Success Story – Easy Sweets Bakery

Easy Sweets Bakery – Dickinson 2024

DICKINSON – Shawna DeShazo launched Easy Sweets Bakery from her home in Dickinson in 2022, specializing in small-batch, regular, and gluten-free baked goods. What began as a therapeutic activity she shared with her son quickly blossomed into a passion for creating delicious treats. With her baking experience, learned from both her grandmother and her time working in a bakery, Shawna was ready to take the next step by opening a brick-and-mortar location. However, transitioning from a home-based business to a full-scale bakery came with its own set of challenges, and that’s where the North Dakota Small Business Development Center (ND SBDC) came in.

Shawna discovered the ND SBDC through a friend who had a positive experience with the program. Motivated by her friend’s success, she reached out for assistance to understand the necessary steps for starting and growing her business. The ND SBDC provided crucial guidance, helping her find the resources she needed to launch and expand Easy Sweets Bakery.

The ND SBDC helped Shawna through crucial stages of her business development, offering guidance on creating a detailed business plan,

formalizing processes, and understanding key financial information for her growing bakery. With their support, she successfully transitioned Easy Sweets from an online operation to a physical storefront, ensuring a smooth expansion while maintaining her focus on delivering quality products.

“They helped me find the helpful resources that I needed to get started, and also expand,” Shawna stated, highlighting the significant impact their support had on her journey. Through her advising sessions, she gained valuable insights into the local market and learned how to position her bakery effectively.

Since the start, Easy Sweets Bakery has seen impressive growth. Shawna has successfully expanded her customer base largely through word-of-mouth and by consistently delivering high-quality, tasty desserts. She has observed that her business has grown alongside her product offerings, creating a loyal following of customers who appreciate her baked goods.

Shawna attributes her entrepreneurial success in part to her son’s challenges with noise anxieties. What started as a way to help him cope has turned into a thriving business, allowing them both to channel their experiences into something positive and creative.

The local community has played a key role in her business’s growth. Customers not only support her by making purchases but also return for more and actively share her social media pages. This community engagement has reinforced her presence in Dickinson and has been instrumental in spreading the word about Easy Sweets Bakery.

As Shawna reflects on her journey, she offers valuable advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs: “Don’t give up, even through the hard times.” She acknowledges that running a business is filled with ups and downs, but the ability to continue thriving has been a fulfilling experience.

With plans to further expand her offerings and reach even more customers, Shawna is excited about the future of Easy Sweets Bakery. Her commitment to quality and community remains strong as she continues to grow her business and share her passion for baking with those around her.