Julie: We have two retail shops—one in the Hershey Fresh Market and another in the Lancaster Central Market. We also hold decorating classes, cater weddings, and take private orders.

Julie: We started this business in 2016 to raise money for Lauren’s mission trip. She was taking a gap year after high school and needed $10,000 for the trip. We began selling at Milton Hershey School, and it quickly took off. A couple of months later, we transitioned out of Milton Hershey on great terms. I’m self-taught and learned to decorate by watching online videos. My artsy background and education in early childhood development—which is all about creativity—helped me transfer that love to desserts. We opened at the Fresh Market in 2022 and expanded to Lancaster a year and a half later.

Lauren: I started out studying nursing, but I soon realized it wasn’t for me. I worked at LCBC Church for almost four years, where I discovered my natural knack for marketing. That skill has become central to our business growth.

Julie: This business feels like a gift given to us for a reason. It wasn’t entirely my own doing—it was meant to be. We aim to follow the path laid out for us and trust it will take us where we’re supposed to go.

Julie: Transitioning from a small two-person operation to managing a growing team has been one of our biggest challenges. We’re still figuring it out, but we’re learning and growing as we go. Building and managing a team is definitely a new and exciting experience for us.

Julie: Get a business coach right away. We’ve worked with SCORE, which has been incredibly helpful. We grew so quickly, and I wasn’t prepared. I just rode the wave without a chance to step back and organize. I wish I’d had a consultant in the beginning to help me strategize. Still, we’re here eight years later, which tells me we’ve done something right, even as we continue to learn.

Julie: Psalms 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This verse comes to mind whenever I feel overwhelmed, helping me release any negative emotions.

Lauren: We support Cocoa Packs, and I’m excited to help them with marketing projects as well.

Julie: Decorating desserts still relaxes me. No matter how challenging the business gets, I always feel good when I’m creating. Also, our Sadie cakes are named after our granddaughter and niece, whom we call Sadie Cakes.

Lauren: I’ve lived abroad in Tijuana, Mexico, and Indonesia. Oh, and I lost 120 pounds while working at a bakery!