up shops. These events have not only kept me going, but it also offered opportunity in the corporate area. I was given my first corporate opportunity with Exxon Mobil, and I’m already scheduled for two more pop ups with the company.

The difficult part about being a vendor is “cancellations”. It is the risk factor that comes with working with vendor markets. It happens, and you have to be prepared to find other means of selling your product to prevent wasted time and money! I combat this by making products that freeze well and utilizing family. If products don’t sell or if there is a surplus in leftover items, I get family member to sell to their coworkers at a discounted price. You have to always consider the “backup” plan for these events.

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

I am a self taught cake and cookie artist. The cakes and cookies I create are considered custom. Custom cakes and cookies require skill, and you won’t find these kind of desserts sitting on a grocery store shelf! When I create cakes & cookies, it literally is art! I don’t see what I do as just “baking”. I create edible art, and it has an emotional impact on my clients when they receive the product. There are times when I have delivered my baked goods and people can’t believe it is cake! It is an awesome feeling to help create memories for my clients. It is the best! I truly thank God for my skills and for putting awesome clients in my path.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Post! Post! Post! and Post! I don’t know if people understand the work that goes into marketing. It is important that you constantly push your product in front of your audience. People eat with their eyes first! It is important to put effort into your posting. Make sure your photography is professional. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it takes some planning to present an eye catching photo. Also, utilize friends! Ask them to post your items as well.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Youtube. Youtube is amazing when it comes to tips and tricks for my craft. I have taken online classes, but my main source of information regarding tips on my attending pop up shops and vendor markets would be Youtube. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to increase your knowledge or skill on your craft. These programs are available to you at little or no charge, so utilize them!

Contact Info:

• Website: 1smartcookietoo.wixsite.com/charitys
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1smartcookietoo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adeliciousworkofart