Happy Friday! I am really really excited to share the first installment of a “Be Brave” series I will be running from time to time. I have so much to say on the topic of being brave that I’m not even sure where to begin. I have, in my own life, experienced quite a few life defining moments that have really taught me the importance of going after your dreams. One of my all time favorite quotes is written on our kitchen chalkboard and reads, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” These words by Henry David Thoreau are a theme in our household. But living out those exact words with intention is not always easy. I love nothing more than finding women who are taking those words to heart and who are being brave in the true sense of it’s meaning. My hope is to share stories of women taking chances. Women going for it. Today I am kicking of this series with the beautiful and talented Shana of Society Sweets. Grab a cup of coffee, get comfy and enjoy. This is Shana’s story.
Polka dots on the inside cake for Shutterfly shoot with Tammy Mitchel
Tell us about your small business
I began baking professionally about a year ago. I have always wanted to start my own business, but honestly I wasn’t quite sure what my passion was. It took me until I was 40 to finally realize I could take my love for baking delicious things and meld it with my interest in marketing those treats to people through social media. I’ve built my small business solely through social media and occasional neighborhood bake sales.
How did you get started?
Baking (and eating) sweets has always been something that I love. My grandmother Jane taught me when I was little to bake cookies and how to freeze dough to share with friends and neighbors and she always let me snitch butterscotch chips from the tin. Because of her, baking became a comfort to me. As an adult I realized that it makes me happy to feed people yummy, pretty things!
Double chocolate birthday cake for Tammy’s birthday
Did you face any obstacles? If so, how did you overcome them?
My biggest obstacle to overcome was my own fear. Before starting my business I worried for months if I would be good enough, if my desserts would taste right, if people would be willing to pay for them, if I could make them look good on social media, etc.; on and on and on went my list of reasons why I shouldn’t try. The way I overcame them was I decided to just lay all of those fears out there to my college-aged daughters. I distinctly remember laying out my plan to post my first dessert photo a week from then. One of my daughters said, “Just do it right now. Don’t wait anymore.” It resonated in me. What was I waiting for? I got off the phone, posted my first picture, announced my first bake sale and never looked back.
New Year’s Cake 2015
What does being brave mean to you?
Years ago, when I was going through something really difficult, my sister sent me a two word text that changed my life. It said, “Be brave.” To me, being brave means giving yourself permission to not be held back anymore. Being brave means choosing to believe that you can accomplish what you set out to do, or even just accomplish the trying part. I don’t limit myself anymore. If I want to do something now I just go for it.
What advice would you give to other women who might want to start their own business?
I would tell them to do what they’re passionate about and to be authentic to their vision. In my baking business I try to concentrate on doing what I love and what I’m good at. If people want a fancy fondant wedding cake, I’m not your girl. I have a certain style and voice and I am happiest and most successful when I stay true to that. My style is more perfectly imperfect than anything else.
honey bee cake for teddy bear themed first birthday party
I would also recommend collaborating with like minded business people. I’ve found other creative people in related businesses that I not only work with, but who actually inspire me. They suggest a theme for an event or shoot and they trust me to create desserts that will enhance what they do in the planning, floral, photography aspect of that event. It’s a wonderful thing to surround yourself with other passionate vendors.
Mystery sugar cookies for Nancy Drew/detective themed party
What does your dream day entail?
My dream day would be spending time with the people I love. We would eat, nap in the sun in Laguna, eat some more and then I’d end the day with a warm bath and a good night’s sleep. These are the things I love to do the most.
Teddy bear cookies for teddy bear themed first birthday party
Tell us three things people would be surprised to learn about you:
First, I’m not professionally trained. I bake from the heart, and one of the best parts of my job is when a client gives me the freedom to do what I think best suits the event. Second, I bake out of a very small kitchen. It has it’s challenges, but my husband is an incredible dishwasher so we somehow make it work together! Third, I spent most of my adult life up to about year or two ago thinking I somehow didn’t have passion and talents. I’ve realized we all have those gifts. We just need to be willing to figure out what those are for us individually, move past our own limitations and get to work.
Shana at a french patisserie themed birthday, teaching girls to bake
photos via Pink Peppermint Prints
Shana, I just love your story and am so impressed and inspired with the beautiful business you have created. I know you will continue to do amazing things.
Shana’s website: Society Sweets
Do you know any brave women who should tell their story? If so, shoot me an email with “be brave” in the subject line. And to kick off this series Shana is giving one lucky reader this beautiful “Be Brave” gold foil print. Just leave a comment sharing how Shana has inspired you. A winner will be announced next Friday. This beautiful print is from Lindsay over at Always Lou!
And if you’re interested in submitting your space for the Just Four Things makeover, make sure you do so by tomorrow!!!
I think it’s wonderful that Shana didn’t let her fears get the best of her. We should all admire the courage that comes from her willingness to ‘try’, even if our attempts our unsuccessful. I’ve been tossing around the idea of writing a book for years, but I second guess myself all the time. Am I good enough? Do I have what it takes? Do I have the time? Don’t I already have a real job?? This post was inspiring–and I love sweets!
Katherine I think we all do that. I know I do with different dreams and aspirations. Love Shana’s story. Start writing that book, my friend!!!! No time like the present.
I like that she just went for it and found her passion, despite having thought that she didn’t have one. The cakes are beautiful!
I agree. I love that she has truly grown into something she loves. She is so so talented.
I’m just starting out with my own dessert business and Shana’s article definitely inspired me!
Oh that’s amazing. Well good luck to you in your venture. Way to be brave.
Wow reading this really inspired me, and made me want to eat all of Shana’s cakes! They look absolutely delicious!!
Right?! So delicious. She is quite talented and can bake like nobody’s business! Have a great evening. Erin.
If your DREAM doesn’t scare you, it isn’t BIG enough!
I think you’re on to something. It is true. . . the more we push ourselves the more we discover what we can do, right?
This is a wonderful series. Shana’s story is a touching example of women being brave. Her honesty about living her first 40 years thinking she had no talent or gift really speaks volumes to how our fears can hold us back, and how just doing it despite them is so freeing. Such an empowering story for us all.
I could not agree more Eileen. And I love that she was willing to admit that, too. So inspiring. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend.
Shana’s bravery in putting her creative beautiful baked goods out there for us all to admire and enjoy is very inspiring! I loved her intergenerational story where her Grandma Jane shared with her the love of baking and then her daughter gave her that extra spark to just put it out there. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Tanya. I am so happy to share Shana’s story. It really is empowering. And she is just the sweetest woman. Truly happy and inspired by here.
What a beautiful story! I think most of us grow up with encouraging parents who numerous times have told us “you can do anything you put your mind to”, but not many of us truly believe it. I admire Shana for being brave, and taking that step. You can’t fail unless you try! Our oldest quit her good paying job that she had right out of college to pursue her passion for teaching. This August she will enter her 3rd year of teaching high school (special education/sciences), and will now also get to coach cheerleading, something else she has been very passionate about. It is nice to see others reach for a dream, and accomplish it.
Love the interview, very inspirational! Quick question, probably more for Shana though, what kind of business licenses did she need to sell food in California? I’m just starting to research this myself.
I am super inspired by Shana! I just recently moved from my home state of NJ to Florida while also pursuing my dreams of performing. I can totally relate to the fears and feelings of not having anything to offer. That ordinary feeling is just fear in the way of our dreams. Needed to hear it from someone other than myself. Time to be brave! 🙂
This is so inspiring – especially as I sit pondering over my first business idea… And I’m also terrified!!
Thank you x
I love this! What a great story. And a great series!
I think what resonated with me most is that her dream evolved. It wasn’t something she just knew her whole life, but a realization that came to her over the years. I think some people get hung up on the idea that a dream has to be something you have always wanted to do, when sometimes, it’s something that you decide to do and then just do it (and not wait a week to post :)).
“Third, I spent most of my adult life up to about year or two ago thinking I somehow didn’t have passion and talents? I’ve realized we all have those gifts.”
THIS quote is so inspiring to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you Shana for putting into words what I have been feeling but couldn’t quite put my finger on and didn’t think other people were dealing with. I am mediocre at tons of things but have been unable to find my true passion and talent as of yet. I’m so pleased that you have now…. and yours is absolutely beautiful!