We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Snyder a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sara, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
I have always baked desserts from the time I was a kid for those around me. I didn’t have my first client until Covid started and my son started school. He has a peanut allergy and one of the teachers in his school knew I baked and prepared items safe from peanuts, as her son also had a peanut allergy. She asked if I would bake and decorate something peanut free for her son’s birthday and the rest fell into place. She paid me my first business dollar and has been a loyal customer through the transition from hobby baker through full on business owner and has referred many clients to me since then.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
It all began with boredom.
Baking and edible design was always a hobby. It was a way to share a piece of myself with my friends and family. It was a stress reliever.
Then Covid hit. I was stuck in my house with the same routine, day in, day out. Until I was asked to make a birthday cake for a local teacher’s son. You see she and I had something in common. Our sons had severe peanut allergies and finding safe and delicious desserts in the box stores were hard to come by. She gave me the ideas but ultimately the creative freedom was in my hands. I baked and iced and molded and had fun. After that cake I was asked to make another, then I had another request followed by another. Soon my hobby turned into a full-fledged, part-time job, with very little pay I might add. But it brought me the most immense joy. To somehow be a part of so many celebrations over the years, has made the late hours worth it.
Now, this hobby may be something more.
This hobby has become more than baking, more than eating. It has become art. It has become joy. It has become all the beauty I see in the world.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Make it personal. I dedicate my attention to each customer by providing cutting guides, personalized notes celebrating their birthday, anniversary, or celebration, and taking the time to listen to their own inspiration.
It is with this focus and attention that my returning business from current clients is at 90% and my referrals are constantly climbing. I’m at a point where my calendar is booked through the year by July and I’m having to turn people down and refer them to other local bakers.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
At the birth of my business idea, my sister purchased a book for me, “Mind Your Business” which I have used as an ongoing tool to develop my business plan, process change and growth, and set goals for myself. I’ve also used my local chamber and Small Business Development Center to process my business plan and ideas and determine what my next steps are.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarassweeties.com.
- Instagram: @saras_sweeties
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarassweetiesbakery
- Other: TikTok: saras_sweeties
Image Credits
Photos taken by me, Sara Snyder