Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Siegele. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

The craziest thing that’s ever happened in my business started with an Instagram DM that I almost deleted.

One random afternoon, buried between customer inquiries I saw a message from someone claiming to be a talent scout for the Food Network.

My first thought?
Absolutely not. This is a scam.

I run a cookie business from home. I’m a one-woman show. I decorate at my kitchen table between school drop-offs and bedtime routines. National television felt… laughable. So I ignored it.

But my husband and a friend encouraged me to at least check into it.

So I responded.

That single reply turned into phone interviews. Then more phone interviews. Then video interviews. Then baking challenges filmed in my own kitchen as part of the audition process. Every step felt like, Surely this is where they realize I’m not cut out for this.

And then they booked me a flight to LA.

I remember walking onto set and the feeling was surreal. Bright lights. Cameras. Timers counting down. Judges watching your every move. It was so far outside my comfort zone I was terrified. Imposter syndrome on full blast. I had never worked under time limits like that. I had never built elaborate 3D cookie structures. I had never baked in a competitive environment. My business was precision, planning, and polish, not speed and chaos.

But because of this experience, I learned more than I had in years of running my business. I fell in love with recipe development. I started experimenting with structural cookies and 3D builds. I collaborated with other incredibly talented bakers and realized how much I thrive in creative community.

That DM, the one I almost deleted, unlocked skills I didn’t even know I had. It stretched me. It humbled me. It made me better.

Honestly? I don’t think I’d be able to run my business full-time today without that experience. It forced me to level up. It expanded my vision for what my cookie work could become. It helped me think bigger, not just about decorating, but about scaling, content creation, and new revenue streams I never would have considered.

Entrepreneurship is wild like that.

Sometimes the craziest thing that happens to you isn’t a disaster, it’s an opportunity that scares you so much you almost miss it.

Sara, 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?

I’m the owner and decorator behind Fountain City Sweets, a luxury custom sugar cookie business based in Kansas City. Before cookies, I was a pediatric occupational therapist. I left my career in 2017 to stay home with my oldest son, and in those early years of full-time motherhood (and watching my friend’s children), I realized I had quietly lost a piece of myself creatively.

Everything changed when a neighbor invited us over to decorate Halloween cookies and introduced me to royal icing. I was instantly hooked. What started as a creative outlet “just for me” quickly became something much bigger. The more I practiced, the more I fell in love with the process, the precision, the creativity, the challenge of turning a simple cookie into edible art.

Today, I create highly detailed, custom-designed sugar cookies for events, brands, and celebrations. Each set is tailored to the client, inspired by invitations, mood boards, décor, nature, and personal details that make the designs feel thoughtful and cohesive. I solve the problem of “forgettable desserts” by creating statement pieces that double as décor and leave a lasting impression.

What sets me apart is my willingness to push myself creatively. I don’t box myself into one signature style. I get excited by a challenge. If a client brings me an idea that stretches me into something new, that’s where I do my best work. I’m constantly learning new techniques and evolving.

I’m most proud of how this business grew organically from community support. What began as a hobby became a full-fledged business because people believed in me and shared my work. I’ve found not only a global cookie community, but also an incredible network of creatives here in Kansas City who have made this journey deeply meaningful.

Behind the scenes, there are late nights, early mornings, and a constant juggle between family and business. I’m incredibly grateful for my husband’s steady encouragement and for the supporters who continue to cheer me on.

At its core, Fountain City Sweets is about connection-creating beautiful, intentional pieces that help people celebrate well. And I’m so excited to keep growing, evolving, and sharing that journey.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Consistency. In both my work and how I show up.

I work incredibly hard to give every client my very best. I’m not perfect. I make mistakes like anyone, but I’m sincere. I genuinely care about the experience and the final product, and I think people can feel that.

I’m personable and transparent throughout the process. I want my clients to feel seen and heard, not like they’re just placing an order. I involve them in the creative journey while also letting them get to know me and my personality. It becomes collaborative rather than transactional.

I’m not the cheapest option in the area, and there are many talented artists here. But clients come back because the cookies are beautiful, they taste amazing, and they feel personally connected to what we create together. That combination of quality, care, and authenticity has been the foundation of my reputation.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that illustrates my resilience isn’t a finished chapter, it’s the season I’m in right now.

For years, I’ve been building my cookie business in the margins of motherhood; late nights, early mornings, squeezing in orders between school drop-offs and bedtime routines. There were (and still are) moments of exhaustion and doubt, wondering if I can sustainably grow this without burning out.

Now, I’m in a transition. The kids are almost all in school, and for the first time I’ll be able to step into this business in a truly “full-time” way. I’m beginning to hire help on the administrative side so I can focus on the creative and skill-driven parts of the business, the areas that actually allow me to scale. That shift alone requires trust, growth, and a willingness to let go of control.

I’m still learning. I’m still figuring out what balance looks like. The sweet spot is somewhere between giving my all and protecting my sanity. This isn’t a get-rich-quick industry. Success for me isn’t measured purely by income. It’s measured by being able to provide for my family, be present before and after school, feel creatively fulfilled, and genuinely enjoy what I do.

I love being my own boss because it allows flexibility when my family needs me. And I’ve learned that resilience isn’t a single dramatic moment, it’s fluid. It’s adjusting, recalibrating, and continuing forward even when you don’t have everything figured out.

For me, resilience simply means: keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fountaincitysweets.com
• Instagram: fountaincitysweets
• Facebook: fountaincitysweets

Image Credits

Untamed Wild Photography