We had the good fortune of connecting with Alison Bradford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alison, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I am a stay at home mom who homeschools 2 elementary aged children. I am actively involved in both our homeschool co-op and my local small house church. Starting a home based bakery on top of those other roles and responsibilities had been a dream of mine for a while, but it takes some creativity and a lot of flexibility to make it work!

When I first began my baking business I had a Kindergartener and a baby, so my mornings were dedicated to school and play time. My afternoons and evenings were for baking and other projects during naps and after bed time. I largely still keep that same schedule, though my girls are often around more as they are too old to nap. It can be difficult to balance. As my kids have gotten older now I am homeschooling both girls, and the subject matter they are learning is getting more in depth. I try to look to the name of my business as a mantra to keep my self balanced with the priorities in my life. Faith, Family, & Frosting…the order is important to me, and my life works best when I dedicate my time in that order.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a baker and cookie decorator. I specialize in custom decorated sugar cookies. In addition I bake macarons, biscotti, cinnamon rolls, and cookies for local markets and shops around Central, SC. By baking and decorating each item personally, I can ensure the highest quality in both taste and design for my customers.

It was not easy getting where I am today, but I am grateful for all of the lessons I have learned along the way. The most important lesson I have learned is to not give up. I have gone through a lot of trial and error to discover what specific products appeal to my local clientele. Keeping a high standard of quality while developing new and interesting flavors or designs can be tough. But I truly enjoy discovering what people want to sweeten their special days!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Right here in Downtown Central there are many fun places to check out! My family is a big fan of Central Sweets for ice cream. The many restaurants downtown will not disappoint either! A family favorite is Panchos. I would highly recommend checking out a class at The Collaboration Station. They have a wide variety of classes that are sure to appeal to anyone wanting to learn something new with a friend or loved one.

Jitters is a cute coffee shop in town with a cozy and inviting atmosphere if you are looking for a place to relax and hang out. If you are interested in doing a little shopping I recommended The Bees Knees for kids and Urban Central for adults. And of course our area has a lot of beautiful hikes and swimming holes on the lake to visit as well. The Oasis Ranch Mini Golf in Seneca is worth the quick drive for a relaxing, fun day with family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The success of my bakery is largely due to my husband and wonderful daughters. From accompanying me to farmers markets to helping me package cookies – they are the best! Always loyal taste testers, and always ready to encourage me to follow my dreams and passions. They sacrifice their time, wants, and desires at times to allow me the space I need to bake, create, and teach others the skills I have learned.

In addition, my wonderful community of friends and fellow small business owners around Central have spread the word about my business; always recommending my cookies to people having a celebration. I have also learned a lot from the twins over at Sugar Cookie Marketing. Their podcast, website, Facebook group, and tutorials have been invaluable to my business ventures.

Website: https://Www.FaithFamilyandFrosting.com

Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/FaithFamilyFrosting

Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/FaithFamilyandFrosting

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.