The Pivot: Finding Fulfillment in a Different Career
How an Educator Transitioned From Teaching to Starting a Baking Business🧁
Foodies, you're going to enjoy today's newsletter! 👋🏼👋🏾👋
Here's what you'll learn:
🌴 How Sandra Shorter, Ed.D. shifted from a career in education to one in baking
🌴 What she "invested" her money in that she believes helped her get to the next level faster than usual
🌴 What helped her get through those tough moments in the beginning
🌴 Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter. Already did? Thanks! 😻
🌴Read on... Sandra Shorter is the focus of today's Generation Si!
Sandra Shorter - Founder & CEO of The Naked Cupcake
DECIDING ON A CAREER CAN TAKE A FEW TRIES
Like many of us, Sandra Shorter, Ed.D. pondered a few career options and opportunities while growing up:
-Engineer
-Attorney
-Child psychologist
Shorter figured she needed to be a teacher first if she was going to tell teachers and students what to do as a child psychologist.
So she got her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
But she decided to join the community service group, AmeriCorps, and then worked for Jumpstart for America in Fresno, California, before heading back to Florida.
She was homesick.
JUST BECAUSE IT’S A HOBBY DOESN’T MEAN IT CAN’T BECOME YOUR CAREER
For Shorter, baking was a hobby her aunt instilled in her.
“I had always kind of [a] ‘pie in the sky’ dream that I would one day own a bakery or cupcake shop."
But she never really thought it would happen anytime soon because she had another mission.
"I was really going to change the world of education.”
Teaching is in her blood
THE TIP JAR (Tips provided courtesy of Sandra Shorter, Ed.D.)
STARTING OUT: “The first thing they need to do is [to] get connected with their local Small Business Development Center. It is a wealth of resources. And you should start to network right away.”
“Believe it or not, I YouTubed… what to do at networking events."
She says it gave her great ideas because she just didn't know what she would say to people at the events.
Shorter says she also learned a lot from author and motivational speaker, Rachel Hollis.
For example, she learned, “I think you need to recognize that you’re solving a problem that, if you don’t sell to your customer, you have to think about them not having a solution. You’re doing them a disservice.”
STEEPED IN SKILLS (mid-career): “At the middle point is when you also need coaches… You need to find a coach that can guide you and show you how to get to the next level because you’re stagnant.”
STARTING OVER: “You need to surround yourself with the right support people. Because it’s scary, and it’s a huge risk. Because you’re leaving the security of a job that you’ve probably gone to school for…”
“And you’re going to have naysayers. And you need to have people who are going to encourage you and, maybe, even financially help.”
I’LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN: “For food trucks, specifically, it’s paying a lot of money for promoter fees. Sometimes, you go into these events because you’re new. And, you know, they’re telling you, you’re going to make a billion dollars! And you’re going to meet a billion people at this event. And you’re paying $1,000 to be there for four hours… Go ask your other food truck friends… Go ask if that promoter is legit…”
BEST ADVICE FROM “LA CASA”/BEST “HOUSE” ADVICE: “My dad… said, ‘You need to start trusting your gut.’ And it was over a bad relationship. I was always going back to boyfriends that would come back. I would break things up. And they would be like, ‘No, let’s work it out.’ And I’d be like, ‘Okay.’”
Shorter’s dad would see what was happening and asked her why she kept going back to those boyfriends when she knew they weren’t right for her.
She now applies that same advice about not chasing people when doing business.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: “I would go after a company that I thought was really great… to do the wrap for my truck. And I was excited. They came recommended. I was going back and forth. And they just kind of wouldn’t respond… I was like, don’t you want my business? I’m about to pay you thousands of dollars… Obviously, that’s not the right person… Ever since then, I don’t chase anybody who I’m seeking to purchase from. And it’s this ‘trust your gut’ aspect of it.”
YOU CAN LOVE A CAREER AND STILL KNOW IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON
Even after she left teaching, Sandra volunteered for Teach In (career day)
Shorter initially set about to change the world of education by devoting 13 years of her life to it.
Part of the time, she was a 2nd grade and 4th grade teacher. The other part of the time, she served as an instructional coach to teachers at the district and state levels.
But, as she puts it, “God changed the desire in my heart.”
She reached a point in time when she didn’t think she was effective in education anymore.
Shorter believed staying in the field any longer would just be a disservice to the students.
So she decided it was best to resign.
TEST OUT YOUR POSSIBLE SECOND CAREER ON THE SIDE
Luckily for her, for about three years before resigning, she’d already started dabbling in her new career.
She would bake for others.
“I was already making cupcakes and testing out recipes and taking them to work. Because, you know, what am I going to do with a billion cupcakes in my house?”
IT'S NORMAL TO HAVE SOME DOUBTS
But, as far as business know-how goes, Shorter admits, “I didn’t know diddly-squat about business. And I remember one day driving in the car. And I had this shock realization moment that I am going to own my own business. And I said… ‘What am I doing?’”
Suddenly, “I audibly heard God saying to me… ‘And what am I? Chopped liver?’ I swear… I was like, okay, I don’t need to know. YOU know! You’re my business partner. So we’re good.”
And that’s when she knew, it would be okay. She was going to somehow figure it out.
It’s not that she didn’t have moments of doubt at certain stages. She did.
JOURNALING CAN BE THERAPEUTIC
She actually chronicled them in a journal she bought before starting the cupcake business with a food truck.
Getting your thoughts on paper can help you work through problems
“One day, I bought this cute little journal randomly… Because I’m a cupcake person… They speak to me when they’re ready to be written in…”
“I have journaled the first two or three years of the business because there was so much stress and tears of, like, I don’t know if I’m doing this [right]. Am I on the right path?”
LOOK FOR THE FREE RESOURCES TO EDUCATE YOURSELF
Besides God, she credits her success on education and coaching.
“There’s so much free information. The SBA (Small Business Administration), alone, has, like, thousands of webinars that are just housed on their site for you to learn.”
IT'S NOT CHEAP, BUT SOME PEOPLE SAY COACHING IS THE WAY TO GO
Shorter also believes coaching has made a big difference.
“I’m in a coaching Mastermind now. And I’m a big believer in that… Seek out the people who’ve been there and done it before you. Save yourself the time. Invest the money. It’s not spending money. It’s investing it.”
“Every time, I have gotten a coach or been part of a program or purchased a course - and they’re not cheap - it has leveled up my business exponentially. I’ve saved myself five years’ worth of getting to that same spot. And that’s how I’ve gotten, you know, to these bigger levels.”
START SMALL, BUT START
Shorter started her food truck business with one or two teenagers helping out part-time.
She now has a cupcake shop in Lake Nona and is eyeing a second location in Winter Garden and then a third location.
Shorter believes that having a cupcake business was a natural business for her to start.
Sandra with her first two members of her crew
THE ANSWER MAY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE
“I’ve always liked cake… People would ask me, ‘What’s your favorite food?’”
Her answer was always, “’Birthday cake.’ Not pizza. Not burgers. Although, fries [are] a very close second. And I think that’s been the connecting piece.”
In Part Two, Sandra Shorter will share the costs of getting a truck and building it out for conversion into a food truck.
Plus, she'll offer more advice on how she was able to build and grow her thriving business.
Cupcakes for all
INDUSTRY: Food (Confections/Baking)
STARTED BUSINESS:
Food Truck: Nov. 2016
Lake Nona Shop: Dec. 2021
LATINO CONNECTION: Parents were born in Colombia
EDUCATION:
University of Central Florida – Doctoral degree in Education (Curriculum & Instruction)
University of Central Florida – Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education & Teaching
Florida Atlantic University – Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education & Teaching
DREAM JOB AS A KID: "An engineer. Yeah, I really loved math. I taught myself math. I would go to the public library in the summers. I’ll never forget this. I would check out the math textbooks. Teach it to myself. Work out the problems and have my dad check my answers. Loved math!"
BIGGEST GOAL YET: “Sell my franchise for multimillion dollars. It’s going to happen. I promise you.”
NO NEED TO GO IT ALONE
HELP ON THE OUTSIDE...because we can all use a helping hand:
Write Better Emails
Getting someone to take action through an email can be difficult. Learn time-saving tips for making your emails stand out, no matter the purpose.
This FREE webinar will help you simplify the process and make your emails effective. See the link below for more details:
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Orlando
“How to Write Effective Marketing Emails for Any Situation”
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
7:00 p.m. EDT – 8:00 p.m. EDT
Virtual Webinar
FREE
https://orlando.score.org/event/how-write-effective-marketing-emails-any-situation-4
WORKING ON THE INSIDE...because we know our culture has a hard time asking for help:
“A Virtual Lunch with Local Entrepreneurs”
Meeting new people you click with can be intimidating. In this non-threatening, supportive virtual setting, you'll get to meet with local entrepreneurs, just like you.
You'll be able to get advice, discuss shared concerns about starting or owning a business and feel supported and encouraged.
“Like-Minded Magic”
Friday, July 29, 2022
12:00 p.m. EDT – 1:00 p.m. EDT
Online Workshop
FREE
https://www.score.org/event/minded-magic-july-meeting-0
INSPIRATION FOR THIS ISSUE:
Just like relationships that run their course, sometimes, your chosen career can do the same.
What excited you before just doesn’t fulfill you anymore.
In some cases, either through layoffs or for other reasons, your employer decides for you that you won’t continue in that job or field.
They could be doing you a big favor.
Of course, what to pivot to as a second career can also pose a challenge.
Many people stay in a career because they are either afraid to try something new or don’t know exactly what else to switch to as a second act.
If you have a hobby, like Sandra, it’s easier. She started testing the waters of baking a few years before closing out her career in education.
But even then, what she learned about children, no doubt, helped her as she shaped what her cupcake business would look like.
In Part Two, I’ll include those elements into the story.
I hope her segue from education into baking inspires you to find the best way to transition from one field into another.
It can take some time.
Your next move may not be your best move or even your final move.
But the important thing is to take actionable steps toward that next career.
One thing is certain in Sandra’s case: She absolutely loves what she’s doing! I can’t wait to share with you why in Part Two.
🌴 Feel free to share this article (share button is at the top) or subscribe to keep receiving this newsletter straight to your inbox.
🌴 Let's connect on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
🌴 Grateful to have your support. Go make it your best day yet! #theskyisNOTthelimit 😻