Community Highlights: Meet Jenna Vavrasek of Sweet Jen’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Vavrasek.

Hi Jenna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started baking as a hobby around 7 years ago. I would bake cakes for small get togethers and my family’s birthdays. I’ve always loved to be creative, so it naturally became a passion of mine. Every time I created a cake everyone would always tell me to take it more seriously and look into turning it into a business, but I had a lot of self doubt in my talent. Three years ago I posted birthday cupcakes on my social media that I did for my niece and I received a lot of positive feedback. That was the official start of my passion becoming my business. I received my first order of those exact cupcakes. At that time, I was still working my day job as a waitress and would only bake for the weekend. As my business grew and the amount of orders were getting overwhelming, I decided it was time to focus solely on building my business in 2021.

It was a nerve-wracking decision to make but has been the most rewarding decision I’ve made.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. My first year was very difficult. I didn’t have much of a clientele or social media following at that point so I struggled for many weeks. I doubted my talent. Financially, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to turn it into a full time business. It took a lot out of me to work my serving job then go straight into my kitchen. I struggled a lot with making time for myself and my family. It’s actually something I still struggle with. I try to fulfill all inquiries. It’s been hard learning to say no and that my plate is too full. But I have gotten better with setting a limit so I can balance my business and my personal life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am an at home baker. I specialize in custom cakes and cupcakes for all occasions. From weddings and baby showers to character cakes and birthday cakes. Every cake I get the honor to create, I make sure that it is something I am proud of. I have a very high standard for myself and the work that I put out. I am a perfectionist so I pay attention to every detail. Not only do I make sure my cakes look beautiful, but I also make sure that every bite is equally delicious. I have come a long way and every day and every cake I try to improve my craft. I’m proud of my growth. From where I started to where I am today is a huge difference. I always try to push my skills and try new techniques. 2021 has been a huge blessing and I look forward to the upcoming year and to one day have a storefront. So be on the lookout for a Sweet Jen’s sign.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
When the pandemic hit, I was no exception to the businesses that were affected. I was still in the beginning stages of building my clientele and making a name for myself. When the world shut down and we had to Quarantine, the need for cakes wasn’t top of the list of essentials. Birthday parties and events were canceled, so many cake orders had to be canceled or downsized. Extra precautions had to be taken to ensure my safety as well as the customers. Covid definitely taught me to be prepared for any and everything.