Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shalesa Aldrich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shalesa, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
As a kid my dad worked 3 jobs. 1 where he was employed. And 2 that he owned. My mom was home for us but she also had a home based dog grooming business. I got to see them both doing everything in their power to climb to the top and they both crushed it! I may not have known it then but they were laying the foundation for my future and my dreams to become an entrepreneur. I worked in corporate for several years and then bounced around a few different companies as a licensed insurance agent before it finally clicked, I wasn’t meant to work for someone else. So I made the decision to start S’mormet and I have never looked back! As I often tell my kids, I’d rather work 80 hours a week for myself than 40 for someone else.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
S’mormet Gourmet S’mores was an idea that originated around 6-7 years ago in our family home in Fort Worth, Texas. We were having our weekly “Friday Family Fun Night” and landed on s’mores. Only, we were going all in. Different cookies, chocolate sauce, gourmet chocolate and the works. We started pondering why you couldn’t walk into a gourmet s’mores dessert shop?!? We knew this needed to change.
Fast forward to 2020, we moved to Colorado in the thick of the pandemic. Not knowing what awaited us. I was starting a new career as a licensed insurance agent and began networking. Over the next few years I got to know some really amazing women who were doing big things with their businesses. My wheels started turning and I knew I needed to do something for MYSELF.
I came home one day and dropped the bomb on my husband… with confidence… maybe a little fake confidence… I announced that I would be starting S’mormet! And I did. Here we are a year later and we have grown in ways I never imagined. We make homemade marshmallows in several different flavors, homemade chocolates and offer a gourmet s’mores bar for any event under the sun… I’ve even become a preferred vendor for a couple of different wedding venues!
Over the next year my sites are set on big things including improvements to our converted horse trailer, bigger online sales volume and even speaking opportunities.
To many people, from the outside looking in, they just see delicious marshmallows, and that’s ok. But to me S’mormet is something so much bigger. It’s a pillar in the community, an underdog story about a lost woman who climbed her way to the top and took others with her and most importantly it has helped me discover my passion of fostering relationships, building community and helping other women chase their dreams fiercely.
We are just getting started!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First, my optimism. The way I think helps to me to overcome any roadblock I come across. I’ve always had a positive mindset, luckily that’s just how I was wired. But if you weren’t made this way- you do have the power to change that.
Next, my ability to dream. I am not a person who will sit around and remain unhappy. If I feel like my life needs to go into a different direction, I will make the necessary changes. But how can I possibly know what I truly want if I don’t dream about it?
Lastly, I was a high sales achiever for many years. Amazing at customer service and gaining trust. I’ve always tried to be true to myself, I’m not afraid of who I am, I’m not afraid to get to know people and ask questions and I’m not afraid to put myself out there. Have the confidence to chase what you want and you will catch it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always down for collaboration. In fact, that’s how I’ve come this far to date. I love doing fun events like wine and marshmallow pairings, weddings, baby showers and other celebrations as well as corporate events. I’m also looking to expand by gaining a few new partnerships. A s’mores stand at your business, our product in your store or the opportunity to speak at your next event or be on your podcast. Find me at smormet.co, message me on instagram @smormet_co or check out our Facebook page S’mormet Gourmet S’mores.
Contact Info:
- Website: Smormet.co
- Instagram: Smormet _co
- Facebook: S’mormet Gourmet S’mores
- Other: Email [email protected]
