For Shannon Raday baking is not only “sweet therapy,” it’s her business. Shannon literally named her baking business Sweet Therapy as it is her joy and a business that allows her to “provide a moment of pleasure” for her customers.
“My customers enjoy delicious, wholesome treats always made from scratch, made without chemicals, processed mixes or preservatives. Baking started out to be stress therapy for Shannon as well as a creative outlet.
“Then, I realized that I had something to offer others that went beyond just tasty baked goods,” said Shannon. “My healthy baked items don’t contain artificial ingredients and provide treats that my customers tell me sometimes trigger a happy childhood memory when things were simpler, and meals were eaten at the dinner table and not on the rush.”
“Before I started my business, I didn’t know how common it was for consumers to have food sensitivity and diet restrictions that limited their ability to enjoy desserts,” said Shannon. “The number of these types of consumers is on the rise. For many of my customers their health is an issue and their diets cannot include ingredients such as gluten, sugar, dyes, or chemicals. Other clients follow Vegan or Keto diets. Accommodating restrictive diets is my specialty. Why should having a different diet make it impossible to enjoy a sweet treat? I make sure to have products that everyone can enjoy regardless of their diet restrictions.”
“I am sympathetic to challenges people face as one of the things that encouraged my baking was the fact that it helped me cope with the stress of life. Baking is an escape and helps me feel calm and focused,” she explained.
A great challenge in the business of preparing preservative-free food is keeping products fresh and delivering them quickly. Florida’s hot temperature increases the need for additional refrigeration equipment.
The Business Builder Grant Shannon received from Fulfill Your Destiny will help fund her ability to increase mobile refrigeration and allow more fresh baked items to be sold in outdoor settings. As her small company grows, Shannon plans to donate to non-profits serving children and homeless community members.
“Everyone can be cheered by a delicious, wholesome treat. We literally want to spread “sweet therapy” whenever we can. When I see someone smile while eating our treats it makes me truly happy,” said Shannon.
