Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Smith.
Hi Paula, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband Peter and I formed P&P Catering in 2016, but we both worked full-time jobs and really did not put much work into it other than making dinner for family and friends on occasion. We really didn’t see it as a business. I was working as a Center Coordinator in a local university and have been in Higher Education for over 20 years. However, in November 2020, as I was in quarantine and working from home, the Lord impressed on my heart to start selling Sweet Treats. Although I baked for family gatherings and such over the years, it was not something I did regularly. Following the Lord’s leading, I came up with 4 items that I would offer – 2 breads and 2 puddings. So I created a flyer with my menu and shared on social media. The support I received from family and friends was incredible! Although I wasn’t sure how I believed that God wanted me to grow this into a real business. The decision was made at the university for me to return to the office full-time, but both my husband and I had strong feelings about that, and we were not sensing that was the right thing for me to do. After much prayer, we felt that it was time for me to resign from my position and sell Sweet Treats full-time. This was exciting and scary at the same time, but we believed this was the direction God was leading us to go in. Therefore, a short time later, I left my job and began the journey of catering Sweet Treats.
After doing much research last year and making many phone calls, I figured out what was needed to start a business at home, I was also busy testing various recipes to build on my menu. The company was officially launched in July 2021. (website coming soon) The menu has gone from a humble beginning of 4 items to now over 30 items…and counting. My husband still works a 9-5 job, but he is very supportive and helps whenever he can. I do all the baking and also manage all the purchasing, marketing and advertising. It takes a great amount of time and effort, and my hours are often from sun up until past midnight. I tell people all the time that I have never worked this hard in my life, and I have been working for over 40 years! Even though that is true, I have also never done anything more satisfying and rewarding! It is truly a joy! I don’t really feel like I’m “working”. One of the things I love most is that no two days are alike. Every day is an adventure now. I never knew life could be so “sweet”! 🙂
I had a desire to one day have a Pop Up Shop, and this Summer God provided an opportunity for me to start my Pop Up Shop at Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe. I also Pop Up now at JoJo Fritay Haitian Cuisine. The restaurant owners have been so gracious, and I enjoy meeting their customers who have also quickly become my customers. I continue to look for other local restaurants and businesses in the area to partner with. We were invited to be a part of Atlanta Bless Gospel Concert in Snellville this Summer which was our first event. Since then, we were also blessed to be a part of Taste of Acworth and Taste of Kennesaw-where we won the award for Best Dessert. It has been an amazing experience!
I have learned so many lessons over the past year, and I absolutely love what I do. The feeling I have when customers say they enjoy my sweet treats is indescribable. I have met so many wonderful people that I would not have met otherwise. God continues to give us favor, increase and great contacts, and we are so grateful!
Select Sweet Treats are currently available by the slice Thursday – Saturday weekly. Order whole treats 3 days in advance with payment. Contact us for restaurant pick-up locations. 980-222-1128
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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of the most challenging aspects was trying to determine what is needed to start a home-based business in GA, I spent countless hours making phone calls, doing research and speaking with other business owners trying to get answers. It was not an easy process.
Another challenge I faced is in the area of technology. I am so thankful for my daughter Brittney. She has been instrumental in me having a social presence. In some ways I am old school, but she has helped me to grow and develop skills that are critical to running a successful business. She has endured countless questions with patience and provided me with “how to” videos to help me along the way.
I also learned the true meaning of living by faith. Having a guaranteed biweekly salary does not really require faith. But going from that, which is all I have ever known, to not knowing how many sales I would make in a week – if any – for income was not easy at first. However, the Lord has shown me that I can trust Him as my Provider. He has had to remind me often that selling sweet treats is not my source. He is my source. That is simply one of the many ways that He provides. He has proved to be faithful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although all our treats are amazing, the most requested are our Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Orange Olive Oil Cake, Carrot Cake, Rum Cake, Bread Pudding, Zucchini Coconut Bread, Lemon Blueberry Bread, Gluten Free Carrot Cake and Gluten Free Banana Cranberry Muffins.
People often ask what is the secret to our amazing sweet treats. I tell them that every treat has two main ingredients: love and prayer. While baking, I am usually listening to worship music or a sermon or just meditating on the Word of God.
A little more about us – I am an associate pastor, singer, songwriter, and Peter and I started another business last year: P&P Publishing Company. Our record label is Three Strands Productions, and Peter produced my first single Lead Me To Calvary which was released this past Easter. We are currently working on the release of my first single as a songwriter called Meditate. I also started a third business – At the Center Creations – where I provide custom and rental centerpieces and table decor for events as well as home decor, staging and redesigning services. My YouTube Channel was started this year: The Gospel Experience with Paula Smith. Life is wonderfully busy! I also run Helping Hands Food Pantry and Clothes Closet Outreach Ministry at Acworth Grace Fellowship Church, where we serve our community by providing free food and clothes once a month.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best is the diversity. I am from Jamaica and I enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting people from different cultures. I studied foreign languages in high school and college and speak German and Spanish.
What I like least is the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: pandp_catering
- Facebook: @1jamaicancuisine
- Youtube: The Gospel Experience with Paula Smith
