A few years ago, I think maybe in college, I sat down with my husband, Matt (then boyfriend), and said, “I am a waste of space. I have no talents, no real hobbies… I’m directionless.”
It was a recurring thought I had. So many of my friends can play instruments, sing, write, act, play sports… I liked to do a lot of things, but I felt mediocre at all of them. Once I got to the real world, I was good at my job, but being good at numbers and finance didn’t exactly make me feel like an interesting person. Who wants to talk about leverage multiples at a party? Exactly.
And then somewhere along the line, I found the kitchen, or it found me. It was a place that always made me feel comfortable and at home, a place that I always wanted to be. Growing up, my mom spent hours there. Cooking dinners, baking cookies, making snacks, baking cakes, packing lunches, and baking some more. I’d join her just to talk or even to lend a hand. It was a natural place to be. Send me to anyone’s house for dinner and I immediately find myself immersed in their kitchen with them. I’m just drawn there.
Even when I worked 100-hour weeks as an investment banker, I’d find time to bake and entertain. When my husband ran his first half marathon I made his favorite yellow cake with chocolate icing (which may or may not have been from a box mix at the time). When New Years Eve came around, the dessert menu included truffles, cookies, brownies and more. You may not want to mention the Halloween party where I prepped desserts ahead of time but had to work all that day and Matt got stuck cutting the crudite for the party. Apparently if you don’t want to eat vegetables, you also don’t want to cut them.
My subsequent finance-related job required less hours which meant more time to bake. We hosted Thanksgiving Dinners with our friends where the dessert table was my main focus. How many people were coming? Well that is how many different desserts I would make.
Then, a couple of years ago, my free time opened up. I was looking for a passion again. I saw that my career path wasn’t for me long-term but I had no idea what I really wanted to do. The moment that I am most thankful for is the moment that my sister convinced me that what I needed to do was start a blog. She said I should share my baking and creativity with more than just my friends and family. She said that would help me figure out what I was looking for.
And that was the turning point. My world has come a long way from my first few recipe posts (yikes!). Blogging challenged me to try new things in the kitchen and make my desserts not only taste good, but look good too. I became even more discriminatory in the desserts I would make and the desserts I would eat. There is a whole world of cookbooks, bloggers and cooking shows with magnificent recipes, but you have to know how to weed through the bad ones. I learned to navigate that even better.
So a few months ago, when I was becoming unsatisfied on a professional level, I started to put more effort and passion into baking and into my blog. I met some people that had made careers out of their passions and inspired me. I found myself writing a business plan and thinking about ideas that had been pipe-dreams in the past. Dessert parties. Cookie gift boxes. Catering. All of these ideas whirled around my head in a scary but exciting way. I spent hours analyzing the pros and cons, the risks, the potential unending hours and all the pressure that could come with opening up my own business. There were hours and hours in the kitchen testing recipes, over-salting cookies, throwing away brownies and eating way too many baked goods. If I was going to do this, I was going to do this right.
So here I am, today. And the news that I’ve been wanting to share but keeping secret for what feels like forever is out. I’m scared and overwhelmed, excited, happy and anxious all at the same time. Today I’m telling you that I’m leaving my current job, the career that I went to school for, what I’ve been doing for the last 5 1/2 years, and I am going for it. I’m opening up Keep It Sweet Desserts, a place that will cater dessert parties and ship baked goods as gifts. We will make party favors and cater the sweetest part of your event. I’m living a dream I didn’t know I had.
A few weeks ago, in the midst of planning for Keep It Sweet Desserts, working my current job and running the blog, I had one of my many meltdowns. The roller coaster of emotions that I’ve gone through over the last couple of months can not be explained. But Matt turned to me and he said, “Remember when you didn’t think you were good at anything? Well guess what. You found it. You found your talent, your passion and not only are you able to enjoy it, but now you are going to make it your job. Look at that!”
In the current whirlwind of emotions I need to thank all of you. The comments, the tweets, the facebook messages, the emails, all of it has helped me have the confidence I needed to take this step. To other bloggers out there who have made career changes, written cookbooks or just balanced everything in a seemingly perfect way, you have inspired me. And to my friends and family who have put up with my absence or complaints over the last few months, your support has meant the world to me.
So I hope you follow me on this journey and keep reading. The blog won’t go anywhere, (well, it will move onto a new site when the Keep It Sweet Desserts website is up) and I’ll still be developing, blogging and sharing recipes as much as before.
I had a little inkling that the secret was something like this and I’m SO excited and happy for you!! You have such a talent for creating wonderful desserts and it’s only right that you should share that with the world. I can’t wait to see what a huge, ginormous success this is going to be. You are such an inspiration xxx
Thank you so much, Kathryn! Your comment means a lot to me!
Wow is this a bizarre sense of timing, as I am currently in the process of writing a business plan (which is hard)!!!! Congrats on your new journey!
What a small world! Good luck with your business plan, it really is hard work… but worth it:-)
this is so exciting!!! congratulations :)
i may need to email you soon to bounce ideas off of you. i’m in the same situation.
Thanks, Brandi! Definitely email me:-)
I am super happy for you! Wishing you sweet success and the fulfillment of your dreams. What better time than NOW to go for it!! Looking forward to coming along for the ride. Congratulations!
Thank you for another kind comment, Sandra! I agree, now seems to be the best time:-)
Love you and proud of you.
Ditto. I love you and am proud of you too!
Me too me too!!!
Love all three of you!
Congratulations Lauren! That’s such exciting news! Best wishes and much success in your new career!
Thank you so much, Amber!
So exciting, I wish you the best on this journey!
Thank you, Krissy!
CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so happy you’re making this move – – you’re right, it’s both scary but so much more exciting. You truly are an inspiration to me for taking this step. I would LOVE the stop working full time, and dive into baking for others and developing my blog as a job. I’m far too scared though, and I think there is far too much at risk. We’ll see though, I hope one day I can have the faith and trust that you have.
You’re going to be amazing – – in fact, you already are amazing. Just keep doing what you’re doing xox
Thank you so much for that comment, it really means a lot! And I bet you will figure it out… I have been thinking about it for a while and felt like it was finally the right time:-)
Congratulations! Following your dream = you rock :)
Thank you, Melissa!
CONGRATS! Let us know what we can do to get your new adventure going!
Thanks, Rachel! I really appreciate that!
That. Is. Awesome. Congratulations! Your story is definitely an inspiration to me. Have a lovely day! :)
Thank you so much, Arbine!
Congratulations!!! I am so, so happy whenever I read about a fellow food blogger ditching the corporate world and living their dream :) I wish you all the best!
Thank you, Maggie. That is so nice!
Congrats, dear sweet Lauren! I am so excited for you and for what the future holds for Keep It Sweet Desserts! You have much to celebrate and be proud of today! :)
Thanks, Madison- for all of your support!
wow, congratulations!! That is AWESOME! So excited for you. I hope you write all about it, because I would love to read! :)
Thanks, Megan! I will definitely will share my experience on the blog:-)
Congrats and good luck! It takes a lot of guts to do what you did, and I fully admire that!
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me!
congrats. i’ve totally felt the same way about not being good at anything. i’m totally excited for you!!!
Thank you, Christina! I appreciate that!!
Lauren, congratulations!! I love this post and I am so happy for you. Good luck with the new business. I’m looking forward to reading more and supporting you in the future! xo
Thank you so much, Bianca!
Wow, congratulations! That’s amazing. You’re living my dream. :)
Oh, and that conversation you had with your husband is the same one I have monthly with mine. And I didn’t know that you used to be an investment banker! That’s what my husband wants to do and I find this very depressing and horrible.
Anyway, I’m super happy for you and wish your business the best. And like others have already said, you’re really an inspiration.
Thanks, Erin!
It seems like there are quite a few of us who have had those feelings. And good luck to your husband, I hope he finds a job with some good work life balance for you both:-)
Wow! Congratulations! There is something to said for loving what you do!
Thank you so much, I am excited:-)
Ahh!! Congratulations!! This is so exciting! I think it’s so inspiriational that you’re going for your dream. Not enough people have the guts to do that! Looking forward to reading all about your journey :D
Thank you so much, Liz!
I am SO proud of you!!!!!! Well, I’ve always been SO proud of you!!!!! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! To take control of one’s life is never an easy task. And you’re doing it! With all the promise the world can hold, that’s what I’m wishing for you! Congratulations Lauren!!!!!!
I love you!
Love you, couldn’t do this without you!
Congratulations on following your passions and dreams. Can’t wait to see you continue to grow!
Thank you so much, Jeanette!
Congratulations! Also, you were never a waste of space, I’m sure of that. And I’d talk quantitative stuff with you at a party anytime.
Haha my old boss emailed me to tell me he always talks leverage multiples at parties lol. Thanks, Victoria!
Congratulations on following your dreams, that’s really the only way to make them reality, and I know you’ll be a great success! Having passion and talent always equals success and you certainly have them both!
All the best in your new adventure!
Dennis
Thank you so much, Dennis! That comment really was so thoughtful and nice.
That’s fantastic! I’ve just had the first inkling of the desire to do the same thing. Although, it’ll probably never happen and I actually do enjoy my job (for now at least) I thought it would be awesome to turn this passion into a pursuit. For now, can’t wait to order yummy treats straight from your kitchen!
Someone once said, “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Seems appropriate.
Best of luck!
Thank you, Rachel! I do love that quote:-) And I hope you continue to enjoy your job!
Oh my gosh!! That is so incredible!! Congratulations! This post made me a little teary eyed, because I am currently in your shoes of not being happy with where I’m at career wise, and have always wanted to take that leap but am too scared. Good for you!! I wish you all the success in the world!
Thank you so much, Steph! I’d be happy to talk to you if you ever want. It has been a tough last several months for me but I’m really excited to take this step.
Amazing!! I’m thrilled for you. You’re bringing back memories of how I once wanted to do that too. Maybe you’ll inspire me to look into that again in the coming years. Can’t wait to hear and see more!! :) Good luck with the new adventure.
Thank you, Rachel! And you totally could do it too!
Congratulations! This is so exciting! Best of luck on your new endeavor!
Thank you, Stephanie!
Lauren that is incredible! I can only imagine how scared yet exhilarated you must feel! I have to admit, even though I love science I am not convinced I will be sitting at a lab bench for the rest of my life (and I haven’t even finished my PhD yet – 1.5 more years…). But I don’t know what else I would do (right now I’m thinking teach a Genetics course at a non-research school). People (including my boss) tell me I should look into pursuing food more but it makes me nervous, it just doesn’t seem rational from the place I am at the moment. But who knows maybe one day I will see the light ;-) Congrats again!
Thank you so much, Erin! It sounds like you have time to figure things out and when you complete your PhD you will have a ton of options!
you go girl! i’m constantly dreaming of business ideas that I have yet to take action on, so i’m impressed. best of luck on your next big adventure!
Thank you so much, Caitlin!
P.S. I also totally admire you for doing this. That took a lot of guts.
CONGRATS!!! This is so amazing Lauren. You are doing what so many other food bloggers only dream of and your so blessed to be able to make the plunge and fulfill your dream. :D I hope everything goes smoothly in the transition and look forward to following you the whole way!
Thank you, Lauren! That comment means a lot to me!
Congratulaations!! I can relate to this post almost 100% I wish you all the success you need. We only get one life and we should really do all we can to make us happy even if it’s a little risky. I also have something which I’m trying to roll out but theres so much involved, I’ll get there, the last thing I want to do is rush it :)
Take care…
Thanks again for the nice comment and tweet, Gerry!
Congratulations!!!! I want to jump up and down for you! Sooooo exciting!
You seriously made me smile, Thanks Katrina!
I’m super pumped for your new adventure! I think this post is probably a bit close to home for most of us ‘food bloggers.’ It’s so awesome to see a dream turning into a reality and I can’t wait to hear more about it! You are talented and gifted, your husband is right. keep him around ;)
Thanks, Julie! I think I will:-)
CONGRATS!! So so so excited for you :)
Thanks, Jess!!
This is so awesome, Lauren! It takes so much faith and trust to do something like this and I wish you nothing but the best. I’m so excited to hear about this journey!! Many many congratulations!
Thank you so much, Cassie!
Congratulations!! I’m so proud of you!! As someone who spent many years in the accounting field I wish I had the gumption and courage to do what you are doing. Yes, there will be challenges… lots of them. But when you sit back so many years from now you will be able to say “I did it!”, and I know you are going to be happy.
I never went back to accounting after I had my kids and it wasn’t until I was in my 40’s that I started blogging. For me it’s a hobby, too many other things pull at my attention, but like you I enjoy it so much.
Congratulations again! I’ve been waiting to find out what the news was and I couldn’t be happier for you!
Thank you for such a nice comment, Kim! That really means a lot to me and I couldn’t do this without the support of everyone in our community here!
That is SO wonderful! Congratulations – I know you’re excited….and I’m thrilled for you!
Thank you so much, Ann!
Life is too short to do what you are not passionate about. I congratulate you on going after your dream–many of us never take that first step but you already have. I wish you well–looking forward to you sharing the adventures of this next chapter in your life. :)
Thank you Jean, that was such a nice comment!
yay! congratulations! this is SO exciting!!! Can’t wait to hear about your new adventure!
Thank you so much!
This is very exciting. I am so happy for you. I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you so much, Emily!
Lauren!!!!!!!!!
I’m so proud of you!
I really enjoyed reading this post and hearing your point of view. You are so talented, and you’re going to go far! When you do what you love, success flows your way :)
Thank you again a million times!
YOU GO GIRL!!! I can tell you I think that’s everyone’s dream & you will be added to my list of inspirement ;) wishing you all the best, I’m sure you’ll knock their socks off!
Thank you so much, Michelle!!
Holy cow!! That’s amazing, congratulations and all the best luck in the world! And will you ship across the US? *happy face*
Thank you, Kiri! And I will definitely be shipping across the US:-)
you’re so inspiring – CONGRATS HON!!!
Thanks again, Lynn!!
Congratulations!!! That is so amazing-I’m extremely happy for you. I love the idea of your business! Lots and lots of the best wishes :)
Thank you so much, Kayle!
Congrats! I have no doubt you will be amazing, considering the quality of your posts :-)
Thank you, that means so much to me!
ahhhh!!!!! i knew it!!!! so excited for you!!!!! xoxo
Haha love it! Thanks, Lindsay!
I wish you all the best. You are a GREAT baker! You are amazingly comfortable and at home in the kitchen. Keep It Sweet Desserts will be a great success!
Thank you, love you!