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

Alright, Crystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

I would say my favorite part about my business are my classes. I am completely self taught. I have always loved to bake and tried many things as a very young child. When I decided to make royal iced sugar cookies for the first time seven years ago, I spent a good solid year learning all that I could. I feel I am a wealth of knowledge now and actively seek to pass that onto my customers whether they want to start their own business or simply make treats for themselves, friends, and family. My favorite thing to give my customers is confidence in themselves. For my classes, the typical statement when they see the design is “I will never be able to make those.” When the class is over, they are always so proud of themselves. That is truly one of the most precious and satisfying gifts of my busiiness.

Crystal, 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?

My name is Crystal Kluge, and I am the owner of AlexCole Edible Art. My business is named after my two children, Alex and Nicole. About seven years ago, I decided at random to bake birthday cookies for Nicole’s class. I was quite proud of my creations and that winter decided to bake cookies for everyone I knew. I spent 18 hours a day for seven solid days creating all that I could. I always seek to have a creative outlet and I knew this would be the perfect one to begin a business with. I began taking custom cookies orders and eventually started teaching classes. I would say what I am most proud of myself in my business is the confidence I carry with my work and how I can add smiles on so many others faces with my creations.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I left my accounting career 19 years ago to be a stay-at-home mom. I admittedly always desired a career but also wanted to be there for my babies as they grew up. I found several work-at-home jobs, got little side professional licenses, and started little businesses here and there. My cookie business has by far been my longest running self-managed company but it has had to take the back seat many times over the course of seven years as my kids grew. I recently sent my son to college in another state and my daughter is a sophomore in high school. With more time on my hands, I am grateful that I have my little business to focus on and decide where to take it from here.

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

I have to say I am not a fan of social media. I find it visually as a negative space as so many see your life as so happy and perfect all the time. I have to actively post 24/7 to gain followers, and it can truly become a all day, every day job. Even when I am on vacation I am posting. I have had people get angry at me because they message me saying “you said you were not working this week.” It can be very challenging. However, on a plus side it is a prime space to advertise for free which I am truly grateful for. So it’s kind of a catch 22 if you will. I can say it has been my experience that you will rise higher in the algorithms is you devote time daily by posting a few stories a day and engaging with others for a devoted time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AlexColeEdibleArt.com
• Instagram: @AlexColeEdibleArt
• Facebook: @AlexColeEdibleArt

Image Credits
all images are mine