Conversations with the Inspiring Sheree Gilles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheree Gilles.

Sheree, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always loved to bake and eat cake! I grew up baking with my mother, watched my grandmothers bake, and have always had a huge sweet tooth. The decorating side has also always intrigued me. I would see birthday cakes at the store and think, “I can do that!” It’s the perfect mix of food and art, two things I absolutely love! A few years ago, I finally took a cake decorating class and immediately fell in love with the process. I love the idea of artistic creations made with food and frosting. I love to watch ordinary ingredients come to life. As I baked, experimented, and decorated more, several people and family members encouraged me to start my own business. I launched My Sweet Amour three years ago and I make cakes and other sweet treats for a variety of events!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road is never smooth! When I first started, I knew absolutely nothing about starting a business and I was completely unsure of where to start and what all of this might look like. Truthfully, I still feel that way. I sought out some resources and then decided to take the leap. One of the biggest struggles for me has been playing every role in my business, some of which I have little experience with. I am the baker, marketing expert, delivery person, responsible for PR, etc. Making time for my business and playing each of those roles well, in the midst of working a full-time job, has also been a challenge. I think everyone wants to be an overnight success and I’ve realized that is usually not the case. There are a lot of hours invested behind the scenes when everyone else has gone to bed. I’ve learned to reconstruct what success looks like in each season of my life. In some seasons, you reap very few benefits and in other seasons, you’re able to sit back and enjoy what you made. I realize that my story is going to look different from everyone else’s story, my successes will look different and will change as I grow stronger in my craft and better learn each of the roles I play. To young women starting their journey: Believe in yourself and your God-given talents. Don’t let the everyday struggles or the barren seasons deter you from what you set out to do. Seek advice in all things, because asking for help is a sign of strength. Find your community, your people, who can champion you when you start to lose your way and don’t forget at the end of the day, in the wee hours of the night or at your hardest moment, why you started and why you love what you do!

What should we know about My Sweet Amour? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I bake and decorate cakes, cupcakes, and cookies! I specialize in smash cakes for first birthday parties and photo sessions; however, I bake and decorate for a variety of events and occasions! I am the sole baker and decorator for My Sweet Amour and I am most proud of my commitment to creating the best possible creation for my customers, often spending hours to bring requests to life. I am devoted to only selling products that I am proud of, so I bake from scratch, make my own frostings, and believe in using high-quality ingredients, as the ingredients are indicative of the final result and taste!

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
What I have learned, is that in most cases, you are not the first to attempt something and there is strength in admitting that you need help or a mentor. Utilize your support system that already exists. The people around you may not be specific to your business or have experience in the field you are in, but they will be the people there for you when you need to bounce off different ideas or need reassurance before trying something new. As for mentors in my field, for me, it has not been anyone specific. I have learned, however, that there is a rich online community of people willing to share tips and tricks for decorating, fondant sculpting, baking, and everything else in between. I have learned incredibly valuable skills through the success of others. Networking, however, requires you to introduce yourself and put yourself out there. Whether that is with an eye-catching card, a website or an in-person meeting. For me, I try to let the work speak for itself and my customers often network for me by sharing my card or recommending me to their friends!

Contact Info:

• Website: mysweetamour.com
• Phone: 480-570-4569
• Email: hello@mysweetamour.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/mysweetamour
• Facebook: facebook.com/mysweetamour

Image Credit:
Mickey Mouse Cake-Karley Brown Images

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