Meet Andee S.

We were lucky to catch up with Andee S. recently and have shared our conversation below.

Andee, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever had any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

Most people visualize creativity as colors and ideas flowing out of someone like a whimsical river of ideas. While I have a flow of ideas, none of them is a fully formed creative venture. I have found that writing down or verbalizing these partial ideas can help with that block.

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?

I have been a public school teacher for 10 years, and love it. I began to feel that the creative part of me was not engaged. I have always enjoyed baking and making treats for my children, friends and family. I started working with the owner of Wagyu Yume, a Japanese food truck in the Austin area. I would bring in desserts or small treats to share. I made a Matcha Strawberry Tiramisu for the owner of the food truck’s birthday. He took a bite, looked at me, and asked if I could be make them for food truck. That was the push I needed, and the beginning of my business.

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

Find your community! As a highly independent person, who seldom asks for help, this was a challenge. I learned to ask for help. I ask my friends to taste test recipes, I collaborate with fellow vendors at markets and events they frequent, and ask customers to share and review my baked goods.

Learn how to take breaks, not quit. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of markets, vending and selling. I do all the baking, advertising, and vending for my business as well as teaching, and parenting. I have to remind myself to take a break and take care of myself. No one can replace you.

Try. Not every recipe will be a winner, not every event will be profitable. The value of these things may not be monetary (that feels scary for a small business) but you will gain insight into what works or doesn’t work. I have been to vending events with poor turn out, and my take away is that I shouldn’t rely on the market to do all the advertisements, I can advertise too!

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

My number 1 obstacle has been the Texas heat! I joke, but it really is a challenge. My schedule opens up in June and July, I try to use my time doing markets and sharing my products in new communities. However, my products melt, I melt, and customers don’t want to come out into the 100°f weather. This obstacle is solved with creativity. I am exploring new markets, events and vending opportunities outside of what I would normally do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @andee.beebakery

Image Credits

Andee Bee