Meet Amy Turner of Sweet Legacies in Coppell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Turner.

Amy, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story began as a young five years old, mesmerized by my grandmother’s cooking! 

I was spellbound when I’d watch her make a chocolate pie from scratch or watch her whip up some dark chocolate pecan bark.

Little did I know that those precious memories would form a future life-long endeavor for me. My grandmother taught me some very basic candy making and baking skills at a very young age, but most importantly she taught me how to appreciate how delicious her world was! An announced trip to granny’s house was like I won the golden ticket to Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory, in the not-so-secret location of Chico, Texas!

A childish dream began to grow in me, to become a Chocolatier, like granny. This desire became even stronger when around the age of 10, my mom took the chocolate baton from granny and opened up her own Chocolate Workshop in Arlington. My greatest memories with mom, in that tiny little shop behind our home, was painting chocolate molds with edible colors and weekends in the kitchen baking up old fashioned oatmeal cookies and of course, eating half the dough before they ever went in the oven!

My grandmother and my mom gave me a deep appreciation for exceptional desserts of any kind and biscuits that would change your life (inspiration for my scones)! So it came as little surprise to them both when I wanted to carry on their legacy. Barely out of high school and newly married, I began making chocolates and pastries for friends and neighbors, as gifts. It didn’t take long before they were all insisting I sell them, so they could get their hands on these sweet treats more than a couple times a year. So, wanting to create something old fashioned with some unique twists of my own personalized creation, I borrowed the skills I learned from my grandmother and my mom and built on that with hours upon hours of experimentation and trial and error until I was able to come up with some delicious treats that had a little bit of them and a little bit of me, all mixed in. I’m proud to say that I think that the combination of teamwork yielded some incredible results!

Thanks granny. Thanks mom. I couldn’t have done it without your skills, your mentoring and your unwavering encouragement. I spent the last 25 years, selling chocolates and pastries in my spare time, while I raised my four children.

When my own kids were old enough to get involved we started entering some dessert and chocolate competitions together and have taken home several awards. It was at this time that I decided the name of my company should reflect who we are. We are a close family, learning from those who have gone before us and passing on traditions and skills to those after us…these traditions and recipes are family legacies… Sweet Legacies, in-fact!

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?
Until my last child recently left the nest, it has always been a struggle to run, even a very part-time business while raising four sweet children.

My goal was for my business to never overshadow my family. It was a challenge at times, but I think I succeeded for the most part. Now that my fourth child has left home, I’m more free to give the business more of the time I have always wanted to give it.

My grandmother’s chocolate business was booming when she was in her 80s!

I hope to do the same!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Sweet Legacies, is the creator of unique artisan chocolates and pastries.

Many in the metroplex may remember our decadent dessert cafe that used to be located in Colleyville, off Hwy 26 back in 2003. (If your an old customer, PLEASE reach out to us, we’d love to reminisce, those were some great times with you all!)

Over the last 25 years, we have developed a faithful following of customers from all over the US. From Texas to Hawaii, to Colorado. We have provided our famous whiskey cake for client gifts from both small companies, as well as large ones, such as the Denver Broncos. We have provided handmade truffles for both weddings and company events.

We have also taught candy making classes to homemakers, as well as to large companies for team building projects.

We are most famous for our Chocolate Whiskey Bundt Cake that comes in an elegant gift tin, our Dark Chocolate Nut Barks, our Texas Caramel Pecan Bars, our outrageously good Chocolate Caramel Pretzels and our Award Winning Scones (my rendition of granny’s and mom’s killer biscuits).

We also have a cult-like following for our spicy drinking chocolate, which won the grand prize at the Colorado Chocolate Festival in 2012.

What sets us apart as a company is that number one: God, family, friends and employees come first, profit second (Some successful people consider this a weakness, I consider it a strength). Secondly, what makes us stand out, is our commitment to the ultimate taste experience for our customers. We live to see that utter look of total sublime on your face! When the world just stops, for a short little moment and your speechless.

This goal, keeps me in the kitchen for hours upon hours until a new recipe is perfected (drives my husband batty! Lol)

This goal also makes me seek out the finest and freshest ingredients that I can find from around the world.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
That’s a tough question because I have had several of those moments throughout the last 25 years…so I’ll name a few.

When I changed the name of the company to Sweet Legacies, to honor my mom and my grandmother and my children.

When I beat the Four Seasons Pastry Chef in one of my first cooking competitions.

When my daughter and my son won an award in a baking competition.

When I became the client gift provider for the Denver Broncos (my beloved Dallas Cowboys, please come join the fun!)

When a long-time customer who developed stage four cancer said my drinking chocolate was that one special treat, that never failed to calm her stomach and make her happy.

The first time my truffles were apart of a wedding proposal.

The day I opened the doors to my dessert cafe (Cafe Chocolat) in Colleyville in 2003 (In contrast, the saddest day, was when I had to close it, due to personal reasons. I do miss my customers, who had become my friends)

Contact Info:

• Website: SweetLegacies.com
• Email: amy@sweetlegacies.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/sweetlegacies
• Facebook: Facebook.com/sweetlegacies

Image Credit:
Angela Persicke
Daniel Alvarez Williams

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