Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Sims.
Pamela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I love the kitchen. I cooked for my family and baked desserts, with our meals, at least 3 times a week. One of my neighbors found out about my baking and asked me to bake for them on occasion. One Sunday, our Pastor at the time ministered about financial increase. He talked about how God can give you various streams of income, how it can come from various sources one of them being what you love to do. He said, “Think about that thing you love doing.” Immediately, I thought about that I bake cakes and give them away for free! I started just making dinner table cakes and other treats that I remember from my childhood. I knew then I wanted to go back and relive memories of my mom and grandmothers baking for us as kids. My dad was pretty good in the kitchen too. I just want to bring back the sweet memories of childhood again. I never wanted to do custom treats. One year, I made a cake for my daughter’s birthday. Two tiered cake that I sprayed purple and topped with her picture in a cute paper frame. She absolutely loved it. My classmate, Rhonda Robertson, saw it (I posted it on Facebook) and she asked if I’d make one for her daughter and I did.
Today, I look at those pictures and cringe. Lol! Anyway, Rhonda begin to encourage me to develop this potential talent. So, I took a few classes and I learned a lot. I began to follow other custom bakers that I had grown to admire and whose work I found truly inspiring. Over time, my vision for Sweetie’s Treats happened. I was then ready to embrace the idea of doing custom treats. That journey began, and one I thought back to my wedding reception and how the only I enjoyed was being with our families, my groom, and my wedding cake, even though I wasn’t crazy about the design. Nothing that I dreamed of, did I get. So now, my passion, my desire, my goal is to make memories my clients, that they can look back on and smile. When people book their events with me, I want them know this is OUR event now, and it means as much to me as it means to them. And I want the experience with Sweetie’s to be happy, stress free, and memorable.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has not been easy. I’ve experienced everything from people wanting to take credit for where I am, to people wanting to nickel and dime me for my service. I’ve endured some late nights, stress, I’ve invested my soul in this and it has called for some sacrifices. I’ve held on to the fact that where I am, God did this. I’m pretty much self-taught. And when I face any challenge, whether it’s concerning cake designs, business decisions or goals, time, or rest, I go to God and pray for His help. If He gives you something, He’ll anoint you to maintain it. Another thing I hold on to is a circle of “like minded” people. People who dream big, who are focused, ambitious, successful, who think outside the box. You become what you surround yourself with. I see what I want to become in them, they inspire me, a lot of times with their words. Lastly, I know my worth. And I try to be consistent in showing that in my work. I never apologize for my prices, but at times will try to give my clients an experience within their budget if it’s realistic.
Please tell us about Sweetie’s Treats.
Sweetie’s Treats offers custom treats. Cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, dipped treats, cookie cups, jar cakes, etc. But I don’t want you to have beautiful treats, they taste just as great. But I also want to give my clients the best in customer service. I want them to know that their events mean as much to me as it means to them. A lot of my clients become a lot like family to me. There is a degree of professionalism and customer service I believe they deserve. After booking with me, by the month or week of their events, I want my clients to know that they don’t have to worry about what I’m going to bring to the table because they trust that it will be amazing. I love when they give me their vision and tell me to have creative freedom. There are no boundaries! And I love to create. What sets me apart I think is love. I love what I do, I love my clients, and I love making memories.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Omg! The barrier is WOMEN for me! On occasion, I run into some that don’t mind networking to build a business, but not to build relationships. The type of relationships that say, “Here’s my hand, let’s win together.” I hope I do inspire someone who wants to soar, in this field or any other. And if I can reach out my hand to you and push you to do better than me or go farther, I will. I’m not going give you millions, however, you will work for it. Because then you’ll respect the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweeties-treats.com
- Phone: 713-492-1149
- Email: sweetiestreats2@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweetiestreats4u
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweetiestreats4/
- Twitter: @SweetiesTreats2
Image Credit:
Christopher Sims of Re.cord Photography, Carol Koonts of Koonts Photography
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