From Wholesale Bakery to Helping Moms

Becoming an entrepreneur was something I always felt like was a given.

When I was 9 my parents opened up a vocational school, that is where it all began. I watched them passionately go after their dreams with everything they had. I saw the good, the bad and the ugly. We helped or hung out most evenings and weekends as they quickly grew their business. Then graduation time came (for their school) and it solidify my dream to open a business too. I watched hundreds of people walking across the stage smiling, crying, pumping their fists with complete joy that they had completed school. We heard stories over and over how their lives were changed forever by the staff, teachers and support they received. My parents built that, talk about inspiring.

I left for college knowing I would one day start a business, but I was not sure what it would look like. I took a part time job, for fun, at a coffeehouse and feel in love. From that moment everything I did was to get me to the goal of opening my own. I finished my Bachelors in Business, got my culinary degree (from my parents school) and worked any where I could to get more experience.

After I graduated, my parents and I actively began looking for and putting offers in on coffeehouses for sale. Nothing worked out. I was heart broken, but also held off on searching more after meeting my husband. I think love does this, it makes you realize life can lead you in different directions and that is ok too.

I got a corporate job, which I hated and realized running my own business is what I wanted/needed. I craved the community, people knowing your name and the warm cozy feeling you get outside of the corporate world. I got my MBA and with my, then boyfriends, support went back to managing a coffee shop. Don’t get me wrong I still planned to open a coffee house and my husband was/is in full support, but the timing was not right. (He even mentioned it in his vows! Yeah, he is super sweet and so supportive.)

We decided to start training and planning an epic 1 year trip before we settled down, started my business and had a family. We were going to backpack and rock climb across the country and we could not be more excited, until I got injured. This was not just a set back, it was a stupid small injury that would not heal. I was forced me to quit my job and sit on the couch for 6 months. It was a tough time in my life and a lot of my dreams and goals were questioned.

Fast forward a year, we moved to San Diego to settle down. I began helping people with business plans while writing my own. We did not want to take the risk of a full blown coffee house, yet, so I started selling baked goods at farmers markets. (I ended up focusing on allergen free, due to new food sensitivities. Looking back I would have chosen differently.) It was an amazing experience and I ended up meeting someone who helped me take my dream in a new direction. I was all of the sudden running a wholesale bakery. I got a co-packer, distributor and started selling my frozen cookie dough in local grocery stores. I was in 18 when my son was born and I had a major awe hah moment.

I was not passionate about this business and I wanted to shut it down. As a new mom all my emotions were running crazily, but I felt more clear than ever. I was running my business while home with my son and had no motivation to make it work. I realized that I had handed over what I loved the most for others to do. I was no longer baking or even talking to customers, all I did was paperwork. I was heartbroken and felt guilty, but knew I needed to shut the doors to my company.

I knew I wanted to run my own business still, but I also knew I wanted to be home with my son, a coffee house at this time in my life was off the table.

That is when I realized I wanted to help other moms like me. I wanted to help you realized what it was your truly wanted out of life. Help others design a business you love that fits the life you want.

Now here we are. The road has not been easy. My plans and goals have changed more times than I had ever imagined, but that is life. I have new big goals and dreams and still plan to one day open my coffeehouse, I just had to realize that I needed to do what I loved and was right for me now and that will change. Be open and honest with yourself and go after your dreams.

You do not have to wait, figure out what you want, make a plan and go after it.