We were lucky to catch up with Ellie Descoteaux recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ellie, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep myself busy by creating interesting food. I ask people their likes and dislikes. Also, our grandson is 3 we have him taste test several of our desserts. If kid approved we move forward. Alot of our farmers markets and shows that Ellie participates in allows us to bring new ideas. If they dont sell then we scratch that batch and donate them to local food pantries. I dont believe in wasting good food.
Pinterest is a great mental boost for creativity! I love that website in addition I am loving making party favors.
I love knowing that I am going to make children happy and excited for candy treats! Candy Kabobs are a huge hit at all my shows. I can be super creative with what I add on, especially with packaging and ribbons.
I have brought back some old recipes that have been handed down from my Italian Grandmother such as my Italian Sicilian Orange Cake. I use the oranges that grow on my daughters trees in Gilbert Arizona. As, well as the lemons. they are just juicy and delicious its so nice to pick them off of the trees growing in your own back yard.
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?
Ellie has a state inspected kitchen and is a home baker. She has an online website in which she ships to all USA states.
In addition I do 20 shows per year sounds like a lot and it is. I have been doing shows since 1990 I started at the age of 19 with my Aunt Joan who gave me encouragement for over 30 years. For the last 5 I have been making cookies, sweet breads, gourmet brownies, Old Fashioned peanut brittle and Vegan as well. It won best taste at a New Mexico vegan festival in 2018.
Back in 1991 I begin doing my first craft fair selling soaps, and Home quilts as the years went by until the mid-2000s I started baking hence Boulder Sweets NH, was created. As a young mom of two I always had a side hustle to bring in extra money for my kids. I really enjoy meeting new people and hearing there stories at events. Like my mom always said if you don’t take the time to talk and listen to people you will never actually know them.
Boulder Sweets NH is a home based business which allows me time to participate in farmers markets and other local and out of state events.
What’s special is when my nephews or nieces now in there 20’s- 30’s telling me I remember when Auntie Ellie made me my first soap or they remember us making caramel on the stove! I love the memories I have created with each of them that is heartfelt and special to me.
My soaps I reuse all my scraps that I cant recycle during the year I donate our soap scraps/ ends to several Veterans Shelters and Homeless shelters. Everyone deserves something nice no matter the situation they are in.
I am super excited to make my #candykabobs #veganbrittle # veganenglinshtoffee I am so relaxed in my kitchen what I dislike the most is packaging it all up it can take hours to do so. I am a one person baker and on occasion my Best friend of 41 years Melissa C. helps me at shows to keep up with the sales. Rob, my husband will help me set up the tent and taste test. He is also my sounding board when I am stressed. Debbie my sister makes my hand stamped cards that I include with large orders.
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?
Looking back during the past 32 years the ability to listen to what people say to you and take it in has helped me tremendously. Ellie is a huge people person outgoing, friendly and her sales skills are amazing it has helped make bonds with customers and people in general for many, many years.
My advice would be listen to people who might give suggestions it doesn’t hurt to try them, see if they work. If they dont you cant say you didn’t try. Start off small , try a few ideas/designs and move forward if you find sales are slacking dont under sell yourself.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Ideally there is no perfect client, however with that being said my ideal client is someone who enjoys good baked sweets or has a sweet tooth like me. I cater to the person who is looking for something different as a party favor, someone who wants to send a thought felt treat to a loved one near or far. A person who doesn’t have the time to enjoy simple life rewards such as a gooey fudgy brownie or loves to enjoy cookies at night on a couch or a breakfast protein bar while hiking.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bouldersweetsnh.etsy.com
