Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Hill.
Hi Carolyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My story begins back in my mom’s kitchen, and thinking of this brings a smile to my face. As a kid, I loved helping her cook and bake. Though I grew up in Michigan, my parents were from Alabama, and my mother was a true Southern baker. She rarely followed recipes– just threw in a bit of this and that, always reminding me to add a few cups of love! It felt like magic watching her effortlessly create something delicious from scratch.
I started following in her footsteps during my teenage years (let’s just say I learned a lot about what not to do when baking a cake). I’d bake for my high school fundraisers, and later, after moving to Texas as an adult, I’d whip up treats for company potlucks, friends’ birthdays, and church events. People would often say, “You should open a bakery!” and “Have you thought about doing your own thing?” and a lot of “How much would you charge me to make [their favorite dessert]?”
It wasn’t until I donated tea cakes (a delicious, buttery, cake-like cookie) to my church’s children’s ministry that things really took off. One of the senior ladies said to me, “I thought you were from the North! What do you know about tea cakes?” I politely told her that my parents were born and raised in southern Alabama. Those cookies had my church members calling me “The Tea Cake Lady” for years! Some still do. It’s incredible how those cookies became our best-seller, with new customers often exclaiming, “My grandmother used to make these!” and “I haven’t had these in years.”
Fourteen years ago, I lost my mother to dementia. Some of her last spoken words to me were, “Are you still baking tea cakes for other folks?” Knowing that I can make a person smile with just a little butter, sugar, and flour is an indescribable experience and a gift I’m happy I share with my mother. When baking, it’s like my mother is in the kitchen with me. I can hear her saying, “If the batter spreads too thin, add a few tablespoons of flour.” Sometimes, I ask out loud, “Ma, did I put the baking soda in already?”
From my mother’s voice echoing in my ears to my children’s encouragement and the ongoing support of my community, Sweetly Sweets is truly a family business. My daughter is my business partner, my son keeps me grounded and motivated, and I even collaborate with my sister and niece, who also have their own baking businesses. My dear friends and loved ones have repeatedly connected me to companies, organizations, and individuals who are now regular customers. Even our logo was designed by a talented member of our church family.
It’s not just about baking – it’s about community and spreading joy one sweet treat at a time. And for that, I thank God, my children, my family, my customers, and all those who’ve cheered me on along the way. Leaving my long career in IT behind to pursue this passion was a leap of faith, but every day, I’m grateful for the blessings and the people it’s brought to my life.
Alright, 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?
Honestly, fear has been my biggest challenge. Being in corporate America my entire adult life, I became accustomed to a salary and benefits. When my children were younger, in college, or even starting in their careers, I knew I had to prioritize financial stability and was also not prepared to take time away from supporting them in their education and lives. Well, they are both well into their adulthood, and I finally had to face my real fear: failure.
I know the sweets are good–customer satisfaction was never in question! However, trying to make decisions as a small business was intimidating. I knew how to fulfill orders, but committing more time meant I had to know much more than how to bake. When my daughter, already a successful business owner, agreed to come on board more formally, I was able to proceed enthusiastically, confident that I can focus on what I love (baking) while the more overwhelming aspects of the business–operations, analytics, and marketing–were still being covered. (We have a good thing going, and also appreciate the community’s patience as we work out any kinks in our systems in our growing phase.)
A smaller challenge when I first started to expand my offerings about 10 years ago was that I could make a delicious treat, but I had little experience with decorating. However, I am always looking to improve my work. I took cake decorating classes every Friday evening for a year and still take the occasional class to grow in my craft. This opened doors for me to make custom cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. I am always looking at the latest trends and practicing my skills so I can be ready for requests.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
We are a Black family-owned business that brings the “grandmama” desserts back to the table. As I mentioned before, the tea cakes are our best-selling sweet. However, we get orders for just about any treat you can imagine–and we’re happy to deliver them to you. I bake everything from pound cakes and cupcakes to pies and cobblers to more elaborate birthday cakes and wedding cakes. We have special offerings throughout the year as we prepare for holidays and incorporate seasonal flavors.
I can truly say I’m proud of the sweets that we provide. We like to say we are “your favorite person’s favorite treat” because often, we are. We receive glowing reviews that range from “my mom is STILL talking about those tea cakes” to “my husband’s birthday is coming up and I HAVE to get a cake from you” to “girl, the kids ate all the cookies, and I didn’t even get one!” Some of our customers have even sent us pictures of the crumbs left on the cake plate after an event. I love that I can bring such joy to so many.
So, that’s my work, done “sweetly!”
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really believe in luck, but I do believe God’s timing.
So many in the past have encouraged me to work for myself, but I had doubts. Until I could actually trust my ability and envision myself in this role, I chose to play it safe. So, in God’s timing, I was laid off from my corporate job. I did a couple short-term assignments, took a few classes, and searched for another job. In the meantime, I continued baking for family and friends–and their family and friends–and more requests continued to come. Two friends of mine, who both happen to be pastors, confirmed this as the path for me. One friend told me I could make a good living selling cookies. The other asked why I was searching for another job when God had already gifted me one. It’s almost as if this passion of mine had been waiting on me to have the time to devote to it, because as soon as I had the time, I also had the customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://sweetlysweets.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/sweetly_sweets
