Meet Jennifer Harding Hill of GŪD Sugar in Kingwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Harding Hill.

Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
She said it had to be epic. The best theme. The best ideas. The best flavors. The best execution. So good that everyone would talk about it for years to come. And it was. My 11 year old needed me to come through for her in a big way and there was no chance I would let her down. The Rockstar Campout was born. We built a runway out of fabric, came up with an amazing tablescape and the most fun take home gifts for her friends that they would use to put on the best fashion show ever. We hired her sister to do hair and makeup and before our very eyes, a whole band of rockstars were born. They partied all night munching on glittery s’mores, the most amazing cake, and laughing until they fell out in their tents, too tired to party for one more second. My girl remains friends with these girls and they are all in high school…still talking about that party. Our family has so many stories like these and soon my friends, Kara and Tamara took notice. They hounded me in the most loving way until I showed up for one of the biggest local holiday markets in our area…and sold out just after lunchtime. The writing was on the wall. The world needed the GŪDs. And who I am to deprive the world?

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The way I see it, the road is as you decide it is. You can focus on the bumps or the long smooth stretches in between. Yesterday I made a new pancake recipe to rouse my sleepy boy after a night out celebrating homecoming. The first batch was so beautiful that I ran up to get the boy and then back down to take a photo of this glorious achievement. All the while, the next batch was burning. Some would call that a fail but I don’t. It was just another opportunity to see things a different way. This is life! The sweet and the sour. The sweet tastes ever so sweet on the tail of sour. Tasting the sour is important. It makes the sweet that much sweeter. Trashed the burned ones and kept right on celebrating that first batch. Born to the youngest optimist on the planet and the most charismatic feel good seeker ever born, I was raised a good deal by my grandparents until Papaw died and left Granny to do the heavy lifting. I remember deciding in the 3rd grade that my life would be different going forward and so it was. I chose the bright side though I wouldn’t become aware of that aspect for a good long while. Taking note of what I saw as success in others and using those things I learned to make my life more of what I wanted every single day. It made no difference to me if no one else noticed my personal growth, I grew all the same and by the diversity of my growing up experiences, I had a great head start.

Please tell us about GŪD Sugar.
Deciding my yoga ministry needed a new name brought GŪD on the scene. GŪD means good and God in Swedish. While I have no evidence of a genetic Swedish connection, I do believe we are all related somehow. I love the idea that God is in there, even if everyone doesn’t see it. And if what I’m aiming at is not good, it’s not a part of my plan. After that first market, I knew the GŪDs were worthy. Having the very best French and Italian macarons is GŪD, yes? Ladies letting me know their birthday cake tasted better than their wedding cake did sounds so right, no? Brides fawning over the execution of their dreams come to life is amazing, hmmm? Throwing the very best personalized parties, obviously. Of course! It’s all GŪD! Seeing the faces and hearing the delighted sounds of celebrations motivates me to give it all for the next. The challenge is half the fun. Learning new techniques to make dreams come true is necessary. Seeing things a different and new way comes naturally. I’ve always been partial to skulls. I choose them for my pants, luggage tag, stickers, all sorts of expressions. It was many years before I realized the draw. You see, I do life with Attention Deficit and Bipolar disorders and I do it really well. The skull reminds me and others that we are all the same on the inside. Human, worthy and yes, GŪD… to the bone. While we are all equally valuable, our tastes vary. That’s where I come in. Whatever GŪDs you choose, it’s the right choice. I use the unique way my brain works to bring your dreams to life.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I get to start over every day and I do! It doesn’t matter how I got here, I’m right where I belong. Sure there are things I could have done or do differently but I try not to spend too much time on what’s behind me. Take what I can from all experiences and run on to the next thing loving as much as I can all along the way. Loving myself, my life, my people, you, your people…I could go on and on, except sushi and green peas. No love for either of those, ever. Ever.

Pricing:

• Cakes start at $6 per serving
• Macarons start at $2 each. 2 doz minimum, please.
• Decorated cookies start at $45/dozen. 2 doz minimum, please.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thegud.life
• Phone: 737.346.6066
• Email: jenniferhill@thegud.life
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/gud.sugar
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/gudsugar
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/gudlifeco

Image Credit:
Jennifer Harding Hill

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