Meet Sherridan Drakeford: Owner & Baker

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

Hi Sherridan, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
Great question! I would have to say, “focus on your 9 to 5 because that is what pays your bills”. Whenever I think about this statement, I have to laugh about it! We are conditioned to think that the correct order of life is to go to college, graduate, find a good paying job, get married, and then eventually retire. That might be true and the desire for some…and that is okay. However, I find that statement not okay with me! I have always been trying to figure out how can I create my own lane. November 2018, I can remember that day so clearly! I was so excited to tell my friend about the $100 that I made for selling my sweet potato pies during the Thanksgiving holiday and about how I was thinking about adding this new hustle to my plate. I asked him for his opinion, and he said “Here is my honest opinion! What are you going to be? An accountant, a jewelry maker, or a baker? Your hustle needs to be your 9 to 5 because that is what pays your bills!” I was at a loss for words! I looked at him like a deer in headlights! Had I listened to him and stopped pursuing my passion for baking, I would have not had anything to fall back on when I was suddenly terminated for my job in January 2020. Needless to say, our friendship ended! (laughing). My advice to you is, if you have that burning desire to start a business in addition to your 9 to 5, go do it! Never let the nay-sayers deter you from pursuing your dreams. Never become complacent with the norm. Dare to be different and create your own lane! There is nothing more gratifying than seeing your business baby grow up!

What should our readers know about your business?
Our goal is to bring your vision to life. We want to make sure that you get the Sweet Red’s experience.  We believe that getting to know your customer is vital to the success of your business. We become a family at Sweet Red’s Bakery!

I have taken a little bit of what I have learned from each job, my schooling and applied it to my business life. When you are learning something new, it is never easy, especially if you never had any formal training. YouTube University has been my best baking friend! Looking back to when I first started baking, I can see the growth in my work. It puts a smile on my face! And that is what keeps me going!

I have learned to challenge myself every day to be better than I was the day before. Keep learning, stay focused, set goals, make it happen and to never give up!

Sweet Red’s Bakery, LLC is a home-based business located in Covington, Georgia.

We offer a variety of baked goods and sweet treats ranging from freshly home-made baked cookies, cake jars, poundcakes, decorative cakes, pies, cupcakes, and chocolate-dipped strawberries/cookies/pretzels. Our most popular desserts are our yummy Sweet Potato pies, our signature Sweet Red’s Strawberry Shortcake Cake Jars and our delicious Lemon Poundcakes.

Come on by for those delicious, sweet treats and great Southern hospitality!

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?
I am such a foodie! So, my friends already know that going to eat is on the itinerary! LOL! I would take them to Nana’s Chicken N Waffles for brunch and Two Urban Licks for dinner. The lemon waffles and salmon chips are AMAZING! I would take them on some type of nature excursion too. Besides, we would need to walk off all of the food that we would have eaten!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I owe everything to the Most High! It is all Him! I would like to thank my rocks, my loves, my best friends, my children Kayla and AJ for holding me together! My mom for that unconditional love! I love you Mommy! Shout out to my bonus mom Lucille (Ma) and my Uncle Albie…..I love y’all! I would like to send a special shoutout to my sister-friend Karen Elliot for pushing me to sell my pies! LOL! Thanks to my “Business Divas”….keep grinding! Thank you to my life coach and business mentor, AD, you are appreciated! Thank you to my sisters Latasha, Kita, and Lisa for those late-night business talks! Thank you, Nikki Stong for rocking with me throughout all my business ventures! Shoutout to my accounting professor, Dr. Gaddis, thank you for your insight! Thank you to my special friend Mr. K. for keeping me encouraged! I love you much!

Special thanks to mama Faye, CJ, Temari, and Brandy for being team Sweet Red’s Bakery! I love you much! Thank you to my GNS rebels Tania, Michelle, Kimberly, and Elisa for the kind words! Thank you to all my customers….you all are the BEST!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetRedsBakery

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetredsbakery

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcLZOw4_mBIxz48VfK_5K7Q