We recently connected with Jocelyn Crane-Tizabgar and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jocelyn, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Life is busy and chaotic, to me that is an understatement. On top of being the owner and head chef of J’s Sweet Affairs I am also a mother of three. There is a saying out there; learn to take care of your self before taking care of others and the same goes for working effectively. I made a promise to myself and it isn’t always easy to keep it, but 5 days a week I spend 20 min – 1 1/2 hours working out. I do yoga, pilates or hiking with a friend. By doing this it is instrumental to my ability to work and take care of my kids. I am more calm, patient, and clear headed.
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?
J’s Sweet Affairs is there to offer custom desserts, cakes, and pastries tailored to personal requests, dietary restrictions, and desires. No request is out of the question. Everything we do is custom from flavor to design. From working for a 10 person party to a 500 person event there is nothing we can’t handle. One of the main things I find the most exciting is being able to bring people’s ideas to life. Something as simple as placement on a cake could bring movement to your design and breathe life to something that is stationed. Not only do my desserts look fabulous but the flavor pallet is complete and well rounded. I have a saying LAYA THE FLAVA!!!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Training; Not only did I graduate from Le Cordon Bleu I also had the honor of working under and beside many award winning chefs from all around the world for 10 years before opening my own company. I was able to learn new techniques, looks and flavors. From there I was able to create a unique look and flavor pallet of my own. The training never stops, there is always something new to learn from new techniques that are discovered to something old you didn’t know how to do or even was there. No one knows everything and the biggest secret to success is knowing to ask questions and continue to learn. I just signed up for an art class so I can start introducing more detailed hand paintings onto my cakes.
Passion, I love what I do. The kitchen is my happy place I play music and turn my mind off and dance while I decorate. It doesn’t matter how hectic my life is I am in a state of calm doing what I love. If you are not passionate about what you do it will show in the end result of your project. It will get harder and harder to get out of bed everyday. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it if you don’t love it. I have been in this industry for over 14 years now and every time I take on a new project or have to hurtle over a new adventure I am even more excited to keep going every day.
Ambition, I am always working on improving my work from trying new decorating techniques to new flavor combinations. Because of my ambition my costumers are always coming back and spreading the word of my company J’s Sweet Affairs. If you are starting your own company you need to know it will be a lot of work from getting the proper advertisement, getting your name out there, making the best product to stand out, and simply pushing your self everyday to better your business.
J’s Sweet Affairs is proudly successful by adhering to these simple 3 ideas and we are continuing to grow. If you have put in the work in training your abilities, have the passion that will keep you going resulting in returning customers, and the ambition to take your career further everyday you will be successful too.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My business partner is not only my best friend, but also my husband. We have known each other for 16 years now. We were married 6 1/2 years ago and where best friends before that. We also have 3 beautiful children together a 5 year old daughter, a 3 year old daughter, and a 10 month baby boy. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect partner in our business. He has extensive training in banking and business management and I have extensive training in the kitchen. Its a heavenly made partnership. A.J. has been and always will be my rock. He is training me on the office side of the business with the correct programs to keep proper accounting and such. He is always by myside and supportive I even got him to do a pilot show for the food network and he took 2 days off of work to do it with me. I am forever grateful for him.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @js.sweet.affairs
- Facebook: @js.sweet.affairs
Image Credits
Tashana Newland for sprinkle photo
