Meet Torey Hartwell | Baker & Educator

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

Hi Torey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to pursue a creative career because it allowed me the opportunity to express myself in unique and meaningful ways. Furthermore, this career continues to motivate me to explore my creativity all while fueling my passion to always remain a lifelong learner.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is expressed in my commitment to detail and love that I put into each customer’s order. There are many bakeries and chain stores that offer similar products, however, I take pride in offering a larger menu of treats, a variety of flavors, an extensive list of colors, as well as details that make each event unique and tailored to the needs of my customers.

SInce I was a small child, baking and cooking have been something that I grew up participating in with my mother and grandmother. Being in the kitchen is second nature for me. In high school, I used baking as a way to make extra money. I had a strong dedicated customer base at my school who would seek me out for fresh baked treats each day. I learned early how to be an entrepreneur, never knowing that I would reach back ‘in time’ to apply those same skills to open an actual business as an adult.

The decision to transition baking from a hobby to a business, did eventually become challenging for me. I realized the treats that I made in 1986 had become more detailed since that time. I had to “Up My Treat Game” in order to survive in this forever changing industry. As I continued to expand my menu, my type ‘A’ personality kicked in quite often. I wanted each new treat to be perfect. I threw away a lot of batter, cupcakes, icing, and treats until I achieved what I felt was ‘It’. My recipes had to be exceptional! I would bake for family, friends, and my students to get their feedback. I would spend countless hours researching recipes, taking classes, listening constructive feedback, and practicing each new dessert until I mastered the level of quality that I expected of my treats. The bar was set high for my baked products and my business.

In 2015, I decided to make my business legal. This process was way more challenging that I had experienced with prior businesses. I did not realize how extensive the process was to get properly licensed to operate a home based bakery. Not only was the process costly, it was also very time consuming. After many checks written, phone calls made, hearings attended, and property inspections, I was finally granted my Cottage Food License and Business License in 2015 to operate a home based bakery.

Since that time, I have expanded my dessert catering business to include an online baking supply store on Etsy called, Sweet Smackin’ Shop and to expand my business to include a mobile dessert trailer. Extending my business to reach customers in various capacities not only created an additional stream of income, but also began to pave the way for my retirement job. More recently, my husband and our adult children have joined my team. This was a major benefit to helping me to balance the work load. I have learned that this can not be done alone.

As I continue to grow in this industry, I want the world to know my story. My story goes back many years, but continues with my dedication and commitment to maintaining an organized, professional business. I dedicate many countless hours throughout the week to communicate with customers, ordering supplies, managing the day to day operations, filling orders, all while preparing for our weekend events. Not to mention that I do all of this while still working full time as a ESOL teacher as well as a co-owner and Associate Broker for my real estate firm, HouseSold Realtors, LLC. I always say that no one should know your business better than you. Owning a business requires more time than a regular 9-5 job, but you have to be hungry for success.

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 my best friend was visiting my area, I want to take her back down memory lane. We seem to have the best time laughing about all of the things we did as kids. To begin this journey, I would start by taking her to enjoy a spa day at Spa Sydell that would include a deep tissue massage, pedicure, and manicure.

Because we both have such busy lives, I would plan for us to visit the Atlanta Zoo. I want to just be able to relax and laugh about silly things. Our itinerary for the week would include a trip to the Varsity and JR Crickets, and several select restaurant that are on the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives site. We will also include during the week an opportunity to meet up with our classmates and go roller skating on Adult Night at Skate Towne on Old National so we could skate to Olde School music. As the week progresses, I would make sure that we attended a night at the Drive In on Moreland Ave to see the new Color Purple. I don’t think she has experienced the drive in.

During the week we would also include a visit to our old neighborhood. We would drive by our old houses to see what the neighborhood looks like now. As part of this tour, we would drive by and visit old historic landmarks to reminiscence on some of the places that we visited as kids.

On our final night together, we would have a night at the pool, and end the night grilling and dancing to old school music to see if we could recall the dance moves and names of dances that we used to do with each song. This would be a week of great laughter and fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my immediate and extended family. I can not go without recognizing the Amazing support that I have received in all of my business endeavors that have led me to where I am today. My ‘family village’, which includes my husband, children, parents, grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers have all been on this journey with me in one capacity or other either as taste tester, focus group advisors, employee, construction crew, and/or customers. I could not have made it this far without them. My story would not be a story without them. They all can tell my story!

Website: www.sweetsmackintreats.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/SweetSmackinTreats

Facebook: FB.com/SweetSmackinTreats

Other: Tiktok.com/@SweetSmackinTreats