Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ripley.
Hi Lauren, 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 launched Killer Sweets AZ in 2023, starting as a gourmet brownie vendor. For years, I’d been baking these brownies for work and gatherings, and the feedback was always incredible. I decided to take a chance and test them at a local farmer’s market. It was there that I first encountered a vendor selling freeze-dried candy. I was immediately fascinated by it. After discussing it with my boyfriend, we decided to invest in a freeze dryer, and after months of research, we were ready to start our new business venture.
In March 2024, the real adventure began. I became obsessed with experimenting and learning how to freeze-dry every candy I could find. I loved combining different candies to create unique candies, altering existing ones to develop new tastes, and making candies that no one had seen before. My creativity soared, and I realized I was not only passionate about it but also really good at it. I knew I had to bring these ideas to life.
I rebranded our logo and began applying to every market I could find in the area. I dove into learning about business, designing our booth to look like a candy store, and building our presence both in the community and online. It felt like we were quickly becoming a well-known name. By May 2024, I completed our website, KillerSweetsAZ.com, and we began participating in larger, more established markets, gaining a loyal following of “regulars” who still support us today.
By fall of 2024, we secured a weekly spot at one of Arizona’s largest markets, Park West Market. This opportunity led to connections with bigger events through Park West and PSILoveAZ. We expanded from one booth to two, continuously growing and evolving our product offerings. This year, we were even invited to be a vendor at a country music festival – a wild experience that became and our most successful event to date.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we’re aiming to expand our menu to include freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Right now, we’re proud to offer the largest selection of freeze-dried candy at a market booth and online store, and we’re always adding new items. Recently, we’ve introduced more freeze-dried treats like ice cream, brownies, and cheesecake. We also carry viral treats like Sour Gushers, popular dulces, as well as sugar-free, dye-free, and gluten-free candy options. There’s something for everyone.
What truly excites us the most is the joy we bring to our customers – seeing their faces light up when they try something new and experience candy that we have transformed in a way that they have never seen before.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s be honest—it’s definitely been a wild ride. Both Bill and I have full-time jobs, and when we launched Killer Sweets AZ, we were juggling part-time jobs as well. Managing a business, making products, staying on top of trends, and coordinating work and family schedules is not for the weak. The stress is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. There have been plenty of moments where I’ve cried and wanted to throw in the towel, which I think is normal. But I can’t, it just isn’t in me to fail. I set high standards for us, and my competitive nature is really just a competition with myself. It’s tough to put into words, but I have this drive to prove I can do it all. I want to be a jack of all trades, and that’s why I end up taking on so much responsibility from website design to product development, brand creation, and social media marketing. It’s a lot of work, but the pride I feel from pulling it all off is incredibly rewarding. Long hours, nights, and weekends? That’s the reality of being a small business owner. When your business is product-based, there’s a ton going on behind the scenes. But the best part? We make an amazing team. It’s like going to work every day with your best friend.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We pride ourselves on offering the largest selection, both in our market booth and online, combined with exceptional customer service and an unforgettable experience. Our creativity shines through in every candy we create, especially when we’re crafting something truly unique.
We’re particularly known for our one-of-a-kind flavored Skittles. We start with classic Skittles, remove the dye, and infuse them with our own flavors, powders, and sometimes even seasonings for a whole new twist. Another fan favorite are our freeze-dried popsicles and ice cream sandwiches—some of the trickiest items to freeze-dry, yet we make them look just as perfect as they did before.
We also love to experiment with fruit roll-ups, turning them into some of our most popular creations. For instance, “Unicorn Poop” features bite-sized fruit roll-ups filled with Skittles, while “Unicorn Tacos” are fruit roll-ups stuffed with Skittles and shredded green fruit roll-ups (the “lettuce”) to resemble tacos.
Every week, we add at least one exciting new item to our collection. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll run out of fresh ideas, but so far, inspiration never seems to stop.
While some might say freeze-dried candy is losing its appeal, we disagree. By taking classic candies and giving them our own creative spin, we keep things fun and exciting. It builds anticipation among our followers and creates a sense of community at every market we attend. We’re always pushing the boundaries of what candy can be!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
From a young age, I always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I loved animals and spent much of my childhood riding horses. However, school never interested me, and I wasn’t particularly good at it. Unlike my sister, I was shy and reserved, preferring time alone to reflect and be in my own thoughts. I grew up mostly in Albuquerque and Sacramento, where these formative years shaped who I am today.
At 16, my life took a significant turn when I became a mother. My son, Drake, was born, and we quickly had to adjust to life on our own due to his severe allergy to horses. Balancing motherhood and work, I graduated high school in 1996 while raising Drake and working at a pizza place.
In 2001, I graduated from college after joining a pharmacy technician program. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school, but a colleague I worked with mentioned she was going to school to become a pharmacy technician, and it sounded interesting, so I decided to follow that path. That choice launched my career in pharmacy, and here I am, still working in the field today.
Over the years, I continued my education and earned two more college degrees, but after the birth of my daughter Havana in 2014, I decided I’d had enough of school for the time being.
Currently, I work as a quality assurance technician at a mail-order pharmacy. My role involves auditing people, processes, and systems, and using those audits to make recommendations on improving efficiency and reducing errors.
I would describe myself as someone who’s always looking for better ways to do things. I’m the type of person who enjoys finding solutions and improving systems, always wondering if there’s a more efficient way to approach a task.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.killersweetsaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killersweetsaz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557022633228
