MEET BERNAE FOUNDER AND, CEO OF FROM SCRATCH DESSERTS.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Can you share with us where you were born and raised, and where your business was founded?
I was born in Fort Lauderdale, FL and, I still live in Fort Lauderdale where my business was founded.
What inspired you to start your own business?
During the pandemic, I thought, “How difficult could this be?” I learned everything on my own, self taught and improved through practice.
Can you tell us about your journey from the idea stage to launching your business?
During the pandemic, I started thinking about ways to make some money. My sister and I came up with the name "From Scratch Desserts," and it just had a nice ring to it, so we went with it! I created a simple logo and set up an Instagram account. It all kicked off when I made a half birthday cake for my six-month-old nephew. I posted it on Instagram, and as half birthdays were just starting to trend, a lot of people expressed interest. That led to my first cupcake bake sale, which was a huge success! Everyone loved the flavors and kept coming back for more each weekend. From there, I began making birthday cakes, and by that point, people were already raving about my cupcakes!
Can you share a particularly memorable or rewarding moment you've experienced in your entrepreneurial journey?
The most rewarding moment so far has been the chance to create a cake for JT from City Girls. I had the opportunity to present it to her on stage at her hosting event, and it was a complete surprise for her. She was incredibly grateful and even reposted it to her story, encouraging her followers to check me out. That really boosted my business follower count!
How do you balance your personal and professional life as a business owner?
The biggest challenge I face is balancing life and baking. As a high school teacher, my only time to bake and decorate cakes is before and after school. Some mornings, I wake up at 4 a.m. just to complete orders before heading to work at 7 a.m.! It’s also tough to coordinate pickup times for customers since they can only come after I finish work at 3 p.m. On top of that, I try to make time for friends, family, and personal interests. Balancing everything in my schedule has definitely been the hardest part!
How do you stay motivated and inspired when facing setbacks or challenges?
Honestly, it's the feedback from my customers that motivates me. I take pride in my work, and when I can make someone's day by delivering a cake that matches their vision perfectly, it truly makes everything worthwhile!
What challenges did you face as a female entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?
As a woman, there are times when people may underestimate you and your potential. Fortunately, I’ve had a fantastic support system. I didn’t face many challenges specifically related to being a female entrepreneur; most of my struggles came from the general challenges of entrepreneurship. Every business has its ups and downs, but thankfully, there’s always someone celebrating a birthday! My biggest hurdle has been establishing boundaries and enforcing policies. Customers often test limits to see what they can get away with, which is why it’s crucial for business owners to set clear boundaries and policies to ensure smooth operations.
What advice would you give to other women who aspire to start their own businesses?
Trust the process! It may not seem like everything is going as planned but trust me everything will fall into place exactly how it’s supposed to and when it’s supposed to. Don’t give up, keep going!
The Socially for HER blog is all about empowering women and recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of women. So is there another female entrepreneur that you want to give a shoutout to?
I'd love to give a shout out to Corina Morgan (instagram: @cc.beautybar_).
What are your social media handles, and where can people find your business online to make purchases?
Instagram & TikTok: @from.scratch.desserts | To order a cake or sweets -» https://bakesy.shop/b/from-scratch-desserts
Instagram: @bernae_ | My personal page connect with and get to know me!