It has been a crazy few weeks in the world of Spongedrop. We had our first wedding cakes of the season, many cake and cupcake orders for birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations, new staff, a photo shoot for a national food magazine and the indulge Speaker Collective event where I was onstage in front of about 400 Tauranga locals.
Usually speaking in front of that many people would terrify me but I was lucky enough to be speaking alongside two of my good friends and the lovely Annemarie Quill, editor of indulge, who very much eased my nerves.
I was invited to be a part of this event as a local businesswoman who has turned her passion into a career. I know I'm not alone in that - Tauranga is full of inspirational business owners. One of the nicest surprises I found when I moved back to Tauranga from overseas was the huge community of creative, talented, motivated people here chasing their dreams, creating their own opportunities and just going all in.
One question I was asked at the Speakers Collective event was: how did I know it was the right time for me to take Spongedrop from a market stall to a fulltime retail space? My response? I didn't know but I had to take the leap.
When I signed the lease it was after two years of building up my business at The Little Big Markets and online. During this time, I met so many kind and supportive people who are now regulars at Spongedrop and without them I wouldn't be where I am. I was able to ask their thoughts and feedback on my products and our future plans - and often I'd get asked "when are you opening a shop?!"
