We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Hunter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Erica with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I honestly think it was inherited. I grew up watching my mom, aunties and grandmother have outstanding work ethic. Even as a housewife, I watched my grandmom run a household with such grace and organization. My mom would always tell my brother and I, “you don’t have the right to complain, if you haven’t worked to help yourself or fix it’. I watched her work 2 FT jobs to provide a quality life for my brother and I, and still show up as our mom and be present. So naturally when I became of age to work, it was just second nature for me to do what I signed up to do, regardless of how small or big it was. If I agree to do a job, I am giving in 1000%. I don’t skimp when it comes to the standards, aspirations and lifestyle that I want, so I don’t skimp on the work I give, that provides those things for my family and I.
I also think that a big portion of having great work ethic is balance and rest. We can’t be anything to anybody if we are depleted. I am my best self and do my best work when my battery is fully charged, Superwoman isn’t my thing…. working hard and not burning out, is.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a self-taught, grandmother taught baker, and my love for beautiful and delicious cakes runs deep. I named my business in honor or my late grandmother Lois and pray that my baking is making her proud. I am always so amazed and what I can create with just a few, high quality ingredients. It’s magical to take sugar and create art, that you can eat and enjoy. My business, Sweet Lois Confections, LLC is a fusion of old school yellow and chocolate frosting cakes and modern, elegant and creative flavor profiles.
My focus this year is to launch a cookbook that will bring families back together for a “Sweet Experience”…. getting back in the kitchen and cooking/baking old school and a few new school classic dinner and dessert pairings. Faith, Food and Family are my three principles and in staying true to that, I want this cookbook, to be a starting point for other families to get back to having quality time together.
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?
Grace, giving myself some grace while learning was super important. I was putting so much pressure on myself and making mountains out of molehills. Determination is super important. I remember I struggled so bad with getting a smooth cake, I would be so discouraged briefly, and then my determination to get this would kick in. I kept practicing and practicing and eventually I got it. Investing in myself was one of the most important qualities for my business. YouTube is cool and a good start, but if you’re really serious about being great at what you do, you have to spend some money. Taking classes, buying the best ingredients, the best packaging, lighting, backgrounds… all, are super important. If you’re cheap with your own business, you will attract cheap customers. Give the best and the best will come. I am extremely grateful that God always send me the best customers.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I am currently planning for a commercial space, as I have just about outgrown my current space. Learning how to navigate that has presented its challenges, but I am not giving up. I am doing the work and when God is ready for me to move, it will happen. Until then, I am making the best and grateful for the space I am currently in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SWEETLOIS.COM
- Instagram: SWEETLOISCAKE
- Facebook: SWEETLOISCONFECTIONS
- Twitter: SWEETLOISCONFECTIONS
- Other: Pinterest: SweetLois Confections
