We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lizz Allen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lizz 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?
From a very young age I realized I was surrounded by a family full of hard workers. From my grandfather coming here from Puerto Rico to make a life for his family to my mom working 2 jobs or overtime to make sure I had everything I needed and wanted growing up. Along with so many other family members in between that showed me resilience even in the face of adversity. I attribute my work ethic to being surrounded by such strength.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Well 12 years ago I started this bakery in our kitchen on a military base selling our items to friends, coworkers, and strangers via word of mouth. After having a growing following in Kansas when we decided to make Texas our permanent home it was very scary thinking of having to start to build the business all over again. However, once we settled in I again went from baking in my kitchen to selling our items to friends, coworkers, strangers via word of mouth and at local festivals to having outgrown our kitchen and opening our first brick and mortar. It’s been exciting to meet and service so many new people in our community and beyond. We consider ourselves extremely grateful that we get to be a part of so many of our customers’ special life moments. Especially with our return customers. Where we get to grow together through these life moments which gives us the opportunity to build a sweet bond with every one of them!
We excitedly plan to open our bakery to more local community events like the Tea Parties that we currently host. Which have quickly become very popular as a sweet way to make lasting memories. Along with the Tea Parties we are looking to have more cake, cookie, and cupcake decorating classes as well. We actually have a super fun Galentine’s event coming up February 11th and a Daddy & Me Tea event coming at the end of February on the 25th.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that were most impactful during my journey are as follows:
Resilience or as some would put it stubbornness. For me, I am my hardest critic and while some may think that is a downfall, including myself at the moment, I have actually used it as a tool to strive to continue to learn my craft. Which leads into my next quality which is attention to detail. For me it is very important to recognize and make each and every detail custom and special even down to simple decor. All of it is a well thought out process for me. Lastly, the love I have for my family has given me a drive that I had never really known until I step out into this journey with their unwavering support!
My best advice for anyone on this journey is to surround yourself by an amazing support system. You will absolutely need them even when you don’t think you will. Believe in yourself and all you are doing. Being afraid is ok, hell if you weren’t at least a little afraid would it even be worth it? This is your passion make sure that shines through even in the slightest way. YOU GOT THIS!!!!
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Hands down my husband has been such a grounding support through this whole process and absolutely continues to be to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesweetcupfe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetcupfe_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSweetCupfe/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sweet-cupfé-leander?osq=Bakery+Near+Me
Image Credits
Lizz Allen
