I am finally getting around to share what I was up to last year on this very weekend. I invited family and friends, potential clients, and both new and loyal customers alike, to my Mili’s Sweets tasting and anniversary party. In 2019, I was about to walk into my 10th year of doing business as Mili’s Sweets. It felt good to invest in myself and celebrate this special time. I chose the last weekend of September, because I would be actively booking for the new year, and I wanted to dedicate that joy to a beloved fan of my work: my dad.
and their daughters, at my 10th anniversary party on September 29, 2019.
I took my time on all the details to host, and put together a lovely little menu of free tasting-samples. I created two un-stacked cake tiers that I would cut into for my guests, and I was so excited to also share the newer work I do with floral design.
The best part was, I would be surrounded by a lot of love and support. I especially needed it that day, and it felt amazing.
At this event, I put focus on the love and passion that I have poured from myself and into this small business, with my family as my number one support. My husband, our kids, and my mom, have helped me to make Mili’s Sweets happen and possible, since before I signed up to do this, on March 8, 2010.
And then there is my dad. On this September weekend, we would also celebrate the anniversary of his death (from cancer). Instead of focusing on the sadness, I chose the wonderful distraction of this work, and to be with my sweethearts who are proud of this tiny, woman-owned business. Their love is my real success.
Dad was always a biggest fan of my work. He was so excited and authentically-thrilled to get to taste or see anything I ever made. His joy was constantly present. Since the time I began developing my recipes and working only my skills to be an excellent baker – way before I was good enough to be a professional, he was felt in my cheering section.
More importantly, Dad was one of my best friends. We loved to just hang out together. He would be the first in-line to support any one of the many fundraisers I hold via Mili’s Sweets. He would also be a first person to like or comment on any of my work-related social media posts. This never went unnoticed. I can’t put into words how much I miss those little pieces of my life. Even though I feel that I carry my dad in my heart, the silence can be tough.
When the actual date of my 10th anniversary arrived this year, I honestly didn’t feel much like celebrating. It was not appropriate or possible. That week in March of 2020, the Coronavirus had already been a reality for the world, and my personal friends in Europe, and it was a new and serious concern in San Diego County. Businesses began closing for quarantine. There was fear, and an eerie feeling, because no one was totally informed about what could be expected. No one yet knew what we were dealing with.
We were concerned at home, because my mom lives with us. She is in her 70s, and we always have her health and safety top of mind. Within the next few days of that same week, as I’m sure all of us remember, there would be strange chaos in the grocery stores for necessities, and if we had kids in school, they would begin “distance learning.” No one would know how these moments would impact the world – physically, economically, mentally, or emotionally. We were on-board with the idea that if we cared and were diligent, this whole situation would boil over and we could go back to our regularly-scheduled lives within a few weeks or a few months at the most. . .
Back to last year this weekend in 2019. It was such a beautiful day. I would book new clients and catering orders for 2020. However, after the virus, it was inevitable that some of these orders would be cancelled, and some would be refunded. Some of my new orders that were suppose to happen this year, may or may not be fulfilled in 2021 at all. It is what it is. But still, I am happy to say that I am holding on, and have set myself up to weather this pandemic-storm. I’m grateful to be in a position where even though I cannot recover the losses of this year, I am going to be ok about it, because my husband works so hard for us at home. This is a blessing, because my work is an extension of myself that I share with my community. I haven’t stopped baking for family and friends, but work has been slower than I ever could have imagined one year after this little party.
The economic downturn within my industry is still very much alive, and the uncertainties remain with businesses like mine today, as they were months ago. Venues whom I work through to cater dessert tables for weddings and events, have yet to receive expected-to-be-open dates. They have been on-hold for months and remain on-hold, along with their clients. Wedding couples must decide if they want to wait for their dream-wedding, or if their dreams must change and they can have a different, totally intimate ceremony without the reception. I have supported these clients as well. Life and love will always go on.
Beyond catering, and into my day-to-day delivering for special occasions, overall, consumers are currently making less purchases for higher-end or custom, small-batch goods like mine. This slow-down reality has allowed me extra quiet and time, to think and focus on myself and the loves of my life – and where I want to be in the next ten years.
During this time, I have been working extra hard on myself and at home. There have been plenty of personal struggle-days and tears, but I was born a ‘look on the bright side’ kind of person. With that, I will share some of the good stuff I’ve been able to accomplish during these several months of the pandemic: I have had the time to work harder at housekeeping and scheduling my home-cooking, and have embraced these tasks instead of dreading them or letting them stress me out as they did before. I have been exercising, and taking the time to take better care of my body. I’ve been able to spend more time outdoors (and I love any time I can get in nature). I surprised myself by planting both a garden of flowers, and a mini garden of fruits, herbs, and vegetables, in the backyard. I started a Glorified Hobby YouTube Channel with recipes that I make at home. Best of all, I have had more quality time to spend with my family. These are very good take-aways that I feel blessed about.
No matter what the world may bring, I will just keep trying my best, with my family (and my dad) and true friends here with me.
If you’d like the latest information about my dessert catering, custom dessert delivery services in San Diego County, or about my floral design work, please take a look at my business page.
Thank you for sharing in this time with me. Please take care! With love,
