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

Mai, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

When I first envisioned starting my own micro-bakery, most people around me saw it as something small, like school fundraisers or a few dozen cookies here and there. As a full-time teacher, a single mother, and someone deeply committed to her well-being, even I questioned whether it was truly possible to build and scale a real business.

The startup costs felt overwhelming, almost impossible at the time. I remember sitting with the same questions over and over: Is this worth it? Do I really want this? Am I ready?

And yet, every time, my answer remained the same: yes.

So I chose to trust myself. I took the leap, one of the biggest of my life, much like when I moved to the United States alone at 18. It was uncertain, uncomfortable, and required me to believe in a version of myself I had not fully stepped into yet.

Today, that decision has become the foundation of something real and growing. What once felt impossible is now in motion, and I continue to challenge myself to think bigger, move with intention, and elevate Sweet Moon beyond what I once believed was possible.

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

When people first discover Sweet Moon, they often see it as a cookie business, but to me, it is so much more than that. Sweet Moon was created as a space where comfort, creativity, and intention come together through desserts that feel both nostalgic and elevated.

My journey into baking started as something deeply personal. As a full-time teacher and a single mother, I was constantly pouring into others, and baking became my way of slowing down and reconnecting with myself. What began as a form of self-care quickly turned into something I wanted to share. I realized that the same warmth and joy I felt in those quiet moments could be experienced by others through my creations.

What makes Sweet Moon unique is the way I approach flavors and experience. I specialize in gourmet stuffed cookies and specialty desserts that are inspired by global flavors and modern trends, such as pistachio butter, matcha, cookie butter, and rich chocolate combinations. Each product is intentionally crafted, not just for taste, but for texture, balance, and visual appeal. I want every bite to feel indulgent, memorable, and worth slowing down for.

Beyond the products themselves, I believe Sweet Moon solves a deeper need. In a fast-paced world, people are craving moments of comfort, connection, and small luxuries. My desserts are designed to offer exactly that, whether it is through a beautifully packaged box, a surprise flavor combination, or simply a treat that feels like a reward at the end of a long day.

What truly sets me apart is the heart behind the brand. I am building Sweet Moon while balancing a full life, and that intention is reflected in everything I create. I am not just selling cookies. I am creating an experience rooted in care, detail, and authenticity. From the way I design my menus to the way I engage with my community, every part of the brand is thoughtfully curated.

What I am most proud of is not just the growth of the business, but the way it has allowed me to step into a more expansive version of myself. I have taken something that started quietly in my kitchen and turned it into something that connects with people in a meaningful way.

For anyone discovering Sweet Moon, I want them to know that this brand is built with intention. Every flavor, every detail, and every interaction is created with care. My goal is not just to grow, but to continue evolving, pushing creative boundaries, and offering something that feels both special and genuine.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that I needed to be fully ready before I could begin.

For a long time, I carried quiet limitations within myself. I believed that building something meaningful required perfect timing, complete confidence, and certainty in the outcome. As someone balancing a full-time career, motherhood, and personal responsibilities, it felt easier to stay within what was realistic and comfortable rather than step into what felt possible.

Starting Sweet Moon challenged all of that.

I realized very quickly that those beliefs were not facts, but stories I had outgrown. In order to move forward, I had to turn inward and do the deeper work. I began prioritizing stillness through meditation, creating space to reflect through journaling, and consistently affirming the vision I had for my life and my business. It was not just about building a brand, but about rebuilding the way I saw myself.

Through that process, I learned that growth does not come from waiting until you feel ready. It comes from choosing to trust yourself before you have proof.

Unlearning those limiting beliefs has been one of the most transformative parts of my journey. It allowed me to step into uncertainty with clarity, and to build Sweet Moon from a place of intention rather than fear.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience, for me, has looked less like one defining moment and more like a series of quiet decisions to keep going.

In the early stages of building Sweet Moon, I applied to multiple large markets with so much hope, only to find myself placed on waitlists again and again. At first, it felt discouraging. There is a moment when you think you are about to be given an opportunity, and then you are asked to wait instead.

But instead of taking that as rejection, I chose to see it as redirection.

I continued applying, refining my approach, and even showing up to markets in person to connect directly with organizers. I stayed visible, persistent, and open to opportunity.

There were also days when I showed up fully prepared, with hundreds of cookies, and only sold a small portion. Packing up at the end of those markets was not easy. But instead of seeing it as a loss, I chose to give. I shared those extra cookies with people in the community, especially those who needed it most.

That shift in perspective changed everything for me.

Resilience became less about outcomes and more about who I chose to be in the process. Whether I was selling out or starting over, I remained committed to my vision.

Looking back, those moments taught me that progress is not always visible right away. Sometimes it looks like showing up, staying grounded in your purpose, and continuing forward with faith, even when the results have not caught up yet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetmooncookie.com
• Instagram: @sweet_moon_tampa
• Facebook: @sweetmoontampa

Image Credits

Tyson