Meet Valerie Vivit of Vals Varieties in Des Plaines

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Vivit.

Valerie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a 36 year old single mother of two, my son Christian-17, and my daughter Mia Joy-8. They are the reason behind everything I do, and the reason I am where I am today. For as long as I can remember I have always worked 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet. I had been working as a medical assistant for 4 years at clinic in Mayfair Chicago. After much encouragement from my boss and significant other I made the decision to go back to school and pursue a career as a Registered Nurse. In 2012 I started taking classes at the local community college. This meant that I would only be able to work one job, mostly part time. That Christmas, with very little income, I decided to make my coworkers homemade presents. I made them each a box of holiday cake balls which turned out to be a big hit! Some even suggested I start selling them, but I of course brushed the idea off and never thought of it again. I then started making cake pops for different celebrations around the office- baby showers, bdays, and holidays. That summer I took my daughter to a birthday party that had a beautiful frozen themed sweets table. My daughter begged me to have the same treats for her 4th birthday which was coming up that August. I asked the celebrants mother how much she paid for all the treats, and with her response I decided to try to make them myself because I clearly could not afford it. My coworkers became my biggest fans, and my very first customers! I then started receiving orders from my coworkers, friends of coworkers, and my friends and family members. . By spring of 2014 I was informed that I was accepted into the program and would start Jan 2015. With only being able to work part time at the doctor’s office, and being a full time student, I spent my weekends making cake pops. I started off with one or 2 orders a month and slowly over time became busy every weekend until I graduated in 2016. Cake pops put me through nursing school, and allowed me to save up enough money to put a down payment on my car which was much needed. Was so sure that once I earned my degree I would stop cake popping, but I wasn’t able to let that part of myself go. I am currently a full time NICU Registered Nurse. Cake popping has become my therapy. I get excited for new projects and am so overjoyed when I see the look on my customers faces when they see their orders. I love doing it, and most of all my kids love that I am home. They are my reason for everything I do.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been easy. When I first started it would take me double the time it takes me now to complete a simple project. I’ve done a lot of trouble shooting over the years, and learned a few tricks along the way. Charging my friends and family members has always been a bit of a struggle for me. Everyone wants a discount! I have to constantly remind myself that this is a business. I take time away from my family to make wonderful memories for others and their family members. Lastly, I struggle with saying no. Sometimes I will take on last minute projects even when I’m super swamped just because I hate having to disappoint someone.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Vals Varieties story. Tell us more about the business.
I make cake pops and small desserts, such as chocolate covered Oreos/marshmallows/rice krispie treats/pretzels. Eventually I would love to venture out and make sugar cookies and small smash cakes. My goal is to be a one stop shop. I’m proud of my product! I have only had one disappointed customer so far. I think of new projects as exciting! I try to accommodate every request and put out my best every single time!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years I would LOVE to have my own little shop, or even a pop up cake pop truck! I’m working on coming out with new flavors that I can advertise during certain days of the week, or holiday flavors. Sky is the limit!

Contact Info:

• Phone: 847-962-1022
• Email: valsvarietiesinc@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/valsvarieties/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/valsvarieties/

Image Credit:
Indvisual Films

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