That's how I feel about small businesses. My husband Brad and I are both self-employed. He is a truly genius photographer who seems to enchant everyone he meets, and I, as you know, am a chocolatier and dessert fanatic :) 
Since we both rely on the good will, support and loyalty of our customers and friends, we often seek out independents to help spread the "supporting karma" of small biz owners everywhere! Like if we eat out, we do our best to find independent restaurants instead of going to a chain, or if we shop, we do farmers' markets and local boutiques if at all possible.
It just so happened the last couple weeks have surrounded me with the glow of small business owners, specifically, women business owners. Last week I participated in the Kossuth County Fair (had a quaint little spot selling baked goods and showcasing some of Brad's photos!),
and shared a space with Nancy, who co-owns Colors (a Diamond Vogel paint and design store) with her husband, and who is also a talented designer and uplifting gal to be around. 
She is contagiously enthusiastic and thinks outside the box, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary works of art! (*also, lucky us, she's helping design the new photography studio and chocolate/dessert cafe! more info to come later...but be excited...very excited!)
Another gal I LOVE to be around is Kim, owner of Allure Salon. We just celebrated National Cupcake Day together.
She hosted fantastic product specials and offered knowledgeable advice as well as free cupcakes (oh yes...customized cupcakes...chocolate cake with Italian buttercream, decorated to reflect the colors and mood of Allure!)
Kim just had her 5-yr anniversary of owning Allure, and her customers can't seem to get enough of her!
Besides being a business owner, she is talented in the art of hair cut, color and styling, a nail extraordinaire as well as formally educated in make up application, specifically, Mirabella makeup. And if she wasn't busy enough, she is also one of The Chocolate Season's best customers :)
And lastly, a newbie in the small business world is Amanda, a Mary Kay consultant. By day she is a new mom, wife, teacher and friend, by night, she makes the world beautiful, one lucky lady at a time :) I helped host one of her parties last night and some lovely friends (thanks Clarissa, Laura and Sara!) came and helped support Amanda in her business. And what party is complete without chocolate?
So I thought I'd chip in and make 2 oh-so-yummy pavés (pa-vae) which is a chocolate sponge cake, soaked in caramel soaking syrup, layered with chocolate caramel ganache and diced apricots and then covered again, in chocolate ganache. (its supposed to look like a French paving stone...)
Yum-o. :)
Just wanted to wish you the best of luck Amanda, thanks for being so attentive to everyone's needs, you'll do great!!!
So guess this post is getting a bit long. If you'd like any more information on any of these ladies, drop me a line! From hair, to make up to perfect design advice, these girls can help you out! (And don't get me wrong, these are not the only talented business owners I love...I love you all! From Icon, to The Market, Dario's, Tangles, Creative Design Concepts....the list goes on and on....hopefully I get to highlight them all soon!)
And before I end this entry, I did want to let you in on some super awesome news...yours truly will be an officially published pastry chic!
Look forward to the Sept/Oct issue of Pastry and Baking North America where you will find your favorite Marbled Cheesecake Brownies turned into a fresh yet classic, plated dessert! I will tell you all about the components and show you pictures in our next post...so stay tuned :0)
PSS- completely random...a couple weeks ago we did a "manly" but whimsical Huskers cake for a dear client of mine, Anne, who ordered her favorite thing...chocolate cake with cookies n' cream filling and American buttercream....her favorite statement? "Anne? are there cookies in this cake?!!! Yummmmmmmmmmm!" love ya Anne!
