Check Out Tehani Toalei’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tehani Toalei.

Hi Tehani, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved to be in the kitchen, either cooking or baking! My huge sweet tooth has always encouraged me to make delicious sweet treats. After leaving education to care for my newborn daughter, I started Sweet Mama’s Cookies to help bring income in while caring for a growing family! The support and love from my community have helped me grow and have kept me busy! I have been baking and decorating delicious cookies for every season, holiday, and special event for 3.5 years. Aside from custom orders, I also enjoy being in my community at local pop-up markets and teaching cookie decorating classes!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has always been enjoyable, even at its toughest times! Initially, I had never dreamt of being as busy while caring for a newborn as a first-time mom. I have also been pregnant with another child each year of my business. This brought the biggest struggle to work through: time management! Caring for 3 girls under 3, managing my home, and making a good baking routine often leaves me up doing cookies until the early hours of the morning. During this time (because it’s late at night), I enjoy a clean and quiet home while diving into my passion! I often listen to podcasts and FaceTiming my mom or my cousin Meagan.

Thanks – So, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in making custom iced sugar cookies for any celebration or occasion! I am known for having sugar cookies that “actually taste good and are soft.” I am also known for my cookie decorating classes, which teach beginner-level cookie decorating with Royal icing. What sets me apart from others is my personality! I am easy to talk to and work with from the moment you message me! I love to talk to people and build connections! This comes out when people come by for their order pick-ups and when I meet people in person at events.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey is that there’s room for everyone! In the area I live in, multiple people also have home bakeries. Some are even in my neighborhood; I never see them as my competition. It’s great to get to know others in my field of work who I can connect with and refer people to if I am busy or can’t meet their needs. It’s also nice to have a treat every once in a while that you didn’t have to make yourself!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: SweetMamasCookies
• Facebook: SweetMamasCookies