Meet Alika Rosser | Owner of Nequai’s Nibbles

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alika Rosser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alika, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always been a creative person. It started with writing short stories and poetry, drawing, and dance when I was in elementary school and morphed into studying journalism and public relations and continuing to dance throughout college. Once I graduated, my creative pursuits were part of my career in pr and marketing for the state, starting my own public relations company, and taking community dance classes. Though I enjoyed baking, it was always just a part of a course of a meal I prepared. A move across states, changed the trajectory of my career and the end of my blossoming public relations business. I focused on motherhood, but that creative itch came back and so I became a writer and photographer for a local newspaper and magazine. I also restarted my public relations business. However, layoffs, the the economy, and the importance of pr in a small community dwindling, it all came to a halt. Once again, I focused on motherhood and made a career choice that would allow me to be spend more time with my children. But when you have been creative for almost your entire life, that desire never goes away. Even if the opportunities change, creativity can morph into something new. As my girls began to get older, I started looking for new creative outlets, including painting and cooking. I soon decided to take a cookie baking class. Royal icing gourmet sugar cookies were just starting to trend, and it felt like something fun to try. My first class was stressful especially since I am a perfectionist, but I was hooked! I started looking for other classes and practiced on family and friends. Over time, my skills grew, along with my cookie cutter collection, but still, it was just a hobby. I donated cookies to various school events and was always complimented on the taste and look of my cookies. My cookies were definitely comparable to others being sold, but I didn’t have the confidence in my skills or the faith that I could be a successful baker. One day, at another school event where my cookies sold out, I was asked several times if I sold my cookies, and when I said no, the follow-up was always why. Eventually, I began to ask myself, “Why not?” I looked around me at the room I converted into my cookie room, complete with shelving and tables; cookier tools, ingredients, and more and saw that my hobby could be so much more. And so Nequai’s Nibbles was born.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The world of desserts encompasses so many different things such as baked goods, frozen treats, confections, custards, and fried treats. Within these categories are subcategories, and with different flavors, textures, even colors, there are limitless possibilities. I started Nequai’s Nibbles making vanilla flavored customized gourmet sugar cookies, and that was it. I didn’t even dream that my menu could expand. Over the course of seven years, I went from one shelf in my pantry to renovating my dining room to accommodate my growing business. Twenty cookie cutters turned into one thousand and the Nequai’s Nibbles brand was born. One of the things that makes me unique is my public relations and marketing background. With a Masters in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, with an emphasis in public relations and writing, I have been able to have a hand in all aspects of my business, from baking to budgets to brand. My experience in graphic design and writing transferred over to my marketing materials and cookie designs. Now I have a two page, eight category menu that includes gourmet and drop cookies, cakes, petit fours, dipped pretzels, and hot chocolate bombs. Something else that makes me different is that my customers have endless flavor and design possibilities for my desserts. In customized sugar cookies alone, I have over 12 gourmet sugar cookie flavors, and nine royal icing flavors. I am also always trying to improve my craft by taking classes, experimenting with flavor profiles, and upgrading my tools. This business has never been easy, as the market floods with “sugar artists” and a fluctuating economy that deems my treats as a luxury item not a necessity. Also, there’s the challenge of the steady increase in prices for the even the most basic supplies or dealing with the issue of long time suppliers going out of business because of the same battle. Then there is educating customers on time management, pricing, and the idea that cheaper isn’t always better. With all that I think the biggest battle is remembering to take the time for self care by maintaining a healthy work life balance, knowing your boundaries, and when to say no. I’m still working on that self care, as I am Team No Sleep way to often. I’ve taken baby steps with audio books, going to a chiropractor and lots more naps. But even with all that, I love what I do and the sacrifices are worth it. The support of my customers, also known as Nibblers, and that understanding and appreciation of this God given gift, is what keeps me going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If one of my best friends was visiting, we would have to go to Gumbeaux’s Cajun Cafe’ because I love the spicy food and relaxed atmosphere. We would go to the Fox Theater to see one of their amazing shows and the Exhibition Hub for an immersive exhibit. If the weather is nice, we would visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful and I am always finding something new when I visit. We could have a girls day and night at Ponce City Market for shopping and hanging out at the Roof. As well as get our history vibe on , when we visit Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta History Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Atlanta has so much to offer and I have a wide range of interests.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Nequai’s Nibbles would not be possible without my family’s support. My husband and daughters are my constant cheerleaders whom I can always depend on. They are my brainstormers, taste testers, packaging experts, delivery drivers, word of mouth advertisers, social media gurus, models, motivators, cheerleaders, and emotional supporters, My logo is a tribute to each of my daughters, each represented by one of the little girls in my logo. My family is understanding when I am stressed or overwhelmed; flexible when I don’t do the best job of finding a work life balance; patient when cookie life takes over the whole house; and sweet when surprising me with pick me ups during self imposed crazy deadlines. I would not be making cookies and other nibbles for almost eight years and counting, without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NequaisNibbles

Facebook: www,facebook.com/NequaisNibbles

Other: nequaisnibbles@yahoo.com