Sweet Success: Chasing a Dream with Chelsea Puricelli
In this episode of Hustle Culture Dropout, host I interview Chelsea Puricelli, a self-taught baker and the owner of Sweet P Custom Cookies. Chelsea shares her journey from being a full-time teacher to starting her own successful bakery business in San Antonio, expanding from custom cookies to a full range of bakery items. She discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of self-care, and maintaining work-life balance as a small business owner. Chelsea also touches on overcoming self-doubt and the significance of remembering her ‘why’ to push through tough times. The discussion provides valuable insights for anyone looking to start their own business or navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Introduction to Chelsea Purcelli:
I introduce Chelsea Purcelli, owner of Sweet P Custom Cookies, highlighting her journey from a full-time teacher to a self-taught baker and decorator.
Starting Out:
Chelsea shares her passion for baking, influenced by her childhood experiences with her mother who was a baker. She stumbled upon cookie decorating in 2016 and began experimenting with it as a hobby.
Navigating Doubt and Comparison:
Both Chelsea and I discuss the challenges of comparison and imposter syndrome in the creative business industry. Chelsea reflects on her own struggles with self-doubt and the pressure of comparing herself to others.
Transitioning to Full-Time:
Chelsea recounts the gradual transition from teaching to pursuing her cookie business full-time. She discusses the pivotal moment of turning down orders due to time constraints, signaling the need for a career change.
Overcoming Self-Doubt:
I explore with Chelsea how she pushed through moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. Chelsea reflects on the initial fear of leaving her teaching job and how she persevered by trusting the process and embracing the excitement of the unknown.
Understanding the Long Haul:
I reflect on Chelsea’s six-year journey since dedicating herself full-time to her business, emphasizing the importance of patience in entrepreneurship. We discuss the common challenges faced by small businesses, especially in the transition from the initial excitement to the more challenging phases.
Managing Burnout and Boundaries:
Chelsea shares her experiences of feeling overworked and burnt out, emphasizing the need for better self-management and boundary-setting. We discuss the importance of saying no to maintain work-life balance and preserve creative energy, highlighting the struggle to decline opportunities in fear of missing out or disappointing others.
Navigating Loneliness in Entrepreneurship:
We discuss the loneliness that can accompany entrepreneurship, especially when transitioning from traditional employment with built-in social structures. Chelsea and I emphasize the importance of maintaining connections with friends and finding balance between work and personal life.
Reconnecting with Purpose:
They delve into the concept of “finding your why” and how it sustains motivation during challenging times.Chelsea reflects on her reasons for pursuing entrepreneurship, including the desire for freedom and flexibility in her schedule.
Redefining Success Beyond Financial Metrics:
Chelsea and I discuss redefining success to include non-monetary factors like time freedom and personal fulfillment. We highlight the value of time as a non-renewable resource and emphasize the importance of aligning work with personal values.
Connect with Sweet P Custom Cookies:
You can find Chelsea online by visiting her website
or on socials
Instagram
Facebook
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for weekly chit chat on all things self care, mental wellness and lifestyle!
If you want to watch the video version of this episode make sure to head over to YouTube and subscribe to my channel!
For full transcript, click here!
