Meet Sarah and Southern Caramel
Sarah Smith
Owner of Southern Caramel
EverythingBrevard.com is in the business of helping businesses connect with the right consumers at the right time. That is why we have chosen to showcase Southern Caramel for this edition of EverythingBrevard.com magazine. Their delectable delights make a unique gift or centerpiece for your holiday table.
Southern Caramel offers handcrafted, traditional caramel confections. They are made to order and can be packaged to match your party decor. The flavor selections are Old Fashioned Caramel, Salted Caramel, Caramel Latte, and Caramel with Walnuts. Owner, Sarah Smith, is the inventor of these delightful sweets. We interviewed her to learn more about how this all came about.
Sarah said she began making caramel as gifts for co-workers and got raving reviews. She said, "They kept telling me that I should be selling them." A couple years later, she had a daughter and, like many moms do, she was looking for a way to stay home with her. The idea of selling her caramel became real and Southern Caramel was born.
Sarah started by making the caramel in her own kitchen, selling them to friends and at events, such as Friday Fest. Her caramels are so delicious and unique, she quickly grew her business and now leases space in a commercial kitchen. She said this change has "opened many new doors such as wholesale business and online sales."
Starting a business can be very challenging. When we asked Sarah what her biggest challenge was, she said, "Finding balance." She elaborated to explain how being your own boss means defining your own goals and tasks. She said, "Not only do I have the responsibilities of my business, but I also have my family, church, household, and other various commitments."
When asked how she is overcoming these challenges, she said, "I realize I am not the only one who is juggling multiple tasks, that is just a part of being human." She continued to explain that she has "mentors and other business owners to talk with." Sarah is encouraged hearing "how others (women specifically) balance all of the demands on their time." She finds strength in these interactions and said, "There is confidence in numbers."
Sarah's advice to someone thinking about starting a small business is, "You will have bad days." She said she questioned herself often, asking, "Can I do this?" and she believes you will likely do the same. She suggests, "Have a good night's rest, dust yourself off and run full steam ahead the next day." She wants all new business owners to know, "you will have challenges, but you will also be able to overcome them."We think that is great advice. Thank you, Sarah Smith of Southern Caramel for giving us a peek into how you got started and how you are making your small business work.
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