Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Hart.
Carrie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am the owner/operator of Smallcakes Central Houston. My undergraduate degree is in Hotel/Restaurant Management from the University of Houston. I went to graduate school and worked in accounting and finance for more years than I will tell you about.
I saw an ad for Smallcakes franchises while on an airplane and decided to return to what I love, hospitality!
Smallcakes Central Houston is my midlife crisis, my retirement plan, and my baby all in one.
Has it been a smooth road?
Getting started was incredibly difficult. I had major issues with my general contractor and it took more than a year for the store to open. I had to take over the general contractor duties and learned more than I ever thought possible about plumbing, electrical, and safety systems, ADA requirements, and City of Houston inspections.
A few months after I opened, the major grocery store in my strip center closed. The falloff in traffic has made it challenging to draw in new customers.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Once Smallcakes Central Houston was open, the larger community was so gracious and welcoming. My neighbors came by for cupcakes and let me display my little cupcake delights to their customers for special events!
My loyal customers continue to tell their friends and coworkers about my cupcakes, and if they are very lucky, my customers will bring some home or to the office!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
So many people warned me that the city inspectors were difficult to work with. I DID NOT find that to be the case at all! Every inspector answered my questions and even gave me advice on how to solve the problem they noticed. The inspection process was incredibly smooth.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2055 Westheimer, suite 115
Houston, Texas 77098 - Website: Smallcakescentralhouston.com
- Phone: 713-253-3804
- Email: carriehart2000@yahoo.com
Image Credit:
Main Street Hub and Houston Boss Babes
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