Autumn Schleusener shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Autumn, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think we all struggle with a form of doubt in our own worth/abilities. It is so easy to see someone successful, or happy on facebook, and look at our own life and think “I could never be that”. I constantly doubt my abilities as a business owner, a mom, a wife, a friend, you name it. And when people ask how it is going, I wonder if they ever want to hear the nitty gritty, or if we have deemed it impolite to be real and share our struggles. I have personally come a long way in fighting my doubt, but that took me getting in uncomfortable situations, forcing myself to pretend I am as good as I feel I need to be. And I think every single person can do something fantastic. And sometimes its not what you think it may be. You may struggle in one aspect of life and bloom in another. So it is important to set yourself up in an environment that plays to your strengths, not someone else’s expectations of what is success.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the proud owner for 3 years of Sheila’s Aussie Bakery LLC. We are the only Australian pie vendor, or any savory pie vendor for that matter, here in NC. When you ask someone, “what is Australian food?” alot of people have no idea. So it is a great honor to be the first introduction to many people, as well as a great responsibility to do so with Authenticity and Quality. And then there are Australians, British, Kiwis (New Zealand), South African, and Irish who all want these meat pies and sausage rolls. And so many say, ” this is just like home” and I feel so encouraged that I can bring them that moment of home and nostalgia. We have grown much in 3 years. The first year was markets, the second year was markets and food truck events, and the third year is food truck full time, markets, and now shipping. It started as a venture to keep me busy as a Stay at Home Mom, some extra cash, and to honor my husbands home country. And now it has become finding what my limits are, getting out of the “rat race” so to speak, and showing my two sons that success can be made on your own grit and ingenuity.
Our next steps are to get shipping in neighboring states and build a strong enough clientele that we can get our storefront with a strong foundation
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I hate to get on some holy horse and start preaching, that’s really not my style, but the truth is my relationship with God did the most in shaping myself. I think about when the most dramatic changes started occurring and it all started in college after my cousin Jess got me interested. When I fully committed I found myself more at peace, less concerned about how others perceived me, slower to anger, quicker to forgive, and more willing to make leaps I never would have before. All of my best life altering choices were ones that I felt called to do. It stopped being about my own personal plan, and let me release the burden of carrying all that weight. This whole Sheila’s journey has only been possible because of that relationship that I have come to cherish. There is NO WAY i would have gotten the food trailer if I didn’t feel called to, my anxiety was at an all time high, but I knew if I followed the calling, I would come through stronger. With every trial I come through feeling strong, proud, and feeling just so loved. And that’s all people really need to be shaped into something amazing. I believe love is the strongest force in the world, and can change things radically. And my relationship with God has radically changed me and my life. And as much as it has changed me, I still get shy talking about my faith because of the negative stigma it can carry. But there is only love here, and my own personal relationship and story
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Oh the list goes on and on. I was an awkward child that felt like I didn’t fit in. But I would tell myself that I am enough. That the grades don’t define me, that my looks won’t matter, that the hard times truly do pass. I would tell myself to focus on the good moments, to enjoy family every single day, to pursue what makes me happy. I would tell myself I am not spoiled, not selfish, not dorky, not dumb, not a bad friend for wanting alone time, not a bad student for messing up. I would tell myself I am so loved by my family.
that seems like a full list, but it is umbrellaed by being told I am enough as I am.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
You sure know how to ask the hard questions! The truth is, I think the majority of things are fads. Body image? Fad. The American Dream? Fad. The perfect vacation? The perfect job? Fad Fad Fad. And don’t come at me, but government? A fad.
When I think of a true foundational shift, I think of something that lasts years and years and years. I think a fad is fueled by a group mindset, being told something as true, whether or not it is. I think fads are things we can’t control as an individual. Can I control what is deemed attractive? No. But can I control my sense of self worth? yes. That is a true foundational shift. A foundational shift on a small scale can be done by finding personal truths, changing your core values to be more positive, A foundational shift on the larger scale is us, the people, not following the crowd and doing what has been done in the past. A true large scale can only happen when we do it on a small scale first, but I believe if we carve our own path, and stop following the status quo, and think for ourselves, the change we do can be fantastic. For example, imagine if 1/3 more people did their own business. Imagine if money was no longer going to large capital millionaires, and went to your local neighbor, teacher etc. just imagine how that could look. It takes true commitment, and strength, and support, to make a real foundational shift, where as a fad is just a passing fancy. Easily taken in, and easily tossed aside.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not going as far as I possibly can go WITHIN REASON. I’m not after some multi million dollar company. I refuse to compromise time with the family for something as petty as fame and money. But if it isn’t compromising the family, I know I will regret not seeing how far I can go. For my own personal growth, I want to see where the lid is. And I want my boys to see it too. I want my friends, customers, family, and sons to see what I do, and feel they have a shot at whatever dream they want to pursue. So as long as I quit because I am satisfied, not because I am fearful, I will be content. Because the business isn’t about the business. It isn’t about the money, but it’s about the story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sheilasaussiebakery.com
- Instagram: sheilas_aussie_bakery
