Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Turner
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I would spend a lot of time in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother. Most of my favorite memories are in the kitchen, especially during the holiday season. We would bake over a dozen desserts to give out to our family and friends. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love to bake!
Before starting Sapphire Sweets Bakery, I attended Austin Community College. I majored in Baking and Pastry Arts, this wasn’t a surprise to anyone! In the spring of 2022, during my last semester of school, Chef Herrington made an announcement during class about applying for a scholarship from US Foods. In the moment, I was too busy thinking about all the work I needed to do in class. However, when I got home I had no homework and decided to apply for the scholarship. Why not! Several months go by and I forget about the scholarship. Until I got an email saying I was one of eighteen winners! This was such a surprise!
With the scholarship funds I was able to make one of my dreams come true! I applied to study abroad in Paris, France at Ecole Ducasse and got in! After several months of preparation and once I had graduated college I was ready to start the program! I spent three months in Paris learning so much about their culture and cuisine. I was so grateful for this opportunity and still am! I got to meet so many different people from around the world! It was wonderful! After class, a group of us would sometimes go explore the city and try different bakeries together. One of my favorite memories from Ecole Ducasse is when Chef Paineau sliced my croissant in half and said “you’ve made these before haven’t you”. I said “yes chef, thank you!”
After landing back in the United States, I started to think about what I should do next. Over dinner that night I asked my Dad for some advice. I said “I don’t really want to work for anyone else and get underpaid” his response was “why not start your own business now?” I didn’t question it and got right to brainstorming. A few days later I made Sapphire Sweets Bakery an LLC and got right to work!
Sounds pretty easy when you type it out but it’s a lot of hard work. And I still work for someone else but that’s okay because at the end of the day I get to do what I love and make others happy with my baked goods!
Fun Fact:
In my Plated Desserts class at ACC, we did an assignment where we got to create our own business and menu. My businesses name was Sapphire Sweets. I chose Sapphire because it is my birthstone. Little did I know that assignment would become my real business!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The first time I filed my taxes for my business I didn’t realize I needed to file with my personal taxes. I found this out after I had already filed my personal taxes… I only discovered this because I got rejected when I filed my business taxes online. And I sadly did not get a refund. So I lost money, shed a few tears and had to pay more money to get professional help because I needed to amend my taxes together.
Now I am all ready for tax season with all my receipts, mileage tracked, and all other business info organized. I am ready to surprise my tax advisor with my organized packet! If that doesn’t scream business owner I don’t know what does!
Overall, it has been a smooth road with just a few potholes!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a baker! I don’t specialize in one particular baked good. You want something specific and it’s not on my menu. Don’t worry I can still make it for you! Most of my customers order custom items such as sugar cookies, cupcakes, and cakes.
I am proud of my flexibility! A lot of customers forget that if they can’t make a cake in 2 days then it’s unlikely someone else can. However, I like to prove people wrong. So I find a way to get that cake to them!
Just don’t forget on top of being the baker, I am also the dishwasher, the grocery shopper, invoice maker, delivery driver, the clean up crew, and more! It can get pretty busy but I love it!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Having to slam on my brakes on i35 with cakes in the back is a risk! But jokes aside starting a business (any business) is a risk but if God can give me the business He can give me the customers. Risk is important, it builds character and makes great stories!
Pricing:
- Delivery Ranges from $5-$15 (depending on distance)
- Cupcakes start at $3
- Custom Sugar Cookies start at $36 a dozen (depending on design)
- All individual baked goods are under $10
- Cookie Kits start at $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sapphiresweetsbakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sapphiresweetsbakery?igsh=eTdjZmVraW1iZWI5&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-turner-44ba621a2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: Gmail: sapphiresweetsbakeryatx@gmail.com
