Sweet taste of success

What if I told you that people, business owners, in particular, are spending $500, $5000, $10,000 a month on personal and professional development? Depending on where you are in your growth, this may sound like a lot of money. But what if this is just a fraction of what they recoup. Does that shift your perspective from spending money to investing money?

Shavone Lave, Owner of The Sugar Hut. The Sugar Hut is a locally owned and operated bakery located in Waianae. “A business is simply an exchange of a product or service for a profit. Keyword - PROFIT.” Shavone explains, “It is my job as the owner and CEO of my business to ensure profitability so we can continue doing what we love.”

Having skin in the game opens up new opportunities - new connections, knowledge, perspective. “When you have to pay for an investment, you ensure that you show up!” said Shavone. “Oftentimes, being an entrepreneur can be lonely. But there’s a whole lot of entrepreneurs just like you, going through the same situation or have gone through what you are going through.”

In this interview, you’ll peek into the mindset of a woman who took her business from side-hustle to five years of brick and mortar establishment.

Michelle: How do you continue to innovate and push through all the struggles of growing a business?

Shavone: Let me repeat that question, because this is a BIG question. 

Growing a business takes a lot of guts and gumption. It’s constantly stepping out of your comfort zone and literally paving your own way. It’s giving up the stability of a full-time income with benefits, and instead, relying solely on the efforts of yourself. 

I continue to innovate and push through all the struggles of growing a business because of my employees, customers and community. A business is simply an exchange of a product or service for a profit. Keyword - PROFIT. To be in business month after month, year after year, decade after decade means that your business is profitable. Without a profitable business, I will not be able to serve my community, customers and employees.

It is my job as the owner and CEO of my business to ensure profitability so we can continue doing what we love. It sometimes means getting really uncomfortable for the bigger picture. It may mean sacrificing income, to allow my employees to take home a paycheck. Wearing all the hats in your business such as web designer, blogger, email marketer, advertiser, social media manager….you name it, so you can give your customers the type of product and service you envision. It also means volunteering your time to give back to the community, because the community that you do business in, is the community that is keeping your business IN business. 

I continue to innovate and pivot to the demand of my community and customers because I want to be the best for them. But let's be real, innovating in my type of business is really lots of research and development. R&D in my game equals, lots of sampling desserts and food. So it’s actually quite fun being innovative.

Michelle: What does your support system look like?

Shavone: I am so damn grateful to have a small yet sturdy support system. 

My husband believes in every single one of my dreams. I’ve often told a story that if I decided that I wanted to sell sticks and stones on the side of the road, he’d gladly do it with me. 

My two boys, 10 and 15, think I’m a total badass and popular for being on TV and guest speaking haha! They are my why, and why I continue to do hard things. 

My biz bestie and accountability partner, Nikki of Cupcakes Boom is my sounding board. We talk every single day for encouragement and sometimes just to talk story. Oftentimes, being an entrepreneur can be lonely. It can seem as though you’re the only one going through whatever situation is tough. But there’s a whole lot of entrepreneurs just like you, going through the same situation or have gone through what you are going through. Find your biz bestie. Why do life and business by yourself, when you can do it with a tribe of people who support you?

My family. Always there when I need them. From helping me with school pick ups or drop offs, to lending a helping hand in the bakery. They’re always there. 

Michelle: Share your most significant investments in yourself as an entrepreneur.

Shavone: The most significant investments in myself as an entrepreneur has been personal development. Personal development includes books, podcasts, trainings, workshops, online courses, business coaching, mentorships, masterminds and more! 

It's crazy to think that I’ve spent (still spending) a fortune to get a piece of paper that is called a Masters Degree and I am no longer using it. Investing in yourself is the most important investment that I believe you can make. My first investment was a $500 course and I was so afraid to make it, but it made me realize that education is everywhere and all around you, you just need to reach out and get it. You don’t have the money to invest, well start at Google and YouTube University. But remember that if you really only show up depending on how much skin in the game you have. When you have to pay for an investment, you ensure that you show up! 

Michelle: How does personal and professional development support your growth?

Shavone: I really don’t know. I feel like I’ve done it all. Until something new and shiny comes along that I never knew existed. I am ready and open to anything that comes my way. I believe the universe will present an opportunity when I need it. I am going with the flow and listening to what feels right to me. 

Michelle: Where do you plan on taking your business in the next 5 years?

Shavone: In the next 5 years, I hope to have an additional location with both locations operating without me in the bakery. 

I have invested into so much personal development myself and I feel like I have so much to share with other aspiring entrepreneurs. Partnered with my experience of owning a small business, I feel like I can help other women take the next right step. I don’t know what journey God will take me on, but I am open to receiving it. 

Pursuing your passion means searching for answers and surrounding yourself with people who will support your journey. If you’re looking for ongoing resources and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, then consider joining our Oak + Pine Society. Click here to see if our membership doors are open.