Today we’d like to introduce you to Schauntrel Calixte.
Hi schauntrel, 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?
honestly , it wasn’t my intentions on starting a full blown sweets business. my VERY first time dipping strawberries was for my aunts birthday. i had little to no knowledge of dipping sweets even though i did culinary my entire 4 yrs of high school 2 of them being at technical college. just because we worked more on the savory gourmet side of the kitchen. but i knew i wanted to do something nice for my aunt so i dipped wet strawberries in warm chocolate, not knowing the chocolate would seize up on me. even though they looked ugly , i kept going , slapped some pearl sprinkles on them & put them in OVERSIZED cupcake liners . so just imagine small , ugly strawberries in cupcake liners that are too big . but from there i just became determined to perfect my craft & once i mastered that , i set out to dip other things . then i got bored just dipping , so i called my grandma for my great grandmas recipe book & from there i started baking things bigger than chocolate covered treats .
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
it hasn’t been the smoothest road . i was an adult early . Meaning my mom was sick in 2013 , which forced me to step up & look after my brother while my dad was trucking . once my mom successfully beat cancer no one knew we would have another sickness to beat . my dad ended up being diagnosed with stage3 kidney failure , which prompted me to make the decision once i graduated highschool to stay home instead of going off to be close & help take care of him . i chose to attend seminole state to get my A.A & eventually go off into the nursing program. We dealt with his sickness for a while until he recently just got a transplant in 2024. I seen days where my dad was loosing hope in being a kidney recipient. years of dialysis , not being able to eat what he wanted , & just being poked played a part in tearing my dads spirit down . so when i wasn’t at work , i was home dipping treats & trialing recipes while monitoring him while my mom was at work & my brother was at school .
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
i am a big over thinker, i’m extremely hard on myself . i don’t see myself how others see me . i take constructive criticism very well despite my demeanor.
Pricing:
- chocolate covered strawberries starting at $20.00
- cupcakes starting at $25.00 for 1/2 a dozen
- cookies starting at $12.00 for 4 or $3/ea.
- banana pudding pans starting at $35.00
- gourmet bundt cakes starting at $65.00
Contact Info:
Image Credits
some photos may be water marked with photo grid on it
