Meet Chef Bri

We were lucky to catch up with Chef Bri recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

Burnout is a natural state of mind that you really can’t avoid as a business owner. It’s okay if it happens, as long as it’s not constant every day. I pushed myself far too hard while trying to build my business. Taking on too many orders, answering all times of day, not taking a true day off, and staying constantly in go mode. One of the most important things I needed to do, is set boundaries. With my clients, with my phone, and with myself. I needed to get a second phone so that I can step away from work, only answer during certain hours, schedule dedicated pick up times that work for me, and most importantly, plan time off.

Taking time off is near impossible sometimes. But if you plan it in advance, you can make it work for you. Every few months, I plan a weekend to not take any orders. I base these choices on previous sale years so I can try to choose them on a historically slower week. This allows me time to rest, spend time with family, catch up on admin work, update my online presence, and plan out social media posts. I’m still answering clients and handling business related tasks, I just don’t have to worry about deadlines for the week. It’s handling the back end things, which also includes taking care of myself. It’s okay to say no, and it took me a long time to learn that. You can take time off and still be productive.

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?

Baking has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Creativity has always been a part of who I am, so getting to wake up every day and do what I love, while staying home with my family, is something I’m incredibly grateful for. With two young kids, being a mom comes first, and working from home lets me pour my heart into both my family and my craft. I created my business, my kids, and my cakes all from scratch!

One of the best parts of my career is being part of my clients’ lives. Since moving to Georgia four years ago, I’ve had the honor of creating treats for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and so many beautiful milestones. Over time, I’ve even become an honorary member of a few families and friend groups! Watching their stories unfold, while being a small part of some of their biggest celebrations, is something I hold very close to my heart. They could choose to get desserts from anywhere, but they choose me, and I’ll never take that for granted!

The support from my community has shaped my journey in ways I never expected. I try to give that love back however I can. I do this by donating baked goods, joining local events, or helping families who need a little extra care. This month’s Cupcake Cause, where we gifted several kids with free birthday cupcakes during the shutdown, reminded me just how powerful small acts of kindness can be.

We do have some exciting things on the horizon, even if we can’t share all the details just yet. All I’ll say is: stay tuned. We’re only at the beginning of this beautiful journey, and I can’t wait for what’s next.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three skills that have shaped my business the most are mindset, customer communication, and time management.

Mindset
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” This is a quote, by Henry Ford, that has stayed with me for years. My high school guidance counselor showed me this every time I doubted myself. Your mindset is everything. What you think, feel, and believe has a way of becoming your reality. In business, there will always be highs and lows, but choosing to believe in yourself, even on the hard days, is what keeps you moving forward and staying motivated.

Customer Communication
Before I started baking professionally, I spent 15 years in the restaurant industry, specifically front of house. If being a server and bartender teaches you anything, it’s how to speak to people in every possible situation. That experience became the foundation for how I treat my clients today. In this work, you’re going to make mistakes, and you’re going to exceed expectations; sometimes all in the same week. What matters most is how you show up for your clients through it all. You set the tone, you set the standard, and you are the voice of your brand.

Kindness, respect, communication, and clear boundaries go a long way, and they go both ways. I want my clients to understand the full process and feel comfortable reaching out with questions or concerns. That’s why every client signs a detailed policy agreement. It lays out expectations clearly, explains our process, and allows me to maintain my standards with consistency and grace. Treating every client equally and upholding these policies ensures that everyone receives the same level of care, while also protecting them, myself, and my business from any misunderstandings. This also insures that repeat clients understand exactly what to expect.

Time Management
Working in the event industry means everything has a deadline, and life doesn’t always cooperate; especially with kids, a busy household, unpredictable weather, and Atlanta traffic. I am creating edible art, and sometimes food doesn’t cooperate, or I have to walk away and come back with fresh eyes. I also have ADHD, so managing time hasn’t always come naturally to me. Over the years, I’ve learned to create systems that support both my business and my family.

I set strict pickup windows that work for our household, and I schedule deliveries on a case by case basis, depending on my schedule. I tell myself that I have to leave an hour before I do, and set my alarms accordingly. I find this allows me extra time for final touches or unexpected delays. Most importantly, I’ve learned to build my business around the realities of my life—not the other way around. Some flexibility is healthy, but too much leads to burnout and inconsistency.

These three qualities have truly become the backbone of my business. They help me serve my clients well while also protecting my peace, my time, and the joy I find in what I do.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I once had a teacher tell me, “I don’t have tenure, but I bring a lasting impression.” He explained that while he taught English, he also helped in the cafeteria, covered detention, organized buses, and substituted when needed. His goal wasn’t to overwhelm himself—just to offer enough value that he became an essential part of the school community. That mindset stuck with me.

For me, staying well rounded is just as important as mastering my craft. Custom cakes are my specialty – Minimalist Designs, Detailed Tiers, Sculpted Cakes, Hyper-Realistic Creations… we do it all. But beyond cakes, I also offer luxury dessert buffets with fully personalized table design, plus a complete menu of sweets available by the dozen: luxe decorated sugar cookies, chocolate-dipped treats, dessert shooters, and classic scratch-made desserts.

One of the most exciting things for my business has been expanding into local stores. You can find a display case of my desserts at ‘Gimme That Sugar’ on Main Street in Acworth, and at ‘The Local Exchange’ in Marietta Square. It still feels surreal to walk into a shop and see my desserts ready for someone to take home. It’s also the perfect way for clients to try my treats before placing a custom order; and it’s been an incredible way to grow my reach.

By offering a variety of items, I’m able to take on more orders and continually fine-tune my craft. I’ve learned that running a business is more about the journey than the destination. I’m passionate about what I do, and my hope is that the quality, care, and versatility I bring leave a lasting impression, just like that teacher did for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thepurplesprinkle.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepurplesprinkle
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/thepurplesprinklellc
• Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/the-purple-sprinkle-marietta
• Other: Tiktok : tiktok.com/thepurplesprinkle

  Google : https://share.google/ytAvn0K93Ks6y6HlB

Image Credits

Chef Bri’s Headshot – Urban Photos ATL