Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Thuy (it is pronounced Twee) Tracy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Thuy (it is pronounced Twee) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to provide the highest and simplest quality allergen friendly desserts and baked goods to everyone in my community and to allow them to feel included. For me, cakes, desserts and treats should be something that everyone can enjoy, all the time, at any event or party.

I am passionate about serving the food allergy community, our community. Living with food allergies is tough on kids and and even adults. By creating and offering safe allergen friendly treats, I am advocating for inclusion for all and show them that they don’t have to live without, and yes they can eat “normal” treats just like their friends and family.

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 a self-taught baker but most importantly a food allergy mom. When my son, Tommy, was diagnosed at a young age, with a severe allergy to tree nuts and peanuts, I knew that I had to find a way to make his food safe. Life events and celebrations were a challenge as I experimented in the kitchen in creating recipes to make cakes and other baked goods, safe and delicious for my son to enjoy and feel included at birthday and holiday parties and feel normal like his friends and family. When my middle child was born, Talia, was diagnosed at 12 months old with allergies to egg, dairy and peanuts. I began baking more often because I didn’t want my children to feel excluded about certain treats that they couldn’t have while their friends and family could. Living with food allergies, one cannot simply stop by a bakery or grocery store to buy a donut, cupcake or brownie due to risks of allergens and cross contamination of ingredients with other baked goods that are made in the same facility with the same tools. During all my time in the kitchen, prepping and baking treats for my children to bring to their friends’ parties, it made me wonder if other food allergy families had the same problems like us. My desire to make safe cakes and treats for my community with food allergies arose from the lack of options available to food allergy families. I am cognizant of all my ingredients I use for all my recipes. I do my research, I contact food companies by telephone or emails to inquire about their cleaning protocols and whether or not allergens are found or used within their facilities or on shared lines. I am most proud of the knowledge I have about the ingredients and items that gets put into everything that I bake to keep all my customers safe by providing them with a safe and delicious dessert. My bakery’s name comes from the fact that I do create sweet treats for everyone and I pride myself in being open and honest with customers about every ingredient that I use and list in our communication before I begin baking for them. I am truthful with my answers to their questions about ingredients, cleaning protocols in my kitchen, safety of the products utilized. I am proud to share that I do my best to accommodate every individual’s allergies. If a particular customer shares that he/she has an allergy to sunflower oil and pea protein, I make sure I use alternatives that do not contain those specific allergens in order for my customer to enjoy their special treat with no fear or exclusion. I believe that I have and will continue to treat all my customers like they are my own family, my own children. I am proud to be the owner and baker of The Sweet Truth.

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

I truly believe in treating everyone the way that I wish to be treated. I listen to my customers when they share about their food allergy journeys, struggles, what they need in a cake (whether it is a certain cake flavor, allergens that they need to avoid, what their cake or dessert needs to look like according to their vision, etc). I do my best to create the best tasting dessert my customers ask for and they pass along my name and information to their friends and family. Customers will show off what I have baked to their friends and family, taste what I’ve made and reach out to place new orders due to the fact that they’ve already tasted and enjoyed what they’ve experienced at a certain event/party. This is how I’ve built my business name and reputation within my market and community.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I store all my customers’ contact information in my database, including their food allergies, likes, dislikes in desserts. When they reach out to place orders in the future, I remember their information, and always ask for updates to their allergies and if there is something new that I need to be aware of before I begin baking. I also offer free samples during certain times of the year, usually around the holidays. I also offer special treats as a surprise when my customers do place orders on a regular basis , as my way to show how much I appreciate their support for my small business and to thank them for their loyalty as my regular and consistent customers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sweet_truth_by_thuy
• Facebook: fb.me/thesweettruthbythuy

Image Credits
Tommy Tracy Talia Tracy Torah Tracy