WOMEN TO WATCH

SARAH DECLERK

OWNER
ANN POTTER BAKING

Ann Potter Baking is a boutique cookie company that specializes in designing the most beautiful, detailed and delicious cookies for my clients’ events and occasions. My goal with every order is to delight the customer and exceed their expectations. As a small business owner, I know that pleasing my customers is the lifeline of my livelihood and my greatest joy!

PRESSING QUESTIONS

HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

I’ve always had a strong interest in baking and design, so I decided to combine the two! I knew this was meant to be when I would come home from my former job and work until midnight on orders.

BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

Good Housekeeping reposting one of my cookie designs as their Christmas cookie pick!

WHAT IS A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE?

I start my day with emails and coffee. My little girl, Sam, joins the party around 7 a.m. and I am in the kitchen the remainder of the day baking, decorating or conquering the never-ending sink of dishes.

MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB:

Being invited into the special celebrations of my clients. They are trusting me with wedding details, first birthdays and holiday memories. Seeing them excited about the cookies I’ve created for them is so special!

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

Don’t measure the external as much as the internal. Don’t worry about what goes wrong, because it will be replaced tomorrow by the wonderful, and you need to be in a position to appreciate the wonderful when it happens.

I WISH I KNEW HOW TO:

Use photoshop. I would love to be able to do my own graphic design.

IF YOU COULD LUNCH WITH ANY WOMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

Martha Stewart. Cliche, but she’s been my icon for forever. I have every back issue of Martha Stewart Living. I’d let Martha order for me, ha!

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

Leaving behind a legacy of kindness and positivity. My work is intrinsically happy and I always want it to be a source of joy for myself and others!

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Woodlands Edge

HOMETOWN:

Vicksburg, Mississippi

LAST GOOD READ:

“The Nightingale” 11

FAVORITE FOOD:

Anything Smores

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT:

South on Main

FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE OFFICE:

Check email and Etsy messages

LATEST SPLURGE:

Bought a Roomba vacuum

THINGS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK:

CrossFit and visit locally owned restaurants

DREAM VACATION:

Flyfishing for salmon in Scotland

FAVORITE SONG:

“That Old Pair of Jeans,” Fatboy Slim

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