We recently connected with Bonnie Patterson and have shared our conversation below.
Bonnie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
After a horrible experience in my life of becoming an alcoholic, drug addict, full of remorse and guilt, did I decide to reach out for help. After a lot of work and perseverance I started to become more and more confident and comfortable in myself and my ability to do whatever it is I put my mind to. After a couple different career choices that I wasn’t very happy with I decided to follow my passion for baking, and gift boxes, it’s literally my escape! I kept receiving praise and compliments, people telling me I should sell them (I was thinking no way, no one would want to buy from me) never even thinking I would ever become or be capable of becoming a business owner of something that was my creative passion. Well, after I decided to take that chance did, I find out that a lot of people other than my friends and family lol love my creative side and my desserts would absolutely buy from me, it’s a dream come true to see all the smiles I put on people’s faces when they receive their orders.
I am here to tell you to just go for it, don’t wait like I did wasting time thinking you aren’t good enough or feeling like an imposter, there are people out there who desire and are looking for whatever it is that is your gift, talent and whatever it is that you offer!
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?
Hello friends, my name is Bonnie, owner of Mimi’s Sweet Escape, a cottage food bakery where I like to focus on custom gift boxes featuring gourmet treats among cupcakes, cookies and a variety of quick breads. I have been in business for a little over a year and am blessed with a thriving business. The most exciting part of my business is being able to create that special gift box catering to the individual’s style who is receiving the gift. I also love being out in the community participating in various markets where I meet so many new people/customers.
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?
Learning the business side of things like licenses, laws, website was and still is my biggest challenge but there is so much help and recourses that offer help with any questions I have which made navigating so much easier.
I have also learned how important it was to narrow down my niche and focus on what I love most about my business, not to over complicate things to avoid baker burn out which, I never knew was a real thing.
Last and most important is customer service and making it as easy as possible to keep great communication and clarity to create what it is they are looking for.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Social media by far is my biggest challenge. I am learning as I go with the help of Google, YouTube and my children ha-ha.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @mimissweetescapes
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