Life & Work with Cynthia Spain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Spain.

Hi Cynthia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by walking us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story is one of a little luck and a lot of passion for creating. On Valentine’s Day in 2019, I gifted my first set of decorated sugar cookies to nurses after my husband was hospitalized. It was this small gesture that set me off on a sweet journey. Word about my cookies spread quickly through my town, with my friends literally launching me into business. I soon found myself deep in the world of cookie decorating, eager to learn and perfect my skills. My attention to detail and a touch of perfectionism have become my trademarks, and I take great pride in every cookie I create. I built my business in Northern California and now find myself in beautiful Southport, NC, where I am enjoying creating in my new “cookie kitchen” and am getting to know my sweet community, one cookie at a time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Fortunately, the road to building my business has been smooth, with just a few twists and turns along the way. Honing my cookie decorating skills was really just the first step on my journey. Learning to navigate the regulatory requirements and understanding the business aspects of running a cottage food business were early challenges. Building a loyal customer base involved a lot of flexibility in adapting my creations to fit the ever-changing party themes, marketing my goodies to corporate clients, and working with event and party planners. A cross-country move in 2023 from coastal California to coastal North Carolina was the most significant curve in the road. The regulations on home bakeries are significantly different in my new state. It took months to secure the required town approval before I could begin turning an unused space at our home into a bakery that met state requirements. I used the downtime during the kitchen construction to introduce myself to local businesses by gifting cookies, and to volunteer as a “sugar angel” for Icing Smiles, an organization that supports families of children going through medical issues. Today, I find myself enjoying the meandering path of a smaller town, that allows me to choose (or change!) the direction I’ll go as my business continues to develop and grow.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work as a licensed home baker centers around my specialty in handcrafted decorated sugar cookies. What sets me apart is my dedication to creating jaw-dropping and unforgettable designs that not only look good but also taste great. There’s nothing better than hearing my clients say, “Wait, that’s a cookie?!?” or “That’s way too pretty to eat!” I consider my cookies to be edible little works of art. While my signature style is ever-evolving, I do favor certain practices that I feel elevate the cookie design, provide an overall cohesiveness to a set, and leave my personal touch on every order. I love incorporating watercolor techniques and hand-painted details into traditional piped designs and using airbrushing and stencils to add depth and texture. Another distinction is that I use glaze icing. Glaze has a much softer bite and tastes much better than the traditional royal icing that is made with meringue powder. I am proud of my reputation as a client-focused cookier with a keen eye for detail, flexibility, and a commitment to delivering beyond expectations. I cherish the trust my clients place in me to bring their visions to life, and I take great pleasure in being a small part of so many special occasions and milestone celebrations.

What were you like growing up?
I’m pretty sure that the love of baking skipped a generation in my family. While I certainly don’t have memories of the heavenly scent of warm cookies waiting for me after school, my grandfather did always have a special child-sized loaf of bread just for me – and a coffee can full of snickerdoodles- whenever we visited. I was born and raised in a beautiful Southern California beach town. Summer days were spent sailing or cruising around in my convertible VW Bug (which I still have!) with the top down and radio on! I’ve always been self-motivated, a bit of a perfectionist, and have always loved the arts. My youth was filled with creativity, music, and time spent in the quiet of nature. My involvement in instrumental music and dance allowed me to express myself and discover my true passions, but I never would’ve guessed that I’d become a cookie artist!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thesweetspot.ca
• Facebook: @thesweetspot.ca
• Email:[email protected]