Meet Kirsten Schreuders | Baker & Multitasking Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kirsten Schreuders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirsten, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
As a mom and an entrepreneur, I believe you can make the biggest impact through teaching and leading by example. One of the most important things I’ve done for my kids is showing them the importance of perseverance, not only in the day to day but more importantly in following your dreams. During the COVID pandemic, my husband and I, like many families, struggled to juggle working two fulltime jobs while caring for our children. Ultimately, we made the very the difficult decision for me to take a step back in my career in order to focus on taking care of our kids. As the lockdowns ended, schools returned to in person learning, and we welcomed our 3rd child, I came to a personal crossroad of what to do next in my career. It would have been easy to return to working in clinical research but I wanted to explore something I had been dreaming about for a while, starting my own business. What started out as a hobby and holiday family fun slowly turned into a custom cookie decorating business. But, turning your passion into a business is never as simple as that and comes with its share of challenges. There are plenty of days where I just want to give up, but I want to show my children, especially my daughters that it’s essential to believe in yourself and to have the courage to pursue your passion, even when faced with discouraging obstacles. I want to teach them the value of hard work and the satisfaction that comes from turning your passion into a successful business; empowering them to believe in themselves and know that they can pursue their dreams, no matter how ambitious those dreams may be.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sugared by Kirsten specializes in crafting beautiful and delicious sugar cookies for any occasion. What truly sets me apart is the level of customization and attention to detail I put into each batch that I make. It’s essentially a collaboration between myself and the customer to create a cookie as unique and special as their event. Drawing on my engineering background, along with my creativity and passion for baking, allows me to transform a customer’s vision into reality.

My business journey evolved from filling my own personal needs; planning for holiday events and family birthdays. Disappointed by the pretty but tasteless birthday and party treats available, I took matters into my own crafting hands. My first official client was a close friend looking for custom “Friends” themed graduation cookies. Her request came as “hey you’re my crafty friend and you know how to bake…” The challenge ignited a spark inside me and I knew then that I wanted to turn this cookie decorating pastime into a business. A business that would not only meet my creative and crafty needs but that would allow me the flexibility to take care of my kids while also generating some income.

Like anyone starting something new, every business encounters challenges. One particular challenge I faced was transitioning as a home baker for family and friends to scaling up recipes and production from dozens to hundreds of cookies. Baking a 300 cookie donation to the ICA in Encinitas tested the limits of my home kitchen, forcing me to be innovative and learn new techniques without sacrificing the quality and detail I pride myself on.

I’ve learned some valuable lessons along the way, most importantly, you don’t have to have everything planned and mapped out perfectly to take that first step; you just need courage. Embrace the mistakes you make along the way because, ultimately, they help you to grow both personally and within your business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego is truly an incredible destination. It is a melting pot brimming with cultural diversity influencing food, music, art and much more. I moved to San Diego, from New Jersey 15+ years ago. There are so many hidden gems and iconic landmarks that even after all this time, I feel like there is still so much to explore and discover. I love to kick off a Saturday morning at the farmer’s market in Little Italy. Grab a raclette sandwich from Charcuterie and Truffle and munch on this delightful melted cheesy goodness as we wander through the unique shops and food stands. In the plaza, near the end of the market, you can sip on Bloody Marys while people watching, taking in the morning sun and buzz all around. Next head off to explore Balboa Park, a cultural oasis that boasts beautiful gardens, inspiring museums, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Just outside of Balboa Park in Bankers Hill, is Barrio Star where you can snack on some homemade chips and salsa, delectable tacos, and wash it all down with a refreshing margarita. After a stroll through Mission Hills, just north of downtown, home to some of San Diego’s most historic homes, head over for happy hour at Fort Oak – finishing off the day with $1 oysters and the most well-crafted martini I’ve ever sipped on!

It goes without saying that you can’t visit San Diego without a trip to the beach. There are so many amazing trails to hike but one of my favorites by far is Torrey Pines State Park. You get the best of both worlds, challenging hiking with stunning ocean views and the fresh ocean air – it’s the perfect way to kick off your morning, leaving you invigorated for the day. After burning all those calories, you’ve earned a well-deserved brunch in Del Mar at the Monarch. Sip on a Delmosa and savor any of the delicious bites Monarch has to offer from Fried Chicken Tenders with Hawaiian donuts to Macadamia Pancakes, satisfying any post-hike cravings.

Next embark on an adventure, grabbing a couple of kayaks to explore the enigmatic La Jolla Sea Caves. The tranquil beauty of these natural wonders will leave a lasting impression. Afterwards, indulge in a sweet treat at Scoops Ice Cream where they offer a variety of classic and vegan options that are all so tasty, it’s hard to just choose one!

As the sun begins to set, take a leisurely stroll on the beach, making your way to Jake’s for a sumptuous dinner of fresh seafood and coastal flavors, all while taking in gorgeous beach views.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to give a big shoutout to my husband for his endless support and unwavering faith in my ability to succeed. No matter how crazy our lives get juggling family and work, he prioritizes making space for me to focus on my craft and continuing to build my business. He can often be found sitting next to me flooding cookies at midnight even if he’s beyond exhausted.

My close friends/mom community also deserve a huge thanks. They were some of my first customers and have supported me from the start; helping to promote my business to all of their friends and family. Never doubt the power of the mom community, it is strong and vast and I’m so fortunate to be part of such an amazing group of brilliant, independent, tireless, master multitasking women!

Website: https://www.sugaredbykirsten.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugaredbykirsten/