Inspiring Conversations with April Lamb of April’s Sweet Treats

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Lamb.

Hi April, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always enjoyed baking:
– Being in the kitchen.
– Measuring out just the right ingredients.
– Mixing to the perfect texture.
– Tasting the dough.
– Baking the delicious treats.
– Eating every bit.

I find myself craving the baking process when I’m stressed or bored. It’s my go-to hobby. So, after being a middle school teacher for 7 years, I became a stay-at-home mom to my two children. As they grew older, I found myself searching for something that was just for me, something that I enjoyed, could be creative, and didn’t involve being a mom. I tried various things, but it just wasn’t me. So I decided to bake! I started with drop cookies and a couple of cakes. Then, I decided to make decorated sugar cookies for some strange reason. I do not know what made me decide to do this to this day.

For one thing, I do not like sugar cookies, and for another, they are SO MUCH WORK! But at Easter of 2016, I decided to make Easter Egg Sugar Cookies. My sweet, wonderful friends bought them and began to ask me if I could do other designs. I told them I had no idea but would be delighted to try. My first big set was for a 1-year-old birthday party: ties and bow ties. I then decided that I’d keep going as long as I was having fun. I would practice every day, trying different designs and techniques. I created Facebook and Instagram pages. My business spread by word of mouth, and slowly it began to grow. Since then, I have taught classes and done custom and holiday orders.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say that it’s been a pretty smooth road. The slow growth of April’s Sweet Treats is what I needed. Do I get impatient with the slow growth? Sure. However, I realize this allows me such great flexibility with my schedule that it is a dream job. My biggest struggle is keeping up with social media. All the changes and trends drive me crazy. I strive to be authentic with my followers. I don’t want them to think it’s all busy and perfect. It’s also difficult and emotional to put yourself out there for people and sometimes fail.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
April’s Sweet Treats is an in-home bakery in Lawrence, Kansas. I, April, specialize in decorated sugar cookies. I offer custom orders for special events such as weddings, birthdays, and baby showers (I’ve even done divorce cookies.) If you have a special event, I have a cookie idea for it!

I also offer a preordering option for holidays. I design specific cookies for a holiday and post samples on my website. Customers can then go to my website to see all the options, preorder them, then pick up their fresh-made cookies on a specific date close to that holiday. I offer cookie decorating classes perfect for beginners looking for a hobby or a fun new experience with friends, family, or co-workers. The suggested age for this class is 12+. In this beginners class, I will give step-by-step instructions on decorating a set of adorable cookies. You do not need to have any experience. You will leave with beautiful cookies, all decorated by you! They’re great for any occasion! I provide everything you need, including a carrier to take your creations home.

Every cookie that goes through the kitchen is important. Whether it’s one cookie or ten dozen, I strive for consistency in every cookie—details matter.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
When I started with April’s Sweet Treats, I wasn’t out to be the biggest business around or the only cookie decorator in town.

I wanted to help provide things for my family:
1. Put my daughter in dance or theater, or allow my son to try all the different sports.
2. Go on fun vacations.
3. Pay for the little things that become big things, school, college.

So success to me is being about to say “Yes!” when my children want to try something new, having the ability to go on a family vacation together, or buying a new van because we’ve outgrown our sedan. That is a success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aprilssweettreatskansas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilssweettreatskansas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aprilssweettreats

Image Credits
Jacky Hicks did my headshot.