Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracci Nelson-Lyon
Hi Tracci, 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 am Tracci, a mother and wife, but above all, a child of God. I live in Redwood Falls, MN with my husband Chris and my son Ethan. We love to create memories together and explore what life has to offer.
Baking has been a part of my life starting as far back as I can remember. My fondest memories growing up involve baking whether that was baking a cake with my grandma, Gertie or decorating cutout sugar & gingerbread cookies with my neighbor, Nancy who became a very important person to me. Both of these women have passed now but they live on within me. I fondly recall these memories and hold them dear to my heart. Now, I bake with my son, Ethan. Ethan is 7 and he loves chocolate chip cookies. He loves to put in extra chocolate chips each time we make a batch of cookies. I hope one day, he too, will enjoy and cherish the time we spend together.
How the business started – well, it was just something I thought I would try. I officially ‘opened’ for business in January 2020 after years and years of baking for friends and family. I asked God to show me the ‘green light’ on this adventure. Couple months in, COVID-19 struck and that’s a story we all know – but I was fearful that this new adventure was going to be shut down too and I wondered if this in fact was God’s ‘red light’. I did not let fear stop me. I created themed DIY cookie decorating kits for families, thinking it would be a good ‘stay at home’ activity. I offered porch drop off to minimize risk & contact. They were a hit and I knew then, I had God’s ‘green light”. It knew it wasn’t going to be easy though – I hustled, networked and worked incredibly hard to provide quality and homemade baked goods to anyone who was willing to try them. Fast forward to now, well, that all still applies – I still work incredibly hard and try to be inventive, clever & creative with what I offer while still delivering a delicious, quality and professional product. However, I want my customers to know how appreciative I am for not just their business but their support & kindness. I would not be where I am today without them. After all, none of this would have been possible without them. Also, I want to give a special shoutout of thanks to my friends and family. You all have allowed me to fly while giving me a safe place to land. Thank you.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the journey has not always been smooth. COVID-19 changed the plan I intitally created. It was a large speed bump in the road but it did not stop me. There are sacrifices one has to make when starting a new business, or well, to continue one too. There is huge time and financial sacrifices along with taking a giant leap of faith. There is worry, there is anxiety, there is a fear of failure, stress and there is a lot of sleepless nights – but being passionate, focused and consistent will keep you going. That is true to my story too. Not everything I do is perfect simply because I am human, and while that bothers me since I am a ‘Type A’ personality / perfectionist, I keep myself grounded with the principles instilled in me. I believe life’s ‘speed bumps’ are simply there to remind us to slow down, evaluate, learn and grow.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe I am most known for the quality & care that I put into my products and my business, For me, it is about the details and those truly do count. I believe I am known for my creative flair and how I apply that to my products. As far as products that I am most known for, I would say are my decorated sugar cookies, cupcakes, and macarons.
What sets me apart – other than my products – my customers mean the world to me. They become very close friends and sometimes family to me. I care about them, their kids, their world and everything & everyone in it. I can recall their favorites, flavor preferences, their names, the names of their kids, etc.. All of these details matter to me.
When people purchase something from a small business – it’s not *only* about the product – it’s also about who they purchase it from. If that encounter is anything but personal, it is memorable for all of the wrong reasons. I want my customers to keep coming back – not just for my business – but rather that they have another person in their circle that they can trust and can have a safe & friendly relationship.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be prepared to work harder than you ever have before. There is a saying that people leave full time jobs to start their own businesses so they don’t have to work 40 hours a week. Well, small business owners work double that or more. There isn’t vacation pay, sick leave, PTO, etc. You do a lot of work often times with little or no gain. You must be willing to sacrifice but if you do not have the support of your friends & family, it will weigh on you and become a heavy burden. I would encourage people to really evaluate and learn about owning a small business before jumping in. Many do not take the time to understand the licenses, laws, taxes, expenses, etc that are involved and jump in too early. It needs to make sense and be profitable before success can come.
Most important tidbit of advice I would give is this: take your time to really master your craft. It is not as simple as mixing ingredients, scooping onto a cookie sheet and baking. Really take your time to master your craft and once you can consistently deliver a top quality, professional product – then explore the next steps.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesugarhivemn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesugarhivemn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesugarhivemn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesugarhivemn
