Meet Ariel Doan

 

We were lucky to catch up with Ariel Doan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ariel, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?

Growing up I had to grow up at a young age, becoming very independent and relying on myself. I got my first official job when I was 14 and have worked ever since, I take pride in what I do but with pride comes the pressure of feeling like it is never enough. I have always felt the need to go above and beyond in everything I do even if it leaves me with nothing left. This past year I have faced several personal challenges bringing me to low points in my life and causing me to realize I was living my life for others instead of for myself and causing severe burnout. It is a hard thing to overcome and avoid but I have moved my focus on to being a better version of myself. Setting boundaries with my clients, my family and myself to become the best version of me. Of course it is going to be an ever changing and challenging process but setting those boundaries, dedicating time to myself and my friends and choosing me has been one of the greatest journeys I have been on. I am focusing on living life instead of letting life control me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I started baking as a kid with my grandfather, making apple pies. This is a fond memory of mine since I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s at a young age. As I grew up I continued my love of both baking and cooking, getting my first start in the restaurant industry at the age of 15 at Rogues Harbor in Lansing NY; cleaning the restaurant just to get my foot in the door. Moving my way up into bussing table, working the bed and breakfast and when I was old enough moving into the kitchen to make all the desserts and prep for the upcoming dinner shifts. It was there that I with the advice of the chef Larry that I decided to go to school for baking and pastry. He told me “anyone can cook but not everyone can bake, so if you have that talent to bake then you should follow it”.

The summer after my first year at Johnson and Wales I got my first bakery job at Baked Euphoria in Endwell NY. Starting as an assistant cake decorator with very little knowledge and learning as I went until I became the head cake decorator. Until I moved in 2014 to Virginia Beach and started working at Twisted Sisters Cupcakes as the head cake decorator and general manager. Continuing to grow my cake decorating skills on the job and develop manager skills. In 2021 I was given the opportunity to purchase the bakery and continue to pursue my dream of owning my own bakery and creating a bakery family. My employees are my friends, my chosen family; in the sense that they know I have their backs and will do anything to help them succeed and in return they have my back. Taking over the business was challenging enough to begin with juggling trying to keep the business successful and not burn myself out and they were there for me every step of the way. Over the past year I have had several personal challenges that have taken me to the lowest points of my life but knowing I have a team at the bakery that are stepping up where I was needing to fall short kept me going.

I have always felt like giving back to those around me is a purpose everyone should embrace. And helping others feel special and celebrate is something that is close to me. If I can cheer someone up who is feeling down why wouldnt I do that. Which is one of the main reasons I have taken heart to partnering with CHKD and the Confetti Foundation. Raising funds to donate back to CHKD along with creating birthday cakes for children who what to spend their birthday in the hospital.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilient – life is hard, work is hard, everything is going to test you in every way possible but you have to keep bouncing back. Yes life is going to knock you down, things are going to challenge you everyday but if you keep focusing on pushing forward and not taking the challenges to heart except to grow from them then you will become stronger and a better version of you everyday.

Hopeful – I always try to see the good in things, the good in people. Not everything or everyone is perfect and you can never expect that but everyone and everything has something good within it. Sometimes it’s just not on the surface.

Realistic – While I am hopeful you also have to be realistic about people and about life. Not everyone wants to put their best foot forward. Sometimes it takes longer for people to get bring out the side of them you know is there. And while you can look at every situation with positivity and hopefulness you can not hold yourself and your happiness back hoping someone or something will become the version you see.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My friends are the reason I have been able to overcome the challenges thrown at me lately. Especially Angie and Mariah who both work with me at my bakery. They are my ride or dies, good luck charms. They have both been with me since before I purchased the bakery and they could run the place with their eyes shut. Having them in my life means I know that I always have someone to pick up any slack when needed, they will jump in on any task. They are my sounding board when it comes to growing the business, coming up with new ideas, and helping through personal tough times.

They have helped me learn that I have the power to be the person I want to be both in my personal life and in my career.

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