Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Odom.
Jennifer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always loved baking! The week before Valentine’s Day last year, I started watching videos on cookie decorating. I made my son’s class cookies for their party. When I told his teacher about the cookies, she told me that we couldn’t send cookies in unless they were store bought. I was disappointed that all that work went to waste so I posted to my personal Facebook page about my disappointment. A friend of mine said he’d like to buy them from me! I had no intention of selling them, but what else was I going to do with them?
After that, I slowly started trying different designs and people just started loving them and asking for me to start selling them. So I kept practicing and watching videos. Each month I would get more orders to where I eventually had to start turning down some orders.
This is still a hobby for me because I work full time and have three crazy boys so I have to limit the amount of orders I can take. But it gives me something that is for me! Something I enjoy doing for myself and it has helped us take a couple of trips as a family!
I still have a lot of learning to do and I can’t wait!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My cookie journey has been a pretty smooth road. My biggest struggle is balancing my job, my family and the cookies! I would say to someone first starting out to learn from others! Find people to follow who have been through this and offer their advice and wisdom. They’ve been through the hard parts and can offer you ways to avoid that!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Jenn’s Sweet Stuff story. Tell us more about the business.
I make custom decorated sugar cookies. My customers provide me with a theme and ideas of what they’d like and I make that into a cookie! I love adding my personal touch. But my favorite part is the customer’s reaction or review of their cookies!
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I’ve learned everything I know about cookies from Instagram and Youtube. Watching videos of other cookiers. Without them being willing to teach, I wouldn’t be where I am today!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 281-728-0202
- Email: jennssweetstuff@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jennssweetstuff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenns-Sweet-Stuff
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