We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sherrie Willis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sherrie below.

Sherrie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I feel like I’m my happiest as a business owner. I’m a stay at home mom and can be there for my son, and fiancé while also doing what I love. It’s definitely a win win for us all. I never have thoughts of wanting a regular job, because I don’t feel like it would fit my lifestyle. Being with my family is most important to me. I’m glad my fiancé put us in a position where me having a 9-5 is an option, and not a must. I’m able to build my business because of that.

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

Hi, I’m Shaie! I’m a home baker, and certified bartender. I love sprinkling a little magic on my clients events to add that extra WOW factor.

I started baking originally back in 2017 and I just wasn’t as in to it as I wanted to be. Fast forward to 2020 when I had my son and the pandemic hit. I was looking for an outlet for my creativity and I started doing cake pops. They were a hit! I played around with a few things after that, cupcakes, letter cakes, etc. And although I maintained a clientele, I still felt like something was missing. I started to focus solely on custom treats, adding pictures and other little things made the difference on how I viewed my work. I still have anxiety and I definitely don’t give myself enough credit when it comes to my work, but one things for sure…I’m ALWAYS going to deliver!

I have my son in the kitchen with me just about every time I do an order. He loves seeing the different molds, fondant, pictures, and all the buttercream his little eyes can handle. He pushes me to keep it going and give it all I’ve got. My fiancé and my dad both, push me in so many ways as well. I always say, they motivate me in ways I don’t think they will ever understand. My cousins and a few friends send post and messages with inspo videos and pictures of different things. I love when I get messages of the most beautiful cupcakes and cakes, and I’m like, “yea, maybe.” Each one of them lets me know how talented I am, and the big things I’m capable of. As I said in my last interview, I stay in my lane, but this last year has taught me I can literally do anything I set my mind too.

I’m most proud that I’ve stuck to it! I didn’t go in with a goal, or my mind set to what I wanted to come from my business, but I stuck to it. I’ve grown, and evolved so much within my business and personal life. I’m more consistent and intentional about everything I do, and everything I put out into the universe. I feel like my confidence shows in my work.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I love this question because I’m always so proud to say how my fiancé listened to me tell him what I wanted, but not really articulating it in a way where I had an actual plan. He took that and ran with it. For our first Valentine’s Day with our baby boy, he gifted me my LLC, from him and our son. I was so full of emotions. There is no, “CAN’T” when it comes to him. If it’s able to be done, he will do it. He goes extra hard for our family! He didn’t put a limit on anything I needed when it came to my business. He funded everything!

My father also has been a huge support when it comes to getting just about anything I need for my business from pop ups, to supplies, etc. Like I said before, they let me know whatever I need, I will have. They’ve both stood on that!

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

I put everything into my work. It doesn’t just look amazing, it taste amazing as well! I feel like that’s what makes it easy for people to share my work on social media, and speak my name up in rooms when I’m not around. I never rush my orders and put a lot of thought into each one, every single time. I thank each and every person that has refereed a friend, or family member to me, reposted my work, or have reached out about orders with no hesitation that I would deliver for their event. They make me relevant, and I’m so appreciative of it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @creationsbyshaiellc
• Other: Email; [email protected]