Introducing published writer and expert baker, Tessa Sam. After working at a bakery part-time, Tessa discovered that being surrounded by bowls of buttercream and covered in flour was her happy place, and decided to train in pastry at the Peggy Porschen Academy in London, UK. After graduation, she returned home to Vancouver, B.C. to open Sweet Bake Shop. With its adorable pink decor and delicious treats, Sweet Bake Shop was an immediate success. A year after opening the bakery, Tessa was presented with the opportunity to write her own baking book with Penguin Random
Published in March of 2018, Sweet Bake Shop: Delightful Desserts for the Sweetest of Occasions is now available for purchase in all major bookstores and online worldwide. Welcome to The Babe List, Tessa!
What does babes supporting babes mean to you?
To me, it means women (and men!) supporting each other, both in business and in their personal lives. Whether that happens in the form of buying something from another woman’s business to help support it, offering to babysit for a few hours, or simply sending a text letting someone know that you’re thinking about them.
Do you have a life mantra/motto that you live by?
Work hard and be nice. My mom used to say that to me! Truly though, working really hard and being kind to others will move you in the right direction.
What’s your spirit animal?
A flamingo. They wear pink every day and that’s definitely my style!
What’s your proudest babe moment or achievement?
Hands down, it would be having my baking book published. It was always on my life list of things I wanted to do and when it hit bookstore shelves this past March, I cried. My whole heart (and two-and-a-half years of my life) went into the making of that book and I’m so happy to be able to share it with fellow bakers everywhere.
What’s your most used app?
I would say it’s a tie between Instagram and Planoly, the app I use to schedule and organize all of my social media posts.
What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren’t it selling anymore?
Food-wise, it would have to be Franks Red Hot hot sauce and Old Dutch Ketchup Chips. I’d also have to load up on K’pure Naturals’ Drenched Whipped Face and Body Butter — it’s the best thing I’ve ever put on my skin!
What emoji best describes you?
Maybe the one that’s laughing so hard it’s crying? I definitely have a good laugh (usually at myself) daily! It’s too bad there isn’t one of a girl slipping and falling though — I am so clumsy sometimes.
What was the best piece of advice you received when you were first starting your career?
To keep my head down, focus on what was right in front of me and not compare my work to anyone else’s work, because comparison is the thief of joy, which is so true. That and always have a strong handshake.
Who should EVERYONE be following right now?
Right now, I’m a really big fan of @mattcrump. The colours in his feed are magical!
When I dance I look like…
An incredibly awkward human! Haha!
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Oh, I am terrible at karaoke! But after a few glasses of wine, anything by Whitney Houston will do!
Tell us about a Babe who has supported you?
I don’t think I’d be here without the incredible support of so many — it’s hard to name just one, to be honest. Can I tell you about my mom? She has worked so hard my whole life. She now owns and runs her own small business and still makes time to tackle my financial questions and paperwork. She has cheered me on from the first day that I started my company and even purchased my book for all of her friends, even though she didn’t need to. I could have given her some! She’s the best.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’d say casual and feminine. I own a lot of pieces with frills, bows and lace. But I usually dress them down with a pair of glittery Keds sneakers.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Vancouver?
The housing prices, of course. Haha! No. Really though, the food scene is amazing. It’s such a multicultural city with so many great restaurants, cafes and food trucks. Also, the city is absolutely gorgeous!
What’s the most fulfilling part of your career?
Hands down, it’s connecting with customers, social media followers and fellow bakers. I have met so many wonderful people in the past seven-and-a-half years. Some have become great friends.
What inspired you to start pursuing baking?
I found myself at a job that made me miserable and I desperately needed a change. I always loved baking but the thought of doing something I loved and making money that way was so foreign to me A few years after leaving my job (and brushing up on my baking skills), I just went for it and started my own little company out of my apartment. I can’t believe it has been eight years since that day!
I was so desperate for a creative outlet. That desperation, together with corporate job boredom and my love of baking made me just go for it.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Oh, French fries, for sure! Either that or a pepperoni and jalapeno pizza.
What quality are you working on yourself right now?
I’m working on being gentle with myself, if that makes sense. As a female entrepreneur, you tend to guilt yourself into thinking you should be doing more, working harder, being better, working longer hours and it can be mentally and physically exhausting at times.
I’m learning to not be so hard on myself if I take time off, or if I don’t stay up to write emails late into the evening, or if I don’t take an extra cake order so that I can spend time with my dog or my friends.
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in business?
I’m very independent and I don’t like asking for help. But I’ve learned that I can’t do it all myself and to ask for help when I need it. It’s something I still struggle with, but I’ve gotten much better at it in the past year or so.
What advice do you have for those trying to break into the baking industry?
Be prepared to work hard because it’s a fast-paced and competitive industry, for sure. That and wear comfortable shoes 😉
Click here to visit The Babe Shop!
Keep up with Tessa on Instagram @sweetbakeshop.
Introduction written by Lindsay Pearce.
Photography by Ryan Pugsley.