Q: Tell us a little bit about your business!

A: Sweeter Cards is the first-ever greeting card and gourmet chocolate bar all in one. We are woman (and mom!) owned, use fair trade certified chocolate, recyclable card packaging, and employ adults with disabilities to bring our two-for-one concept to life. Our chocolatier has been making unbelievably delicious and ethically-sourced chocolate for over 40 years, and we are proud to be based and made in St. Louis, Missouri.

Q: Which women have you been inspired by during your career?

A: I’m motivated by the everyday woman, to be honest. It always amazes me how many things we women juggle. We think creatively, kindly, and strategically, and most of us are balancing fairly heavy mental and emotional loads with equal parts grace and sweat.

Q: Tell me about a small daily ritual that makes you feel powerful/like yourself.

A: I usually look myself in the mirror, take a deep breath with an audible sigh, and then say something like “you got this” or “you can do this” while doing a strong girl pose (think bicep curl and pursed lips!). You might laugh at yourself the first time you do it, but I’ve been doing it for 10+ years at this point and me and that woman in the mirror never fail each other.

Q: What advice would you give to women who want to start their own business? 

A: Do the first step. That’s it. And when the first step is done, do the second one. And when that one is done, do the third. Remember that EVERYONE started with step one. No one who “made it” started from any other point than you’re at now. Starting something is simply STARTING it. You do not, and will not, know everything from day one. None of us did. We might seem like we “know so much more” but we didn’t when we were at the exact same point you might be in now. And finally: Do not compare. Do not compare. Do not compare. Everyone exaggerates anyway ;)