Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Terry.
Renee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
While on break from college, I found a summer job at a local grocery store in the bakery department. Because of my artistic ability, I took it upon myself to play around with the piping tips and see what they each did. From there I tried my hand at decorating cakes. I watched multiple youtube videos to learn different techniques and eventually grew and expanded my skills landing myself a job at a local custom cakery where I continued to learn and grow.
About 3 years after becoming a cake artist at this cakery, I married my husband. We then had my son, and the thought of going back to work petrified me. So while on maternity leave, I made the scariest decision and quit my job to start Sweet Cheeks! I broadened my artistry and taught myself how to decorate custom cookies which have quickly grown to be my biggest and best sellers.
Today, I work from home making a custom cake and cookie creations while also raising our 3-year-old son.
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?
It has definitely not been the smoothest of roads. When I first began my business, I was living in a small apartment. My parents were gracious enough to allow me to work out of their kitchen. To do that meant I had to get myself and my infant son ready every morning to spend the day at my parents home. They worked every day, so in addition to baking cakes all day, I was also trying to care for my son.
There were absolutely some days where he was cranky and needed more of my attention I would think to myself “I can’t do this, there’s no way I can keep doing this”. But I persisted with the support of my husband and my family. There were many nights I had to have my husband pick up our son from my parents home while I worked until 2 am to finish my orders. In fact, most nights my bedtime is 1am-2am to make sure all of my orders are completed on time.
As hard as this has all been, I’m reminded on those late nights of how grateful I am for the amount of support I have from my family. I am also extremely grateful for my customers that make my late nights possible, because, without them, my business would not be as successful as it’s been!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sweet Cheeks by Renee – what should we know?
I specialize in buttercream, all occasion cakes and custom decorated cookies. I gained a love for custom cookies after making cookies for the cast of Sons of Anarchy when I worked for the other cakery. After making those cookies and discovering I had a knack for decorating cookies as well, I learned all I could about it. I tested multiple cookies and royal icing recipes.
Now, almost 4 years later, I tend to have more custom cookie orders than cake orders. I love making wedding cakes and also cookies for wedding favors, those have quickly become very popular. I also teach cookie and cake decorating classes. I host classes at my home, and I also travel to customers’ homes and teach classes there. These are a lot of fun because the customers usually have appetizers, drinks and learn how to decorate cookies with the theme of their choice.
I am proud that I am able to provide as many custom designs for my customers as possible, I try hard not to repeat too many designs and I make sure to give as much attention to each and every customer that orders from me. All of my work is made 100% by me. So when you order your wedding cake, shower cake or custom cookies from me, you can be sure that not only will you talk to me directly, but I will be the only one that makes your order to completion.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Because I am my only employee, you will only deal with me from start to finish. I am the person you order your cake or cookies from, I am the one who bakes and decorates them and I am the one who hands off your order to you. I feel like this allows for less room for error, it makes me approachable and relatable.
I have many repeat customers who I can have great conversations with when they pick up their orders. I know about their families and stories, and they know about mine. As busy as I get, every customer is ensured that their orders are paid special attention to.
Pricing:
- Custom cookies start at $48 per dozen
Contact Info:
- Website: Sweetcheeksbyrenee.com
- Phone: 508-451-8099
- Email: sweetcheeksbyrenee@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/sweetcheeksbyrenee
- Facebook: Facebook.com/sweetcheeksbyrenee
Image Credit:
Sarah Coon from Sadie Anne Photography
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