We recently connected with Lisa Mermella and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Lisa’s Sugar Fix is a one woman show with everything being homemade on demand. Each day we slowly grow! We are at a lovely pace for a small business which I’m incredibly thankful for. The long term goal, is to one day have a bakery! Why is this a mission though? I don’t want to be any bakery or any type of boss. I believe in taking care of my future employees – I want them to enjoy coming to work and to create a safe environment for not only them but the customers that come on in. Having a safe work environment is so important to me, because someone that battles mental health, I personally cannot handle a “normal” job – I would want my collies to feel heard especially when it comes to not feeling well, or if they’re mentally or physically hurting. I want the customers to feel welcomed and acknowledged each time they come in and in hopes create a nice thought of my future bakery in their mind.

Lisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Lisa Mermella, I’m 23 years old, and from San Antonio, Texas. I currently live in a small town in Devine, TX! I am the small business owner of Lisa’s Sugar Fix. The question is, why did I create my small business? Easy, Mental Health. Growing up was rough as someone who is diagnosed with Bi Polar 2. I had a great support system, but dealing with mental health as young as 12 years old – I spent most of my teen years figuring myself out rather than getting mentally better. Now why is this relevant? With figuring myself out, I didn’t put the time to learn healthy coping skills or to keep my mind occupied from dark thoughts. I just kinda dealt with it. As soon as I was 17 I wanted help, I wanted to get better so we are on the road of improving. Right when I got help, it’s was like a flip switch of processing. One day I thought to myself “ I’m going to make homemade cookies for the first time “ as I was creating my thoughts were.. “Wow, this is so therapeutic and calming for me.” I then started baking more and more and more, giving the cookies to my friends and them saying they’re amazing. Within that time everyone would say “you need to sell these!” Which then sparked my interest in becoming something!

Lisa’s Sugar Fix was then created in September 2020. As months go on I add new items each time! I’m happy to say everything I create is homemade including my icings for some products I create! I make specifically homemade cookies and brownies. From chocolate chip cookies, to red velvet, to oatmeal cream pies!
I happen to do ALL this on my own. From creating online flyers, menus, to getting back to people, baking, packaging, marketing. All of it! Which is so fun!
The baking community can be very competitive. I personally don’t see others as competition, because I believe we can all do great. We are all here to win – we all have something that makes us different and special around our business!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building a social media following around my business is tough – but it’s possible! My advice is, advertise. Advertise like crazy, shoot even spam your content! People WILL see it, and the more they see it the more they become interested. Even buying online ads for Facebook or Instagram!

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Lisa’s Sugar Fix is my full time job! I am order based, but do local farmers markets 2-3x a month. Doing farmers markets has helped so much with business! It’s rewarding, because I have locals that sometimes come to these markets and always say “I’m here just for you” and that makes me feel so special! I’m a huge believer of “Do what makes you happy” so putting the time and dedication towards my business is worth it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: LisasSugarFix
• Facebook: Lisa’s Sugar Fix