It’s rare to find a friend who sticks with you for 15+ years, has children the same age, lives in the same town AND has an amazing cookie baking company. It just so happens that I hit the jackpot and have Chelsey Arnone as a friend. She owns Sugar & Sass Co., a cookie and baking company located in Cheyenne.
Chelsey started Sugar & Sass Co. a few years ago as a “just for fun” business. She practiced working with royal icing and shared a few pictures on Instagram. As most hobbies turned business, orders started coming in until she was booked out for months. She created an Instagram page (@chelsey_bakes.307), and has 273 followers now. She also has to close down her booking after a few days to catch up on orders because she is also a full-time teacher, and mom of two boys.
Chelsey explains that she overcame struggles by learning through practice. Her family ate a lot of “ugly” cookies while she practiced new techniques. When she was learning to airbrush she accidentally used all of her extra “just in case” cookies and had to bake more at 11pm for an order due the next day. She perfected her techniques over time through trial and error but now says she loves the product she provides to her clients. I can attest to this as she provided the cookies for my baby shower and everyone was swooning over them!
Chelsey has been doing this professionally for a few years now but personally for as long as I’ve known her. She loves to bake and has an amazing support team behind her to test out all her recipes. Chelsey explains that having a strong support system for any small business owner is the key to success. Her husband, mom, close friends and family have been her cheerleaders along the way. Her husband, Alec, stays up late on cookie nights to keep her company.
She also encourages small business owners to invest in good materials because you are only as good as your supplies. She has added new tools along the way to create a more professional looking product.
Lastly, Chelsey recommends knowing your worth. Your prices should reflect your product. When you offer a high-quality product to clients, don’t shy away from charging for that product. The clientele that is right for you will pay your prices when they know it’s priced right.
Chelsey is looking forward to making special celebrations even more memorable for her clients. She wants her cookies to make a lasting impression when clients think back on the event, whether that be a wedding, baby shower, or birthday (she does them all)!
You can find Sugar & Sass Co. on Instagram @chelsey_bakes.307 or email her at mrs.sugarandsass@gmail.com.
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