You might see Sarah Forrer, co-owner of Main Street Cupcakes in Hudson, at her shop with not only the sweet treats they offer, but also with another lovable sight — her 21-month-old daughter Hadley.
Forrer has found a way to balance her passion for work and being a mom of two. While it’s not always easy, she says she thrives on it.
Business-Minded
The cupcake shop began with an idea from Kimberly Martin of Hudson. She and her husband Sean Nock created the business in 2007 and brought on Forrer, her sister, full-time the next year.
Forrer, who worked in event planning and marketing for a non-profit organization around town, seemed like a perfect fit to do the shop’s public relations and marketing full-time.
“Hudson welcomed us with open arms,” Forrer says. “Our brand worked with (the town) and has a matching charm. We get to know every customer that comes in. We could not have dreamed up a first location that has this combination of a great destination and a perfect historic downtown feel we love. Hudson is our flagship and we want to embody that with every city we (open a location).”
In fact, it wasn’t that much longer after the opening of Main Street Cupcakes that Forrer became a full business partner.
Many relatives might not work well together in a business setting, but that’s not the case for these sisters. Forrer feels they make a good pairing.
“Our relationship thrives,” she says. “We both have the same competitive outlook on things and we arrive at the same destination. It’s so great, as our company doesn’t miss a beat because of that.”
The sisters work together on creating the 300 cupcake flavors the shop produces. There is plenty that goes into the main goal of delivering sweet treats as they now shuffle between stores in Rocky River, Hudson and the new location in Chagrin Falls.
Little Work Companion
Having children and a job is a constant juggling act for most parents.
She and her husband Brent, a manager at Spin Bike Shop in Lakewood, divide their time between work and taking care of stepson, Tommy, 7, and their daughter Hadley.
It’s about making choices, and Forrer has the ability, as a business owner, to create an environment that works both for her family and the shop.
“And I’ll be the first to say when it works and when it doesn’t,” Forrer says about managing their busy family routine. “We’re just on the go.”
On any given day, Forrer is between Main Street Cupcakes locations, whether it’s doing paperwork or making deliveries. And, most times, wherever she goes, Hadley goes too — a routine that the two now have down to a science.
“Hadley is still in bed early every night, and every decision I make is based on, ‘Is it going to work for Hadley and I?’” she says. “I don’t get myself involved in something that I think isn’t going to work for us.”
It’s important to Forrer to keep the family together, but also not let family obligations deter her from her passions in her profession.
“My approach to work has become much more serious,” she says. “There is more on the line now. I want Hadley to grow up at the store. I want to prove that having a child doesn’t take away from my professional life.”
When asked about her passion for the baking industry, Forrer says, “What’s there not to love about it? Endless creativity, I adore the customers and it works well for us.” Sounds like the ingredients for success.