Happy One Year Anniversary to us! I am amazed and my heart runneth over with joy to be able to type that sentence. When we (my husband Rene and I) started officially as Sweet Bytes OKC we had no idea how far we could go with it, and we still don’t! It’s been one of those things that is truly just a journey and we follow it where it feels right.
“A learning experience” is a great way to put it. I had really only sold a few orders before deciding to launch a full out website and Home Based Micro-bakery. I am sure that from the outside I looked like I was jumping the gun, but sometimes it’s better not to think too much and just leap. So, we’ve been leaping and leaning into the challenge ever since. I am delighted to say that the official tally on desserts delivered in this one year of operating is 520! To say I feel blessed would be an understatement.
It has been a labor of love and we’ve become experts at correcting on course. Many things have changed over the year and we have learned more than I could write! For one, my pie crust is a completely different recipe than when I started. I have used this all butter crust since mid February of 2014, so if you haven’t tried a Sweet Bytes Pie since then, it’s time! In addition, many of our other items have just gotten better over time with little tweaks and additions that have improved upon the originals. We’ve added many new menu items over the year and the new category of “Cookies and Whoopies.” But the biggest game changer has been upping our capacity for taking orders and storing ingredients. By rearranging, getting rid of nonessentials, turning our art studio into the “pie studio,” and adding 2 refrigerators we are now much better equipped to handle the orders that come through our kitchen. When I started, I could only manage 4 orders in the refrigerator!
Friday Pie Day has been the most fun addition to our year! We’ve been doing it most Fridays since the beginning of May. I have gotten to meet a myriad of new people through deliveries and it has increased our customer base dramatically. It’s exciting to make the new menu every week and see who orders what. I also love getting requests and hearing people upset that their favorite wasn’t on the menu this week (I always make sure it’s there next time!) It’s fairly low risk to spend $5 on a new flavor and the desserts are just the right size for a little weekend treat. I can see this staying a tradition even after we expand into a store front.
The people involved in this adventure have definitely made it a blessing. My life has been made a little sweeter with each and every baked good that I have sent out into the world. I know, I know… that sounds a little mushy and cliche. However, it is completely true. There’s a scene in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas where his heart actually grows, that’s me when I put an order in a customer’s hand- ha ha! I was never a “Grinch,” but my joy for doing good work had been worn pretty thin after 15 years serving in public education. I know how lucky I am to find joy in working again and in being able to find good people to work with! Thank you for reading, and being dear to Sweet Bytes OKC!
