Tiffany Marie Ermon is a dedicated and hard-working alumni who has set big goals for herself, and achieved them. Ermon graduated from UIC in the the spring of 2013, majoring in Psychology and attended the French Pastry School in the fall of 2013. Caution: Reading this article will cause your tastebuds to water and your stomach to growl!
HC: Why did you choose to attend UIC?
TE: I always felt that UIC was such a prestigious school. It was the only university in which I applied. Attending UIC was such a great learning and personal growth experience. I am proud to say that I am an alumni.
HC: Tell us about your business; when it started, where it’s located, and what you provide:
TE: SweetCakes Couture is a dessert catering business that I started in 2011. Currently I operate from shared commercial kitchen. I am working toward having a mobile food truck in the near future. SweetCakes Couture specializes in wedding cakes, specialty cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops. We also offer seasonal items.
HC: Have you always known that you wanted to start your own bakery?
TE: I always knew that I love to cook. I grew up helping my grandmother and mother in the kitchen. I took a cake decorating class and then started to read books on the topic and soon realized that I had a knack for cakes. My hobby then started to become a part of my everyday life. Friends and family began to ask me to make desserts frequently. I wanted to know every aspect of cakes and desserts and decided to enroll into the French Pastry School here in Chicago. I graduated in the top of my class with an “A” average. I absolutely love cake and desserts.
HC: How long have you been baking and what’s your favorite treat to make (and eat)?
TE: I have been baking since I was a child, but I decided that I would give my hobby more attention and nurture my passion for cake baking and decorating in 2011. My favorite dessert is a warm deep dish cookie topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce. I also can’t get enough of my lemon cake with lemon cream filling and candied almonds.
HC: What’s the most unique cupcake/cake flavor that you have made?
TE: Currently I have been experimenting with seasonal flavors such as pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie cakes. I like to try different combinations of flavors with the cake, frosting, and fillings. I want my clients to think outside of the box and try different flavor other than just the basic chocolate and vanilla. I’m working on a cocktail cake collection. The piña colada cake has been a hit with my friends.
HC: If you had to estimate how many cupcakes you’ve made in your life, how many would it be?
TE: I would say that I have made at least close to one thousand cupcakes in my life time. Maybe more.
HC: I know if I were around sweets all day I would always be snacking on them, how do you control yourself from not eating all your baked goods?!
TE: Honestly, I do have to taste my cakes, filling, and frostings. I make everything from scratch. I pride myself in my baking and I do have a weakness for desserts. Let’s just say…. I am not a stranger to the gym.
HC: If you had your own baking show on TV what would it be called?
TE: SweetCakes Couture
HC: Do you have any advice for college students that want to build up their own business one day?
TE: Work hard and become an expert at your craft. Be the best you can at what you do and you are bound to succeed. Apply this to all aspects of life (not just in owning a business) but school, work, and as a person. Nurture talents, remember practice makes perfect. Learn everything about the business that you are interested in. Take classes, become an intern, immerse yourself into the field.
HC: What was the most challenging obstacle you’ve had to overcome in order to have a successful business?
TE: Anything that is worth having, is a challenge. The process of starting a business is challenging. You are learning something new about the business and yourself daily. I think it’s important to strive to be the best you can, dedicate yourself to your dream and never give up. Make realistic goals and have a plan to reach them, and don’t be afraid because there will always be challenges along the way. Even the greats like Bill Gates had challenges to stay innovative and he was the best. Do not let challenges stand in your way. Chase your dreams…. I’m still chasing mine.
HC: Anything you’d like to add?
TE: Thank you for allowing me to be your campus celebrity. How cool is that!
For more info on Tiffany’s dessert catery business be sure to visit her website, SweetCakes Couture and like her on Facebook!