We recently connected with Jazmine Gantz and have shared our conversation below.
Jazmine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?
I think family businesses are a great idea! It allows for the originators to continue to see the fruits of their labor even long after they’ve stopped working and also leaves room for legacy to be passed on. There are pros and cons to family businesses, however, the joy of seeing a seed planted years ago far outweighs any negative aspects of it. I would definitely want my future children to join my business should it continue. They would have all the skills and know the behind the scenes of the work so it would be a seamless transition. There are stories all over of businesses that were started generations ago and are still going strong because they were passed down to children and grandchildren as the years passed. Longevity is an underrated advantage to success.
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.
I am Jazmine Gantz and I began JazziBakez right in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. My corporate job had sent us home so while I was still working a 9-5, I found myself with a lot of extra time especially since we couldn’t leave the house. I created a banana pudding cupcake, posted it to my Facebook, and the rest is history. For as long as I remember, cooking and baking has been a part of my life. As a little girl, family gatherings, especially holidays were my favorite because it gave me an opportunity to sit in the kitchen with my grandmother while she prepared family favorites. I enjoyed watching her cook the food, but I especially enjoyed watching her prepare the desserts. From cakes to pies and everything in between, I watched and helped her create what would be family traditions for years to come in the form of desserts. As I got older, she passed on some of her most loved dishes to me and taught me to add a little bit of love into each one.
I have always enjoyed baking and although people would suggest and encourage me to do more of it, working full time, being in school pursuing my Doctorate degree, and life in general didn’t allow for it. It wasn’t until things slowed down (I completed my Doctorate degree in public health at the same time the global pandemic hit the nation), that a simple hobby became a business. Hence, JazziBakez was born where we’re adding a little bit of sweetness and a whole lot of love one cupcake at a time. I started out making only cupcakes but over the last 4 years, I have branched out to making so many other treats including cookies, brownies, cakes, chocolate covered treats, cake pops, and so much more.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
When starting my business, all the funding came directly from my personal funds. Because there was no planning put into the “start” of my business, I didn’t need a whole lot of supplies. I was able to use what I had and purchase things here and there as needed. As the demand grew, I was able to use the money I received from my customers to build my supplies and create a stockpile. There was also a local party store going out of business during that time so although I was using my own money, I saved a lot since I was able to purchase a lot of items at a discounted price.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media is probably one of the trickiest parts of being a small business owner. When you are one of thousands that offer the same product or service, it is easy to just get lost in the mix. I first created an Instagram page for my business and then a Facebook page. While my Facebook following is larger, I would say my reach on Instagram has more of an impact. Of course the people you know follow you but as you get your name out there and build a client base, it’s the word of mouth and the tags that build the following. Another thing I have learned is to engage with your audience. Having followers is great but giving them content is even better. They can see what new items you offer or be reminded of things they haven’t seen in a while. That’s what keeps the orders coming in.
Contact Info:
- Website: JazziBakez.com
- Instagram: Jazzi_bakez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jazzibakez1103?mibextid=PtKPJ9