Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Selders
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Wow, where do I begin. As a teenager, I would love to spoil my mom and grandma by making them chocolate covered treats. They LOVED my chocolate covered strawberries. I would do it just for fun of course and to put a smile on their faces. When the pandemic hit, being stuck at home, I spent lots of time when I was off of work on TIKTOK as lots of home making videos were trending. I saw really cool designs with chocolate covered strawberries and I was like OMG I can do these cool designs! When i started back up making treats, of course, my treats didn’t look like the ones in the videos, but I am a person who keeps trying until I master it, then with more practice, I got addicted to dipping berries. Long story short and fast forward, Stephs Sweet Treats was born. It was a great side hustle for me since I was already working full time, to being super booked on the weekends and the holidays. I let my craft go when I was diagnosed with Cancer- Leukemia due to my physical health and being neutropenic… My white blood cells were so low as well as my red blood cells. While i was going through treatments, A Box You Can Count On was born in my mind. I hadn’t started it yet, I had just known that was going to be the business that feeds my family, keeps me mentally strong, and I just felt God tell me- this is IT! Get it started little by little and let your family help you out. I am not a person who takes much help.. I loveee to work hard and feel bad asking for help but I knew this was a way the Lord showed me how to accept help to keep on growing and fast forward to completing treatments, my dream came true. I employed at one point almost 10 of my family members, my father “retired” and became my assistant, my brothers all working full time, and wow has it been such a blessing. Now that they are managing that business for me very well, I knew it was time to allow them to continue that legacy for us and work it and get a “home” for my businesses. Fast forward to today, as of November 1st, 2024, I have a small brick and mortar store that carries A Box You Can Count On products and… I am back to creating and doing what I fell in love with- Steph’s Sweet Treats in Somerset, TX.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has the business been a smooth road? I would say so, but life……. has hit me hard! Tried to take me out a few times, but I am a warrior. I had to deal with not only battling my Cancer and the obstacles and horrible side effects of that, but also… losing my baby brother- Jonathan Heredia, 18, on January 11th, 2023. He was murdered. I know he has been holding my hand and my head up. That was my baby before having my own baby. He was such a light. SO full of life. He even helped me by making deliveries and going out to run errands for me. I have kept the strength of making sure my businesses run smoothly to help my parents out financially as they grieve and give my brother the most beautiful service and beautiful section of where his body now rests… It has been a heartbreak I do not wish on anyone. I appreciate the community for being so supportive.
As you know, we’re big fans of STEPHS SWEETS TREATS LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am owner of Stephs Sweet Treats and A Box You Can Count On.
Stephs Sweet Treats specializes in chocolate covered treats. No order is too small or too big
and A Box You Can Count On curates packages for any and all occasions. Every package is packaged with lots of love and care and we ship worldwide!
What are your plans for the future?
Wow, for Stephs Sweet Treats, definitely open another store at least by 1-2 years. I would love at least 3 stores in San Antonio and surrounding areas. We are in Somerset currently, but would love one in central San Antonio and in Converse.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stephs-sweet-treats.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephssweettreats_tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephssweettreatsTX/
