| This year has been nothing short of a whirlwind since I received my certificate of occupancy on January 9th and officially opened the doors to Sheer Ambrosia’s new commercial bakery. Moving the business out of my home kitchen has been a huge challenge but also a game-changing decision. I’ve always believed that the biggest rewards come from taking risks, and playing small has never been my style. Now, as I reflect on the past months, it’s clearer than ever that this bold step—though nerve-wracking because of the debt involved—has been absolutely worth it.
Since relocating, I've worked hard to expand and elevate Sheer Ambrosia. One of the most significant milestones has been securing three key certifications: Minority-Owned Business [received], Woman-Owned Business [should have this one in hand soon], and the coveted ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification [received] which is a program run by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to help small businesses compete for airport contracting opportunities.
These accreditations required loads of paperwork, site visits, and interviews spanning months, but I’m thrilled to have received two out of three with the third on the way! The ACDBE certification, in particular, opens up the possibility of selling my baklava in airports nationwide, giving Sheer Ambrosia a place at the table that previously seemed out of reach for small businesses like mine. None of this would have been possible if I had still been operating from home.
Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to receive two grants since moving into the new space. One of them is covering my rent for six months—thanks to Dr. Sidni Shorter for pointing me to this opportunity. The other grant, valued at $10,000, will be used to create a marketing video for Sheer Ambrosia. A special thank you to Steve Williams a friend and employee at Spy Hop - Film, Audio, Music, Design for sharing this application. I’ve already met with the production team, and we’re brainstorming to craft an ad that will build incredible momentum for the brand.
Sheer Ambrosia is also set to be featured on the cover of the November issue of Utah Business Magazine alongside two other local businesses, thanks to our holiday gift offerings. This feature will spotlight our companies because of our beautiful and thoughtful gift options for the upcoming season, and I’m honored that Sheer Ambrosia made the cut.
Expanding our wholesale business has been another exciting development, with three new locations added to our partnerships: two Alpha Coffee shops and one Hyatt Place hotel. Being able to partner with other local businesses and seeing our products in more locations has been a dream come true.
I’m also grateful for the support from the Salt Lake Chamber. Joining the Chamber has brought many new opportunities, including a feature on their “Speaking on Business” podcast, which aired on our local KSL radio station during the morning and evening commutes. It was a great way to reach more people and share the Sheer Ambrosia story.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey has been my recent appointment to the board of Habitat for Humanity in Salt Lake City. This is a cause close to my heart, and it’s a chance to give back to the community in a meaningful way. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out to be of service. While I’m still in the trenches building my own legacy, I’m committed to helping others find stability and community through affordable housing. I’m excited to work alongside its CEO, Carin Crowe and her incredible team and use my skills to make a difference. Thank you Carin for recognizing that although I don't have deep pockets, I still can add lots of value to Habitat for Humanity.
These are just a few highlights of what has been an incredible year. Yes, I’m still nervous—debt is always daunting, and I don’t have a safety net if things don’t go as planned. But I’m certain that none of these blessings would have come to fruition if I hadn’t taken the leap to move out of my home kitchen and into a commercial space. I’m going to keep pushing forward, working hard to bake the best treats possible, while collaborating with passionate people who share my love for baking. I’ll continue filling out grant applications, submitting proposals, and attending events that help Sheer Ambrosia grow.
Ultimately, I love what I do, I love who I work with, and I love who I work for. You—my baklava family—are the reason I’m here, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next. Together, we will continue to grow Sheer Ambrosia, one delicious pastry at a time. |
