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

Octavia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful in the world today, especially as an African American woman, there has to be first and foremost faith. To know that what God has for you will be for you through good and bad. Secondly, having strength and confidence in all you do. Even when there are bad days. Knowing they are temporary and that they will pass. Believing in yourself and always aiming high. Never wanting perfection but wanting to be better than you were yesterday.

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 in African American woman who lives in Nevada. I am a teacher, and I am the only African American teacher in this area that I live in. I am the only African American Baker in my city who is cottage licensed as well as small business licensed, and I’ve been doing this since 2013. I am a mother of two amazing young adults. I have two master’s degrees in education, I focus on being a good human to everyone. By no means am I a perfect person, as there is no such thing as perfection. I aim higher than I did the day before. When it comes to customers, I try to do my best to give them memories that will last forever through edible treats. What sets me apart from others that are bakers in my area is that I am also an artist. I’ve been drawing since I was two and everything that I make and create I make sure that I put my all into it. I don’t cut corners, and I ensure that customers get the best creations.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner is my best friend. Her name is Sarah. We met in England in 2013. What connected our friendship was we were at an exercise class and her heart stopped. It was later told to me that the only reason her heart started beating again was because, I Performed CPR on her. After that, we became very close friends to the point to where we consider each other sister herself and her husband are my children’s godparents, and I am the godmother of her four boys. When I decided to open up my own Home bakery not only did I want it to be something I could leave to my own children, but I want it to be something that represented our friendship sisterhood that we created through a very stressful situation and that is how the name sweet sister’s treats came about because she is, my sister and I create treats.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I think the most successful strategy in building my clientele is ensuring that I am an honest person. Everything that I do I do something I enjoy and memories for someone I let them know they are what they are envisioning for me to for them. My policy building my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetsisterstreats.com
• Facebook: Sweet sisters treats