Story & Lesson Highlights with Heather of Midtown

Heather shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Heather, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ince breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m beyond grateful for Sugared Edge, a dream I’ve brought to life from scratch, crafting art out of simple ingredients like butter and sugar. This business has been the backbone of my family’s livelihood for over 13 years, and I’m very proud of it. What no one sees is I stand strong despite the unseen battles with Dysautonomia and multiple food allergies. I show up, authentically and unapologetically, and when needed, I ask for help – a sign of strength, not weakness.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Heather, the proud owner of Sugared Edge Bakery, where I’ve spent over 13 years perfecting my craft as a dessert allergy expert, cake artist, and designer. My specialty? Gluten-free and vegan desserts that wow! I’m all about pushing the boundaries with alternative cakes, spooky designs, and sculpted showstoppers.

Right now, I’m brewing up some spooktacular new recipes for fall.

Recently we added gluten-free cannolis to our menu, which are a game-changer – they’re a huge hit with our customers!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Myself! I’ve worn many hats – from fraud analyst to server, bartender, and have worked at other bakery businesses- and excelled in various roles.

But I’ve learned that traditional work environments often come with compromises. I’ve had to navigate difficult situations and deal with behaviors that aren’t respectful. Through my journey, I’ve taught myself to stand up for what I deserve and refuse to shrink to fit someone else’s mold. As a result, I’ve learned to be unapologetically myself, taking charge of my own path and refusing to conform to unrealistic expectations.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
One thing to my younger self.? “KEEP GOING”

I have had a lot of ups and downs. I have faced extreme bullying, poverty, medical issues. There are a lot of hurdles that I won’t share today. But keep going. Things can be very difficult. Sometimes you have to take things one moment at a time and I need to be reminded of that to this day.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m multifaceted! Depending on the situation, different sides of me shine through. When I’m working at Sugared Edge, I’m all about delivering top-notch customer service. With family, I’m more relaxed and we chat about different things. Even with friends, I’m a bit different. But in each setting, it’s still me being genuine. I used to work in banking, where I felt constrained by scripts and rigid expectations. Now, as the owner of Sugared Edge, I get to be myself and let my personality shine through.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I want to do! When I started my journey to becoming a cake designer I was definitely cheered on.

On the other side, I was often told to stay at jobs that made me unhappy, because it was “safer” than starting my own business.

But no one stood in my way at the same time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Sugarededge.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/sugared_edge_bakes
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/sugarededge