Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Lee.
Grace, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The first dessert I baked from scratch was in second grade. I made a New York-Style cheesecake from a cookbook my mom had purchased from a work fundraiser. I remember ruffling through the pages of this cookbook, mesmerized by the dessert recipes. Although my love for baking never stopped, I ended up going to law school and continued to bake as a hobby. During my second year, a friend asked me to cater her 400-guest wedding at Union Station. I did it, despite having zero knowledge about catering and costs. I barely made any money from that event, my tiny apartment kitchen was a mess, and I hardly slept — but as soon as the wedding was over, I couldn’t wait to tackle my next event. It was then that I knew that baking was my true passion, and I slowly started baking for friends and family events. Eventually, I couldn’t keep up with being an attorney and my own dessert orders, so I took the plunge and started my baking business. And that’s how Love, Sugar & Grace began.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes and no. It was smooth because I took my time developing my business and making a transition out of the law. I remember one of the co-founders of Honey Butter Fried Chicken once said in a seminar, “it’s okay to be slow, but intentional” and that really resonated with me. My business did not develop overnight. I decided to pursue my passion full-time in January of 2017 but I began toying with the idea of quitting my job as an attorney in 2015. During those two years, I focused on honing my craft and made sure I baked desserts that looked good and tasted equally delicious. I also took my time branding. I didn’t have my company name (Love, Sugar & Grace) until May 2017 and my website wasn’t finished until November 2017. Despite not having a brand or a website, my business continued to flourish. To me, that spoke volumes because it showed me that I was baking desserts that people wanted to buy. In terms of growth and development, I was slow but steady because I was intentional every step of the way.
My current challenge is learning to scale my business as we’re getting busier! I’m focused on identifying my weaknesses and delegating responsibilities to those who are strong in my weaknesses.
My advice to women who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey is to always focus on your craft. It’s easy to get lost in branding, social media, and marketing, but if your product does not sell, you will not have a sustainable business no matter how strong your marketing or social media presence is. Also, do not ignore your numbers. Review and constantly reevaluate your finances to see what sells, when it sells, and who your target market is.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Love, Sugar & Grace – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Love, Sugar & Grace specializes in custom dessert catering. We love working with unique themes and creating desserts that make people want to Instagram. The thing that makes me the proudest is having so many repeat clients. I’ve baked for the same clients’ bridal shower, wedding, anniversaries, and baby showers. I’m filled with gratitude realizing that my business has been a part of so many landmark moments in the lives of our clients.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Be kind and always show gratitude to those that support you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovesugarandgrace.com
- Email: info@lovesugarandgrace.com
- Instagram: @lovesugarandgrace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovesugarandgrace/
Image Credit:
Julie Dietz Photography
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