Interview with Sadie Spalding
Noms By Grom
Sadie Spalding - Founder at 13 years old
Utah, USA
Sadie, a high schooler motivated by a financial goal, a trip to Costa Rica, decided to take matters into her own hands. Her business, Noms by Grom is the direct outcome of this motivation. Baking cakes with a seasonal theme for a friends and family customer base, Sadie has pursued a passion and made a pretty profit through doing so. Her business wraps up soon, but the skills she has onboarded from the experience, remain.
Impressed by the initiative taken on by this young baker, Kebloom followed up with Sadie:
1) How would you best describe Noms by Grom?
Noms by Grom is a monthly subscription of homemade cakes baked by my family and me. Each month is a new flavor that has a seasonal theme (ex. December’s cake was chocolate peppermint). This company was initially a fundraiser to raise money for my trip in June to Costa Rica. I decided this sort of business would be easy to set up and profitable and could then be shut down after I achieved my financial goals.
“I love receiving messages and pictures of my cakes with the customers. It makes me feel highly appreciated.”
2) Where is your business based?
My company is run from my home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3) How old were you when you founded your company?
I began my business in September of 2019 as a thirteen-year-old. Since February 2020 will be the last month of this business, I will still be thirteen.
“I feel like I have become more confident since becoming a business owner. Being naturally somewhat shy, this has helped me become more certain about what I want to achieve.”
4) What passions inspired Noms by Grom?
I began to take Spanish at my school this year as an eighth grader. My teacher offered the class an opportunity to go to Costa Rica in the summer to get a hands-on experience of the culture and life there. Over a few months, I learned some Spanish and became hugely passionate for the language. Getting the chance to go to a whole other country and get to apply the language in a real-world situation was very important to me. But in order to go, I had to fundraise money, inspiring me to create Noms by Grom.
5) Who supports you with your business?
First and foremost, my family are my biggest supporters. We dedicate an entire weekend each month to my business and my family willingly clears that time just so they can help me bake to raise money. I am very lucky to be so supported by them.
Next, all of my friends and family who order cakes from me are extremely supportive. I love receiving messages and pictures of my cakes with the customers. It makes me feel highly appreciated.
6) What advice would you give to social entrepreneurs/inventors?
My greatest piece of advice would be to have good time management skills. Since I am still young, I am pretty busy every week with school and sports. This makes having a business much more difficult to make time for.
With that said, it is very important to find a balance, which can lead to making sacrifices. Maybe it’s completing an essay in advance to have extra time for the business. Or waking up early to make another batch of vanilla buttercream frosting, so that after school there’s time to play sports and complete homework. It is important to figure out the best way to allocate your time.
7) To what extent would a platform like Kebloom have helped your achieve your dreams?
Kebloom offers me the chance to see other young people around my age getting to pursue what they love through their business. Kebloom can also help answer many questions about being an entrepreneur.
8) What has been the best part about running your business?
The best part has been getting to hear the feedback from my customers about the cakes. It makes me feel so happy receiving their pictures and responses.
9) What has been the most challenging part?
The most challenging part of running Noms by Grom is dedicating time to the business. From baking and decorating to shipping, it takes a huge amount of time that is surprisingly very demanding.
In one month, I had to make 25 cakes. It was very, scary and I didn’t think I would be able to pull it off. After many hours of work, I finally finished, and it felt like a huge accomplishment for both me and my business.
10) What skills do you feel you have developed since becoming a business owner?
I feel like I have become more confident since becoming a business owner. Being naturally somewhat shy, this has helped me become more certain about what I want to achieve. I have also learned a lot about financial planning.
…and anything else you’d like to add!
Facebook: @nomsbygrom
Instagram: @nomsbygrom
Website: https://www.nomsbygrom.com
About the Author:
Ellie McRae is the blogger, interviewer and content creator for Kebloom! When she’s not writing kick-ass articles, you’ll find her studying marketing and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Find out more about Ellie here.
Feeling Inspired?
Kebloom helps young people launch their idea into the real world with confidence. We are a step-by-step platform and partner though the whole process.