Share your name with everyone
STACEY LYNN TRBOVICH
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in the area?
PITTSBURGH, PA AND I HAVE LIVED IN KINGWOOD FOR 15 YEARS
Tell us about your business.
STACEY’S SWEETS IS A COOKIE EMPIRE THAT I STARTED BUILDING IN DEC 2012. I WAS A COUPLE YEARS DIVORCED, WORKING FULL TIME WITH A FINANCE DEGREE BUT NOT MAKING ENOUGH TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I DID SOME SUPER DEEP SOUL SEARCHING AND PRAYING BECAUSE I WASN’T HAPPY AND KNEW I HAD MORE TO OFFER THE WORLD. WITHIN A WEEK’S TIME THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT WERE EATING MY COOKIE BOMBS SAID “IF YOU SOLD THESE, I WOULD BUY THEM”. I SAW THAT AS A GIANT SLEDGEHAMMER MOMENT FROM THE UNIVERSE AND TOOK THE LEAP AND FORMED STACEY’S SWEETS.
What brought you to do your business?
FINANCIAL NEEDS AND A DESIRE TO DO MORE WITH MY LIFE.
When did the idea of creating your business start? How long have you been in business?
I STARTED IN DEC 2012 AND I’M NOW IN MY 8TH YEAR. HOWEVER, I HAD BEEN BAKING MY ORIGINAL CHOCOLATE CHIP BOMBS FOR AROUND 15 YEARS AT THAT POINT.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?
THE ONLY PERSON I HAVE TO ANSWER TO IS MYSELF. MY COMPANY IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF HOW MUCH WORK I PUT INTO IT. I LOVE MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY WITH MY CREATIONS. I REALLY ENJOY THE FACT THAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG OR A CUSTOMER ISN’T HAPPY, I HAVE THE POWER TO FIX THE SITUATION AND MAKE SURE THE CUSTOMER IS COMPLETELY SATISFIED. I DON’T THINK YOU GET THAT MUCH CONTROL WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
You work full time somewhere else as well, Could you tell us a little bit about that?
I’VE ALWAYS HAD “SIDE HUSTLES” WHILE BUILDING THIS COMPANY. CURRENTLY, I AM AN EXECUTIVE RECRUITER FOR A GLOBAL COMPANY AS WELL AS A PETSITTER.
How many kids and how old are they?
MY DAUGHTER IS 21 AND ABOUT TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND MY SON IS 19 AND A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE. THEY HAVE BOTH SACRIFICED A LOT WHILE I BUILD THIS BUSINESS. THE THING THAT MAKES ME HAPPY IS THEY BOTH WORK VERY HARD AT EVERYTHING THEY DO AND I LIKE TO THINK THEY GOT THAT FROM WATCHING THEIR MAMA.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
CREATING NEW FLAVORS AND INTERACTING WITH MY HAPPY CUSTOMERS! PLUS DRIVING MY AMAZING COOKIE TRUCK, BIG BOOTY BLANCHE!
What does the future look like for you and your business?
WHEN I STARTED STACEY’S SWEETS, I HONESTLY HAD NO CLUE WHAT I WAS DOING BUT I DID KNOW, FROM THE BEGINNING, I NEVER WANTED TO STAY SMALL. I HAVE VERY LARGE DREAMS FOR THIS COMPANY AND I’VE LEARNED TO BE PATIENT AND JUST ENJOY THE JOURNEY, TRULY. THAT DOESN’T MEAN I DON’T GET FRUSTRATED OR IMPATIENT (BELIEVE ME) BUT I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH SO I RELY HEAVILY ON FAITH.
What advice would you give to others that want to start something new?
DON’T EVER STOP AND JUST KEEP GOING. SERIOUSLY. DON’T LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE ENERGY THAT MIGHT TEST YOU, FOCUS ON YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE THAT BUILD YOU UP. THOSE ARE YOUR TRUE CHEERLEADERS. PERSISTENCE IS EVERYTHING.
Any advice for juggling all the things in daily life?
THINGS ARE EASIER NOW THAT MY KIDDOS ARE IN COLLEGE BUT THERE WERE MANY YEARS THAT WERE SO CRAZY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE. LET THINGS TAKE THE STAGE WHEN IT’S THEIR TIME. MY DAUGHTER WAS A KHS FILLIE AND MY SON PLAYED FOOTBALL AT KHS. I DIDN’T WANT TO MISS A MOMENT AND WAS A VERY INVOLVED PARENT SO STACEY’S SWEETS TOOK A BACKSEAT AT TIMES. DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP FOR PRIORITIZING THINGS DIFFERENTLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN YOUR LIFE.
Stacey’s Sweets can be found in 27 different retailers, in 4 states!
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