Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Phelps.
Hi Alison, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My mother used to let me help bake when I was little and that’s where my love for sweets began. When I was in Elementary school, my mom baked a ton of cupcakes, brownies and cookies while I sat at the end of the driveway. She helped me have my first and only bake sale. All the neighbors stopped by and helped me sell out!
I baked for get-togethers, birthday parties and the occasional Christmas cookie.
When I was 30 I enrolled in college because I wanted more for myself and my family. I graduated with an associate’s degree in culinary arts with six certificates also awarded the South Carolina Tourism Student Award. After obtaining my degree, I opened a bakery. Since then, I’ve sold in four stores, grown a clientele for cake decorating classes and increase curiosity for our unique desserts.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As everyone knows there are lots of personal challenges in life but on the business side it has not always been smooth.
Covid threw a wrench in our cake decorating classes. No one wanted to come to in-person classes or attend a virtual bake. Therefore we had to stop cake classes until it was safe to be around others.
The economic situation has been a huge challenge with the skyrocketing prices for ingredients, packaging and overall costs, but I’m thankful for loyal clients and their support.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a culinary expert.
I specialize in unique flavorful cupcakes, cookies and brownies.
I’m known for having creative desserts; adventurous stuffed cookies, buttercream cookies and cupcakes.
I’m most proud of turning my dream into reality. Taking a notebook full of ideas and creating each and every one of them that I can share with the community.
What sets me apart from others in my area is the quality of the products and originality. Interacting with clients is also important with honesty, reliability and communication. I’m always asking for their opinions to help narrow my creative process for new products.
What does success mean to you?
Learning that you can create your own destiny by doing what you love.
In baking, I have the opportunity of creative freedom. To be able to bake any flavor idea I can dream of, giving people a product that excites them and knowing people seek out my baked goods every week gives me a sense of success.
Success is having people give me positive feedback not only with their words but their reaction when they try our sweets. To be able to make others smile with one bite of our baked goods, makes me love what I do even more. It makes all the hard work worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bigtastybakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigtastybakery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bigtastybakery/
