BUNNELL, Fla. (November 5, 2022) Marking her first anniversary in business with a gang of feisty friends, Becca Johnson welcomed customers to Becca’s Sweet Tooth for the Pirate Bash on Saturday.
The bakery and café has become one of the go-to place for custom cookies and cake orders, ranging from birthdays and baby showers to smash cakes and holiday designs. Providing a more diversified menu of options for customers has allowed Johnson to rediscover her passion for the intricate culinary creations, expanding her business and clientele.
In addition to custom bakery items, Becca’s signature Caribou Coffee and fresh, made to order breakfast or lunch selections ensure she sees repeat customers.
“I do have a lot of regulars that come in for their coffee, their mocha, their breakfast sandwich,” shared Johnson.
“I have found in the last few months business is swerving in the direction of custom orders. I’m doing a lot more custom cakes, and I’m having so much fun doing them.”
The Business of Collaboration
Celebrating her first full year in business, friends and customers made sure to stop in on Saturday to say hello and pick up specialty items. Games, face painting, treats and gift bags kept the kids busy and pirates from the Seawolf Privateers, Inc. had a blast letting them explore the life-sized pirate ship.
The collaboration between the pirates and the Johnson stem from a mutual support of children in foster care.
Johnson has been a foster parent over the years, and Seawolf Privateers, Inc. founders Tim and Cayti Brinegar say the cause is one they feel deeply about.
“My husband had foster children in his home prior to us being married last year. He adopted two of those children out of foster care,” said Cayti Brinegar, executive director of the nonprofit organization.
“I’ve always been a servant in the community, worked with women and children for many years, ran a transition house, etc. We knew we needed to do something on the nonprofit level to help in the community and we decided this cause was so near and dear to us. We chose the pirates because Tim has enjoyed pirating in downtown St. Augustine for many years, kind of hooked me into it,” she said.
The impact was immediately visible as kids of all ages climbed aboard the vessel.
“We dress up as pirates and mermaids and relate to the kids on a fantasy level to create some bonds with them,” she said. “It’s been fun for sure and we bring lots of smiles to lots of faces.”
Johnson took turns heading out to watch the families play and enjoy the celebration, and whipping up coffees or bakery orders for customers.
“I wanted to do something for my first anniversary to celebrate but also, I have a strong connection to the foster community,” said Johnson. “This is a way for me to help out, bring more awareness, and spread the word that there’s always the need for more foster families if there are people who are willing to open their hearts.”
Friend Julie Davis, a teacher at Matanzas High School brought her little ones Scout and Wyatt out to enjoy the day. Students from Davis’ DECA Club learned more about marketing and entrepreneurship on site while earning community service hours.
“We actually were just learning about corporate social responsibility in our marketing classes so I love a real life event that shows them someone in action in our community giving back to our foster kids and foster families,” said Davis.
“I love anything that shows my students this is real life past high school and this is an example of a single woman running a successful business and making it happen. It’s not just something that we’re teaching them in a text book every day, it’s real life.”
One lesson the future entrepreneurs learned is how much work actually goes into a startup business. From marketing, to evolving customer requests, and location, each plays a vital role in the success of a business.
Over the past year Johnson has fine-tuned her business’ offerings with success by continuing to tap into her creativity.
“I’ve rediscovered that joy of why I started doing this in the first place,” she said.
Holiday Treats Headed for the Shelves
Holiday treats are headed for the shelves and among the offerings this holiday season will be ready-to-go cookie kits for families.
“I want to do multiple levels and designs. One with a certain consistency and multiple colors you can do with your kids. And then, sets that have multiple consistencies that have more elaborate designs for people who want to do the outlining and have that skill but don’t have the space or tools to make all that at home,” she said excitedly.
“I want to do something similar with gingerbread kits. I have cutters for 3D stars and reindeer and trees, they fit together like puzzle pieces. I’m so excited just thinking about it.”
Becca’s Sweet Tooth is located at 2710 E. Moody Blvd, Unit B in Bunnell, Florida, and is open Tuesday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Visit www.beccasweettooth.com for details.
