Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Merriweather.
Cheryl, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The kitchen has always been a cornerstone in my life, because I come from a large southern family that loves to eat. From standing on a stool in my grandmother’s kitchen sifting flour for homemade biscuits, to watching my mom prepare desserts for holiday dinners, my passion for baking started when I was just a little girl. My passion emerged from me licking the pound cake batter off the mixers as a child to taking decorating classes as a young adult in order to perfect my skills and here I am now, ready to share my passion in life with you.
I started out just baking birthday cakes for friends and family. Seeing their facial expressions after taking a bite was so rewarding. I would always accept the compliments on the cakes moist texture and dreamy taste but I had forever ignored the comment, “Cheryl why don’t you start your own cake business”. I never wanted my love for baking to turn into a job, but not until recently have I realized that if it’s your true passion it will never feel like work. I spent over nine years working in the health and fitness field and after being laid off in 2013, I decided it was time to pursue a career in the one thing that I have loved my whole life – Baking. In January 2014, I decided to introduce the world to The Sweetest Touch.
As a Program Manager in the health and fitness field, I was privileged to work with a very diverse group of individuals and even assist those with different ailments. I learned that my passion in life could be beneficial to them as well. With this in mind, The Sweetest Touch also offers a variety of gluten-free and sugar-free sweets that diabetics and weight conscious individuals can enjoy without feeling guilty. This journey to starting my own business has proven that it is possible to have a career doing something you love and enjoy.
After two very successful years with The Sweetest Touch I decided it was time for a change. I noticed that my desire to create and design customized cakes was growing stronger and stronger. It took me back to when I was a kid and I would love to draw pictures of animals and people to see if I could duplicate what I was looking at. I didn’t realize that I still had this talent until I started to receive different cake requests orders that challenged my creativity. I felt that The Sweetest Touch needed a new identity, one that would be UNFORGETTABLE! In February 2016, I decided to change my business name to Unforgettables. I’m so excited about this new journey and I look forward to creating numerous unforgettable sweets that you’ll always remember.
Has it been a smooth road?
I must say the scariest moment in my life was making the decision to start my own business. I knew nothing about being an entrepreneur, so this was definitely going to be a new adventure for me.
Of course, being an entrepreneur, you go through tough times so I have fallen, gotten back up, fallen again and gotten back up. I had to understand that as long as I’m challenging myself I will continue to fall. The most important part about falling is making sure I understand why I fell, learn from it and grow. The number one goal I have with Unforgettables is growth.
I hate roller coasters with a passion and I feel that a roller coaster is very similar to owning a business, it has its ups and downs, quick turns, scary moments and can be very intimidating but I can truly say that Unforgettables is a ride that I never want to end.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Unforgettables is a sweets company that specializes in customized cakes and treats. My passion lies in being creative. I’ve always loved to draw and I’ve always loved sweets so I said why not just combine the two and specialize in customized treats.
Recently I ventured out and started a 12 Week Summer Video Series called Follow My Cakes. This series gives you an inside look into the day to day life of a Baker, shows you what Unforgettables is up to and offers quick and fun tutorials that you can do at home with your family and friends. The final episode airs on September 28. You can watch all 12 episodes on my facebook page or my youtube page.
Stay tuned to see what’s next for Unforgettables!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I feel that Atlanta is definitely a great place for a business owner in my industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unforgettablesatl.com
- Phone: 678-485-0224
- Email: unforgettablesatl@gmail.com
- Instagram: @unforgettablesatl
- Facebook: @unforgettablesatl
- Youtube: Unforgettables
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Image Credit:
OneEyeUp
Sweet Fest
9Photography
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