We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brooke O’Dell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brooke below.
Brooke, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I purchased Sugar Drop, I had been a self-taught baker for over 11 years. In 2006, I picked up a book and decided I would learn how to make cakes as a means to be able to stay home with my babies. The style of cakes I offered were hand-painted, carved, sculpted, fondant-covered, and much more elaborate than the style I currently offer at Sugar Drop. Sugar Drop was over 50 years old by the time I purchased it in 2017 so I knew I would have a reputation to step into as a younger owner of an older brand. What I didn’t realize was how I would also become an overnight expert, or at least, be expected to be an expert on all items in the baking world. As easy as it could have been for me to have self-doubt in my skills as a new brick-and-mortar business owner, I had to remind myself that I came with over a decade of experience, a clientele list with some of the biggest names in the world, and product knowledge and street-smart experience that did qualify me as an “expert” in my field. I realized that I didn’t have to have a fancy degree in my field to know what I was doing or talking about. The layers of self-doubt I had stepping into this role as a business owner began to slowly fade because I allowed my head and heart to meet in the middle and I knew I was just as capable as anyone of being successful in my new role as a business owner.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the Chief Sprinkle Officer of Sugar Drop, an independently owned shop in Franklin, Tennessee that has been around for almost 60 years. As the owner and head dreamer of the business, I have been able to create a whimsical wonderland that allows guests of all ages to step in and feel like a kid in a candy store. From glitter floors to candy chandeliers and sprinkle countertops, our shop is designed for you to have a complete sugar experience from the moment you walk inside. We are a unicorn of a business; a full commercial bakery, a retail shopping space, and a party and event space all in one. Students of all ages can enjoy hands-on experience through our self-led instruction events and camps. Guests can taste a full menu of handmade desserts and sweet confections while shopping a sweet-inspired curated collection of retail items including a wall of over 900 styles of cookie cutters to ice cream-shaped lip gloss and lollipop purses. Sugar Drop offers a calendar full of fun events for all ages and works locally with the school system for all philanthropic work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important thing to remember when starting a business is that you are unique and there is no one else like you. Your business is a reflection of you so don’t try to duplicate or replicate anyone else, the world is full of copycats. It’s okay to be unique and outside the box. There is no shame in that. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You learn something new almost every day of business, especially if you deal with people. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a mentor or someone else in your field who can help guide you.
Finally, each day will bring its challenges so learn to let things go. We can’t fix the past but can only learn from mistakes or failings. We are usually our own worst critics. We also allow for hurtful words to have a much longer impact than positive words. Learn to silence the hard and move past those things and give yourself grace.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
My two favorite books in the world are Cold Tangerines by Shauna Neiquist and Love Does by Bob Goff. Both are memoirs with sweet life lessons tucked within short stories. Both books tell of love and heartaches and living life to the fullest. These books allow for the reader to be reminded that they were made for a bigger purpose so don’t be afraid to lean into your unique self.
Contact Info:
- Website: sugardrop.com
- Instagram: sugradroptn
- Facebook: sugardropTN
- Youtube: sugardroptn1
- Yelp: sugar drop
Image Credits
Happily Situated Photography – Amy Teague
