Meet Janchell Swanson | Sweet Maker and Culinary Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janchell Swanson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janchell, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
1. My thought process was I knew that I wanted to work for myself. Even though I still work an 8-5 currently, my goal is to eventually be full time. I have enjoyed baking and cooking from a young age. My grandmother was a huge inspiration for me. She would always host the pastors and guest who came into town to visit our church. I remember how much love and care she took in the preparation from the meal all the way down to the desserts. Everyone who came, she always made them feel at home, and they did. Seeing that and how much everyone enjoyed themselves and where comfortable, is what made me really want to do this for a living.

2. The business of culinary and baking has been a male dominated industry for many years. When I became interested in the field there where not many females to look up to, let alone black females. I stared in this business in my early 20’s and it became very clear that if I wanted to be heard and seen I would come out of my introverted shell and speak up. Being in this business has taught me confidence and that my voice has value.

3. Honestly, I have just recently started to think about risk taking. As I am getting older, I’m realizing how important risk taking is. I’m learning the best way to get what you really want out of life is to take a risk. Of course not one that will harm you or anyone else, but one that will benefit you and honestly those around you as well. I started putting my food and dessert creations on social media. EEEKKK! LOL! But I found the more I do it the more comfortable I become in letting strangers see what I’ve created. I know it will help me in the long run, so to me that’s a perfect example of risk taking.

4. The single most important decision I have made has been to just be myself. I can’t be like anyone else but me. I can take inspiration from others, I can tweek different ideas that I come across to make them my own but the thing that will bring people that are for me, to me is being myself. There is only one me, and no one else can claim that. Someone out there needs what I have and I want it to be as authentic as possible.

5. I think the most important factor has been just trying to put myself out there more. For example, this article, I would have never thought in a million years that someone would ask me ” Hey we want to know more about you and your business”! Really??!! But I really feel like this is God’s way of telling me that more doors are getting ready to open for you, so Buckle Up! LOL!

6. Learning to let go and let God. Some may think oh that’s easy, well sometimes it’s not. Sometimes I struggle with not knowing what will happen next and I try to figure it out myself instead of just asking Him. But the older I get the more I am realizing how much smoother my life becomes when I allow God to lead me.

7. Currently I work a 8-5 and going to school, so my work life balance is a little hectic. So as for my business, I’m working on putting more of a focus on it. There is still so much I want to learn and do. Thinking about balance has made me more aware of what I really want. I made a promise to myself that this year, I would focus more on the things that make me happy and give me joy. My business is apart of that equation.

8. I will live in the moment! I have so many great memories as a child, so much so my mom always asks me, ” How do you remember that?!” LOL I have always been one to live in the moment and take everything in. I feel we have lost some of that. I believe it is so important to really take in and cherish every moment. It can enrich our lives in such a positive way. I want to convey that experience with my food and desserts.

9. I chose a creative career because I love to cook and bake. For me, it’s relaxing. I enjoy it, it’s something that doesn’t feel like work to me. It’s the excitement I get seeing someone eat what I have created and seeing the joy on their faces, or when they request something over and over again that I’ve made and they savor it like it’s the first time, that to me is priceless.

10. I would like my legacy to be one of inspiration and love. I would hope that people would remember me as a woman who loved and loved hard. I care for those around me. I hope they remember that I did my best in striving for my goals, and not giving up no matter how long it took for me to reach them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The art of culinary and baking is so exciting! The best part of this artform is everyone has to eat! LOL So there is so much room for you to be creative and experiment with different foods and sweets. I’ve worked in many areas of the food industry, anywhere from hospitals, assisted living to restaurants. I’ve been in positions of hostess all the way to Lead Cook and I have loved everyone of those positions. Each position has taught me something different. Hosting taught me how to communicate and teamwork. If the hostess doesn’t communicate effectively with the servers, then it not only makes their job harder it also makes the back of the houses job difficult as well. I’m most proud that I was able to take all that I’ve learned and use those skills for my own business. Working in the back of the house as a Lead Cook you learn multitasking, so much multitasking. LOL So I use that now, especially with me still working a 8-5. It is definitely not always easy. I do struggle with finding time to be creative, but I try to at least do something that will benefit my passion and my business, even if it’s just posting content or while I’m cooking dinner I will take clips of me cooking and post that to my social media platforms. I have learned to take it one day at a time. Now a days everything is so fast pace, you feel like you have to keep up with the newest trends. I am learning that everything will come in time and not to punish myself for not being where I think I should. But to really make a plan and take it on piece by piece. I would like others to know that Sweeties Sweet Treats is a brand that is created by a love all things food and sweets. I created this business from a passion for people and being their for there most special moments. I created this business to be an inspiration to others who love to be creative and know that they too can make a special space for themselves to enjoy what they do and at the same time be in service to others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first I would take them on a little road trip down to Austin! OMG! We lived there for about 2yrs and loved it. The scenery alone is worth the drive. I would definitely take them to the Hill Country for a drive. I would take them to a BBQ spot called Smokey Mo’s. Great BBQ, they also have burgers and Taco Salads where they put the BBQ meat in the salad, you talk about good! Then I would take them back up this way to Waco. Of course we have to stop by Magnolia for some home decor shopping. Then back to the Big D! For a nice day out I would take them to the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. Lots of shops to visit there. I would take them down to BBBop for the best Korean Fried Chicken in Dallas! Another spot would be the Dallas Arboretum. We would have a Tea Lunch and then take a tour of the gardens. And before they leave I would have to take them to fill up on Texas goodies from none other than… Buc-ee’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and my husband.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweeties_sweet_treats

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweetiessweettreats

Youtube: Chef Reese on youtube

Other: sjanchell@yahoo.com

Image Credits
Joshua Swanson Christopher Lee