Mompreneur Spotlight – Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop

  Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

I am so excited to announce our newest Mompreneur Spotlight!!!

Brandiss is the beautiful wife of one of my college classmates. Tyrone (her hunk) and I studied Architectural Engineering together at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Though I’ve not personally met his beautiful wife, her spirit is infectioous and her love for bringing the sweet things in life to your home and your lips means that she’s simply wonderful. The next time I’m in the DC Metro area, I will be making a request to meet her cupcakes (I mean Brandiss)! :)

We had her scheduled to be on back in April, but life took over and I’m honestly just getting back into the swing of things around here.

(Let me beg your forgiveness right now. I know by the time you’re done reading her interview, you may drop your diet, pick up the phone, and order a dozen – or two – of her sweet treats!)

Anywhoo…without further ado, introducing the Sweetest Baker in the DMV!

What’s the name of your business?

Butter Scotch Shop

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly
The Butter Scotch Shop

 

What kind of services do you offer?

I offer dessert catering services which includes (but is definitely not limited to) cupcakes, cakes, cake pops, and dessert tables.

Desserts are available for pick or delivery to any location in the metro Washington, DC area. I offer a wide variety of traditional cake flavors and new flavors such as those featured on my Happy Hour menu (infused with alcohol).

In addition, I offer cupcake jars which is comprised of any flavor cupcake baked in a mason jar, and topped with icing, sprinkles, and more! These jars can be shipped to any location across the county and also work well as favors or gifts for parties, weddings and showers!

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly
Butterscotch Cupcakes @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

Do you have a personal or business slogan? What does it mean to you?

My personal slogan and the way I run my household and my business is “Impossible is Nothing.” I don’t believe in the word can’t. I believe that we all can reach far beyond our dreams. The only limits we have are those we place on ourselves. Remembering that nothing is impossible, every day, makes me feel like I can change the world one cupcake at a time :) It means that even when I don’t feel like it, or think I can do something, I will excel and be better than I was yesterday.

How long have you been a Mompreneur?

In the “official” sense I started my company Butter Scotch Shop in October 2011…however, I feel like all Moms are Mompreneurs in some sense of the word. Running a household is the most intense corporation out there!

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly
Cupcake Bouquets @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

What’s your Mompreneur story?

I have been baking for years. I used to bake with my mother when I was younger. She was a very precise baker and loved to only bake from scratch. She has a few recipes that she passed down to me and I started to play with and further developed. When I moved to DC in 2002, I started cooking more, people always asked me to bake for them, especially my Carrot Cake. If I showed up without a sweet treat, I was not allowed in the door!

Once my daughter was born, I slowed down on baking and did more taste testing the local bakeries. I feel in love with a local mobile cupcake truck. I loved their story, the infamous…”corporate goes to the kitchen” and felt like I had a similar story somewhere in me. I finally convinced my hubby that I wanted to make my talent official and open a bakery. He met me halfway with starting a home-based bakery, but hopefully with its success, I will be brick and mortar soon!

 

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly

Cupcake Jars @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

How do you balance your responsibilities, as wife (fiancé), mom, daughter, sister, friend seamlessly?

Balancing…Seamlessly? Hah! Balancing is for acrobats, lol. There are so many facets; the mom, the business woman, the wife. I also have a full time 9-5 job working as a Senior Business Advisor so seamless really only covers my pantyhose. :)

If I have big orders something has to give. It may be cooking dinner, housework, or sleep. And vice versa. Communicating with my husband helps a lot. He knows there is going to be less of me going around, but we made the decision as family that its worth it.

The sister/friend dynamic, even harder. I host a LOT more girls nights in my kitchen and make them taste test. I think that’s a win/win for all involved.

What’s the biggest triumph you’ve experienced as a Mompreneur? How did you celebrate?

The biggest triumph I’ve experienced is actually having the support of my family and friends when I launched my website and facebook pages. Within days of saying, “I’m in business”, I had a large dessert catering/sweet table catering. It meant so much to me that people believe in me and were just waiting for me to pull the trigger. I celebrate that victory everyday by looking at the pictures from that event on my website!

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly
Flower Cupcakes @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve experiences as a Mompreneur? How did you recover?

The biggest challenge I’ve experienced and still experience are naysayers. People saying you can’t do it. People questioning why you are doing it. People being negative. Its most hurtful when you realize some of the people closest to you say these things to you and it can carry a lot of weight if you let it. It gives me fuel. Telling me I can’t do something is just as good as telling me its already done! I realize that that persistence and determination are the main ingredients in accomplishment, and in what I do, those ingredients are equally as important as butter and sugar!

Any words of advice to aspiring or established Mompreneurs?

Becoming a mom has shown us our bodies, our minds, our worlds can expand to create something beautiful and amazing. Creating a business is very similar to that journey. You are birthing a creation, an extension of yourself. It has to be nurtured, and coddled. It will be frustrating at times, and keep you up all night, but when you see your success come to fruition there is no better feeling.

Mompreneur Spotlight - Brandiss @ The Butter Scotch Shop - AngelicaKimberly
Varitey of Flower Cupcakes @ The Butter Scotch Shop

 

How can the readers of AngelicaKimberly.com stay connected with you?

To hear more about Butter Scotch Shop you can stop by my website, visit us on facebook, and follow us on Twitter. If you want to view our delicious creations stop by instagram: butterscotchshop or pintrest:butter scotch shop.

Brandiss is offering AngelicaKimberly’s readers at 10% discount on all bakery orders through July 1, 2012. So be sure to stop by her page, show some love, and order some of her goodies!

I’ve salivated the entire time I wrote this interview…this is so not a good thing! But those cupcakes in my tummy will be! :) This will be one way this Mompreneur is getting her sweettooth fix! :)

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Are you a Mompreneur (or know of a Mommpreneur)?
Would you like to be featured on AngelicaKimberly.com?

Send me an email to angelica@angelicakimberly.com!

Be sure to include “Mompreneur Spotlight” in the subject line.

I’d love to have you on AngelicaKimberly!
Let’s allow the Mompreneurs of AngelicaKimberly glean from your success, experience, and wisdom! :)

Dance with the King!

 

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Mompreneur Spotlight – Dedra A. Allen of Salon Smooth Midtown

Today’s Mompreneur Spotlight is special to me, because she’s Family.

The beautiful Ms. Dedra is my cousin (by marriage). The funny thing is, we’ve never met in person – only on Facebook. But we’ve had this connection. :)

I believe in her, her business, her vision, and her family. She believes in me, my business, my vision and my family. ♥

I could go on and on…I’ll just let you all get to know her!

Without further ado, introducing Mompreneur Dedra A. Allen…

Mompreneur Spotlight - Dedra A. Allen of Salon Smooth - AngelicaKimberly

Dedra of Salon Smooth

What’s the name of your business?

Smooth Salon Midtown of Atlanta, Georgia

What kind of services do you offer?

We offer a genre of hair services from natural hair to relaxed, weaves, locs hair color, etc.

Do you have a personal or business slogan? What does it mean to you?

We have a mission statement and it means everything to me!

Our mission is to beautifully transform the outer appearance and awaken positive energy, confidence, knowledge, health and sexuality throughout the total body!!!

With each client, I make it my business to give my best to them and more! I am constantly looking for ways to improve my business and customer service. A woman, feeling beautiful on the inside, is so important to me. I talk, one-on-one, with each one of my clients and try to form a personal relationship, with them, so they have at least one person they can confide in about inner bugs.

All my clients are beautiful I want them to see what I see!

We are in it to change the game for clients and stylist, we understand all the dynamics of the salon industry, and using our positive and negative experiences we will take the industry to another level!

Mompreneur Spotlight - Dedra A. Allen of Salon Smooth - AngelicaKimberly

Dedra and her beautiful family

How long have you been a Mompreneur?
I have been a Mompreneur for about 19 years and I have loved every second of it! I opened my first salon at the age of 25.

What’s your Mompreneur story? 

I had my first child at 20 and I knew instantly I did not want to spend long hours away from him. I wanted the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of his life and I knew self employment would provide me with that.

After he was born I worked my job a few more months and in August of 1993 I became my own boss 20! I finished beauty school and went to work for my Mentor Bernice Kraft. She taught me about business and hair and how to be professional!

By being my own boss, I am able to raise my three beautiful children. I have more time to attend practices, games, and school functions, without having to get someone else’s permission.

How do you balance your responsibilities, as wife (fiancé), mom, daughter, sister, friend seamlessly? 

I balance this by going with the flow being adaptable to change. Life throws curves and I just give that to GOD. He has equipped me to keep it moving, in any situation I am in. It can be a challenge, but so far I have been able to have it all and do it all! :)

What’s the biggest triumph you’ve experienced as a Mompreneur? How did you celebrate?

My biggest was moving to a new city, building a strong clientele , and I celebrated by opening a salon.

May 5,2012 will be my ONE YEAR anniversary!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve experienced as a Mompreneur? How did you recover?

My biggest challenge was divorce and figuring out how to be a single mom and run a business. I recovered by asking for help, and making a sacrifice by moving to a place where I knew no one and had no clients.

Any words of advice to aspiring or established Mompreneurs?

I would say NO FEAR. Don’t allow your inner fears to stagnate you from pursuing a talent that God has blessed you with.

Plan. Prepare. Pursue.

Hold tight to your Faith!

How can the Ladies of AngelicaKimberly.com stay connected with you?

They can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or RedKeyzMedia (where I have a forum giving beauty and hair tips)

Join me on RedKeyzMedia and receive a free steam treatment($25 value).

Mompreneur Spotlight - Dedra A. Allen of Salon Smooth - AngelicaKimberly

Salon Smooth - New Client Offer

There you have it Ladies – Another Mompreneur who you can glean inspiration from and connect with…

(What she hasn’t told you is that she is a former model, too!)

Dedra will have a giveaway in the coming days!!!

Stay tuned…

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Are you a Mompreneur (or know of a Mommpreneur)? Would like to be featured on AngelicaKimberly.com?
Send me an email to angelica@angelicakimberly.com!

Be sure to include “Mompreneur Spotlight” in the subject line.

I’d love to have you on AngelicaKimberly!
Let’s allow the Mompreneurs of AngelicaKimberly glean from your success, experience, and wisdom! :)

Dance with the King!

 

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Mompreneur Spotlight – Natasha Nicholes of Houseful of Nicholes

So, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful and talented Natasha Nicholes of Houseful of Nicholes. She’s agreed to give us an interview and share her experiences and wisdom with us, Mompreneurs.

Without further ado, introducing…Natasha Nicholes!

Mompreneur Spotlight - Natasha Nicoles of Houseful of Nicholes - AngelicaKimberly

Natasha and her BEAUTIFUL Family! :)

What’s the name of your business?
Houseful Of Stitches

What kind of services do you offer?
Custom created clothing and accessories for children and women – and the men who shop for them.

Mompreneur Spotlight - Natasha Nicoles of Houseful of Nicholes - AngelicaKimberly

Do you have a personal or business slogan? What does it mean to you?
We serve families who want high fashion without the labels.

How long have you been a Mompreneur?
A little less than a year.

What’s your Mompreneur story?
In 2010, I found out that my husband and I were adding twins to our family. Because we cloth diapered, I couldn’t imagine having to buy cloth for two in such a short time frame (the start up is kind of expensive). So I started looking up tutorials to sew my own cloth diapers that would still let my baby bottoms look cute, but have our pockets not as light as they could be.

Diapers led to clothes, clothes led to aprons, and aprons led to purses, wallets, hair accessories. I’ve even done a nursery set for someone. Sewing allows me to still be creative without having to leave my children at a daycare (no judgment to those who do) because for us, it’s a financial block that keeps us from being able to do so. Three under four is a LOT for day care systems.

Mompreneur Spotlight - Natasha Nicoles of Houseful of Nicholes - AngelicaKimberly

How do you balance your responsibilities, as wife (fiancé), mom, daughter, sister, friend seamlessly?
Honestly, with lots of prayer and lower expectations for things.I have come to realize that my house will NOT be clean every single day. I’ve learned that I won’t be able to sew 8 hours straight in the house. I’ve learned to not sweat the small stuff as well. I’m learning a LOT about patience (be careful when you pray for it), due to all of the things that I have to juggle. Most importantly, I’ve learned the value of NO. If it doesn’t increase the value of my life or my family’s life – then we’re usually not doing it.

What’s the biggest triumph you’ve experienced as a Mompreneur? How did you celebrate?
Opening my Etsy Shop, and having people who I had just met at a business retreat order from me. I also completed a nursery set – crib skirt, curtains, sheets and changing pad cover as well. We celebrated with dinner – on ME.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve experiences as a Mompreneur? How did you recover?
My biggest challenge is not being so hard on myself. I can’t sew if I’m stressing myself out. Not to be confused with, I can’t sew if I’m stressed. I’m weird like that. If my brain is jumbled because I’m not giving myself a break, I won’t be good to customers OR myself OR my family.

Mompreneur Spotlight - Natasha Nicoles of Houseful of Nicholes - AngelicaKimberly

Any words of advice to aspiring or established Mompreneurs?
Learn to accept support. My husband helps me by cutting fabric and being with the children on his days off. I’ve learned to delegate things and also trust housecleaning (when it’s done) to my two older children. I may have to train a bit longer, but it will be one less thing that I have to do later down the line.

How can the readers of AngelicaKimberly.com stay connected with you?
You can follow my blog Houseful of Nicholes - I talk about my sewing and all of the other random stuff that happens to our family on a daily basis. I also offer recipes, and DIY that will make things around the house a little brighter or easier.

Mompreneur Spotlight - Natasha Nicoles of Houseful of Nicholes - AngelicaKimberly

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Ladies!

As a special gift , Mrs. Natasha is offering  a 15% discount to readers of AngelicaKimberly!!!
Use the code AngKim15 at checkout
This discount code will expire April 30th.

So get in on this deal, Ladies!
I’m headed over to Houseful of Stitches to shop, right now, as we speak! :)

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Are you a Mompreneur (or know of a Mommpreneur)? Would like to be featured on AngelicaKimberly.com?
Send me an email to angelica@angelicakimberly.com!

Be sure to include “Mompreneur Spotlight” in the subject line.

I’d love to have on AngelicaKimberly!
Let’s allow the Ladies of AngelicaKimberly glean from your success, experience, and wisdom! :)

Dance with the King!

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