Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry White.
Hi Terry, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never thought that my choice to make wholesome treats for my children, made-from-scratch snacks and cakes, would lead me into a passion for candy making! I would make homemade granola, cookies, brownies, and cakes, but the first candy I ever made was the “old school Rock/Glass candy” with a lemon flavor.
As I mothered my own children, I also worked as a dedicated social worker counseling individuals who were HIV positive. I also worked as a Child Protective Investigator and worked with Juvenile Sex Offenders and Foster Children. During these years I would create different confections and share them with clients during stressful times and occasionally I would sell my creations at farmers markets, all the time revisiting my goal of being a self-sustaining independent businesswoman.
Putting my heart into the business name, creating a product from deep in my soul experiences, and learning a whole new way of thinking about how to create a lucrative business took persistence. And as I pursued my dream and moved forward, everything just started falling into place.
Nearly a year before the St. Petersburg Pier was finished, the city held interest meetings to be considered for a marketplace stall on what would be the new pier. I attended a meeting, turned in my application, and to my surprise received a congratulatory letter from Mayor Rick Kriseman saying I was selected as one of 17 original vendors for the new Pier.
Throughout this journey I reached out and received business counseling, mentoring, and training from the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Center and Operation Start Up. I am so grateful for all of the help and support from them and also from this City, our community, friends, and family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“A Smile, Sunshine, and Sugah” has been my approach to life professionally and personally, along with my favorite verse, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”. My greatest challenge was the idea of how do I have my own business, raise my kids and work full time as a single parent. Making the paradigm shift from many years as a Social Worker/Counselor and salaried employee to Independent Business Woman took a little doing and required some dedicated business education. I decided to love my journey, and so far, it has been a beautiful success!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I handcraft gourmet Cashew Brittle Candy and Rose Quartz Candy.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I come from a family of great southern cooks that love to entertain! Family gatherings, especially around the holidays, were some of my best childhood memories. Immediate family, extended family, and friends would gather at our family home to play games, eat great food, and catch up on our lives. We would socialize for hours nearly staying up all night. We would watch and help our elders cook family recipes, and we would get to taste-test, learn, and participate with helpful suggestions and advice. All of the dishes were lovingly prepared.
Pricing:
- Traditional Cashew Brittle
- Vegan Cashew Brittle
- Rose Quartz Candy
- Jute drawstring bag
- Brand tee’s
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sonniboiandpetal.com
- Instagram: sonniboi_npetal
- Facebook: sonniboiandpetal
Image Credits
Sieraaj Allie
