Today we’d like to introduce you to April Hatcher.
Hi April, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is nothing short of a REAL miracle. Basically, I went to sleep one night and woke up the next day with the ability to bake. I know that can be difficult to believe and understand but my story is true. Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who trusts in Him.
I was a bartender at the top of the pandemic and the hospitality industry was one of the first industries to be let go. So there I was, a Clark Atlanta University graduate not doing anything with my film production degree after getting denied twice by USC for the MFA program. My real estate license was inactive and I had no plan or sense of direction for what my next plan was going to be but I knew I was chosen to do something amazing.
The pandemic allowed me to sit still and get in tuned with my mind, body and spirit. In August of 2020, I went to sleep and had a literal dream that I could bake cheesecake. Although the details are now foggy, I feel as if someone I was spiritually familiar with was teaching me and telling me, “this is the path you will take to lead you to the rest of your success.”
The next day I woke up and bought my first baking pan ever and with no real recipe, made my first cheesecake. I was completely shocked because I used to burn pull apart cookies. My own love for cake is what intrigued and inspired me to learn and create my own cake recipes. I was determined to never buy a cake again and I taught myself all of my recipes that are baked from scratch.
I recently looked back and see how many times cake has been apart of many important or special moments in my life. I once placed a “two week notice” on a cake. From elementary to middle school, my mom and I would have “tea parties” all of the time before school and once I reached high school, she would buy a cake every week and we would take turns having “birthdays.” (Yes, those are only child privileges). I cherish those memories and I’m so blessed to be able to create meaningful moments and memories for my customers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey or shall I say my miracle, was unexpected and happened so quickly that I have not fully had a chance to comprehend all that has happened in just one year. I am growing at such a rapid rate that I have completely neglected self-care and all social activities.
There are days I do not sleep, sometimes three days in a row. I have slept on my kitchen floor to avoid oversleeping. I get overwhelmed periodically because I have so much I want to accomplish. I forget to eat and drink fluids. I work almost every minute of everyday and I’m learning how unhealthy that is.
I have lost friends that don’t understand why I am unable to hang out. I am learning patience everyday and to be kind to myself and proud of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. Most people don’t have this type of buzz or loyal repeat clientele so soon.
When I finally decided to work for myself full-time in October 2020, I did not have a savings, a plan, a strategy, nothing. I simply made a decision to “run off of the plantation and never look back.” Was that ideally the best thing to do? No. But, if we wait for the perfect moment, we eventually convince ourselves that the moment will never come and whether we believe we can or cannot, both are true.
My mom, Jerri Hatcher, has made tremendous sacrifices to support my dream. She is my therapist, cheerleader, financial investor, spiritual counselor, sometimes lawyer, my one employee (who does not get paid but rather funds the business when needed) and much more.
I feel guilty at times that I get to live out a dream while she has to be sensible to sometimes support the both of us. She gave me her wings to fly but that pushes me more because it IS my duty to make sure she will never want for anything ever again. It means so much to me that she fully supports me and she is why I refuse to give up under any circumstances.
I have also learned humility and the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone to ask for assistance. God wants us to ask for His help and guidance and to believe that all things are possible. It took me a long time to learn that He works through people and not asking for assistance was delaying me from receiving the same things I was asking God to provide. Asking for assistance is still something I struggle with but every time I do ask, I am reminded why it is important.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love to emphasize that I make Everything from scratch. My specialty is cheesecake; however, I’m known for items such as my red velvet cake, classic pound cake, strawberry crunch cake and as of recently, my red velvet cake with an Oreo cheesecake bottom. I am so blessed to have been given this gift.
Everyday I learn something new and then I reimagine it and try something different. Desserts and treats are such broad categories that I don’t ever see myself getting bored or not being able to create new items. In fact, my imagination is having a great time running wild and free.
I have so many desserts, treats and recipe ideas that it will take years for me to reveal them all. I have lemonade flavors, popcorn, popsicles, ice cream, cakes, candy, cookies and much more that will eventually be able live in the world and not my overcrowded, overly creative mind. It’s almost as if Willy Wonka met the Black Little Debbie and decided to work through me.
I also offer gluten-free and vegan options. I’m really proud of that and I thoroughly enjoy when someone with an allergy or dietary preference tells me how grateful they were to have been able to have one cake with one great taste that everyone could enjoy and ask for seconds.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I hope my story inspires so many people as I feel I am still living a dream. I recently discovered that I have been chosen to be a vending baker at the New Black Wall Street Market. Anything is possible to those who believe.
To anyone who is unsure of what may be next for them or if they should listen to that voice that is keeping them awake at night with that idea, I would like to say “what do you have to lose.” The worst thing that could happen may actually lead you to your next step forward.
One day my mom told me to go to Piedmont park and sell me cakes. I went and everyone said no. That same week I rode past a BBQ food truck and noticed they did not sell desserts. I decided to ask the owner if I could come and sell my cake to his customers.
I no longer had fear of the word “no.” It became my own personal inside joke. “Let me ask so they can say, ‘“No.’” To my surprise he said, “Yes.” He even allowed me to accompany him as an extension of his business for Six Flags Over Georgia, “Brew and Bites” festival.
I am a first-time entrepreneur that had a dream and had the audacity to believe that I could do it even though past experiences had proven differently. I am self-taught but I am held together by a village. My mom Jerri Hatcher, Stan Andrews of Stan’s Smoke Signal BBQ, Carla Figaro of the Figaro Effect, Keeyah Johnson of the Elefant Group, Nicole Foster, Donte Rose of DRose photography, Toni Brown of Bar 90, Cherrell P., Desmond Harris, Brian Taylor of G.O.A.L Hats, CeCee Parrish of Euphoric Sensations, Samira Smith, Rita-Ashley C. Of Cupcakes by Rita, Sylvia Pitts, Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., and my entire circle are why I am able to stand here today. Without them, without God, it is impossible!!!
Contact Info:
- Email: Shweetbabytreats@gmail.com
- Instagram: Shweetbabytreats
Image Credits
Donte Rose IG: @donterose
