Hi there!
My name is Kate Brown and I am the creator of A Sweet Whim. I got my undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, which is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about environmental sustainability. About three-fourths through my undergraduate education I realized this wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I decided to finish my degree and then pursue my true calling.
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I have always loved sweets, being creative, and making people happy, so going to pastry school seemed like a no brainer. I loved every second of pastry school. I loved learning the science behind baking, experimenting with flavors, and learning new techniques. I knew I had made the right choice, and that my love of pastry would continue to grow.
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Throughout the years I have worked in several different pastry businesses, from Publix to local boutique bakeries, from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Walt Disney World to Waldorf Astoria. I have learned so much from each of these environments, but they have all had one common factor that has kept me moving onto the next. That feeling of fulfillment just wasn't there. I couldn't be creative and there was no consumer interaction so I never saw the joy that we were spreading.
I knew it was time to make a change. I started to think about what I really wanted from life and from a career. Of course I have thought about owning a business before, but I would make excuses for myself like "I don't have enough money or time," "it's too risky," or even "I'm not good enough." One day I blocked all these negative thoughts and just allowed myself to imagine what it would be like. As my heart started to race from excitement and possibility, I knew it was time.
When I thought about all the realms of pastry and starting a business, I got incredibly overwhelmed. I needed to narrow down my business to a specialty, and macarons immediately came to mind. Why macarons you ask? Yes, they are delicious, they are beautiful and elegant, they can be simplistic or embellished, there are countless flavor combinations, and the possibilities are endless. I can go on and on about why I love macarons, but the main reason I love them is because they are such a challenge. The feeling of accomplishment when you bake the perfect macaron is simply unexplainable.
I am passionate about designing gourmet macarons, and can’t wait to share my passion with you! These will not be your everyday macarons, they will each tell a story taking you to a different time and place with your senses. Whether it's a fond memory or a new place I've traveled, I am constantly inspired to make exciting creations for you to discover.
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Not only do I strive for macaron perfection, but I will also do my part to be environmentally conscious. I am a proud member of the Eco Packaging Alliance, so all of my packaging is recyclable and/or compostable. I practice environmental sustainability in as many aspects of my business as possible, and I am constantly finding new areas to improve. I believe it is the small actionable steps we take that can change our world for the better. That is why I also commit to donating 5% of profits every month to a different charity, organization, or project in need. I've made it my mission to bake the world a better place. Thank you for taking this journey with me, it's sure to be a delicious adventure!