We recently connected with Judit Reding and have shared our conversation below.

Judit, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

From the moment my oldest was about to turn one, I knew I wanted to make cookies for her birthday party. I taught myself the art of cookie decorating and loved it. Crafting became a passion, and I quickly became adept at it.

A couple of years later, when my twins were born, I had to quit my job as an architect due to a difficult pregnancy. My husband’s job required him to travel frequently and for long periods, so I knew I couldn’t return to work full-time. That’s when I started selling decorated cookies. I needed a creative outlet, and I wanted to work while being a mom. The extra income was a godsend.

In 2016, I faced a challenge. I couldn’t find the cookie cutter designs and sizes I was looking for. So, I purchased a 3D printer. My husband is an engineer, and with his help, we put the printer together. I designed the cutters, and he was in charge of printing them. I started selling them, and soon my Instagram cookie friends asked where I purchased my blades.

We needed to get a couple of new printers a few months later. By 2019, my husband had quit his job to help me full-time. I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited about what the future holds.

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

I’m Judit, Founder, and Designer at The Sweet Designs. I’m a former architect turned cookie cutter designer, royal icing expert, and cookie decorator with big dreams to create a trendy and curated one-stop shop for cookiers different from what is out there.

I started my business because I needed cookie cutter designs that were easy to decorate yet stylish. Now, my husband and I run a family business that supplies cookie decorating materials such as cutters, stencils, boxes, bags, tags, gel food colors, and more. We aim to simplify the art of cookie decorating for everyone, whether it’s a hobby or a business. Our priority is to brainstorm ideas for decorating and packaging cookies so our clients can focus on what they love the most – decorating those cookies!

On our social media platforms, I provide education on how to use our products by demonstrating how to decorate cookies, giving packaging ideas, and setting trends in the cookie community. On our website, you can find not only great quality products but also pictures that inspire cookiers, with color palettes and decorated cookies.

We are constantly striving to improve not only our products but also the way we educate our clients. Our new blog provides helpful tips and tricks for cookie decoration, and we are always open to feedback from our clients.

As a cookie decorator who has been on a long learning journey, I am passionate about inspiring and assisting others in their cookie-making journey. Owning this amazing shop is a dream come true for me. Despite the long work hours and challenges of being a business owner, it has given me the flexibility to work from home and spend more time with my children. I am extremely grateful and blessed to have brought this business idea to life and provided ample resources for the cookie community. It is exciting to see everything come together.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As someone who finds pleasure in making things easier for people, I take delight in simplifying the art of cookie decorating for both individuals who do it as a hobby and businesses. My approach is to draw inspiration from various sources such as fashion, home decor, art, graphics, and seasonal colors. By doing this, I am able to provide cookie decorating solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to achieve.

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

Social media is constantly evolving. Sometimes it changes so quickly that I struggle to keep up. However, my social media presence has grown steadily, and I have a very kind audience. To succeed on Instagram, I’ve found that a combination of strategy, consistency, and authenticity is key.

When I first started using social media, I took a couple of courses. However, there are some things that I wish I knew when I first started. These things may seem obvious, but they can be overwhelming and hard to see. My suggestion would be to define your target audience, choose the right platforms, plan your content ahead of time, post consistently, engage with your audience, and provide valuable content. When your audience finds your content helpful, they are likelier to engage and share it with others.
Also, our audience very often is a reflection of us, showing kindness and staying positive though your content goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thesweetdesignsshoppe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesweetdesignsshoppe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesweetdesignsshoppe
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSweetDesignsShoppe

Image Credits
Rachel May Photography