Meet Omaima Alshaikh | Baking Business Owner & Artist

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

Hi Omaima, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Most people looking from the outside in don’t realize the amount of time, labor, and dedication it takes to run a small business. Most small business owners have responsibilities outside of their work like 9 to 5 occupations, maintaining households, schooling and education, not to mention the time dedicated to self care and their social/family life. As a small business owner myself, I’m the only one behind my business, so tasks like marketing, creating products, pricing, organizing/maintaining a schedule, and keeping stock of inventory all fall squarely on my shoulders. Being a junior in high school, I find myself constantly juggling the responsibilities of my work life, school life, and personal life, and am still learning how to do so without getting overwhelmed or working myself into the ground.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of how far my business has come from where it started. For a long while I baked for friends and family, sharing my hobby with those willing to put on a few pounds. That number became fewer and fewer the longer I baked, and I was eager to share my baking with new people. I started my first baking “business,” Sweet Cakes, during middle school, around the age of 12 or 13. With little to no resources outside of free template sites and a home computer, I sold cake pops in amazon boxes out of my school locker to other students and teachers. I loved seeing people happy with my treats and had fun making connections with my peers. Eventually, I prioritized my school work over my little business and in the meantime I honed my skills, tried new recipes and techniques—as well as tried other forms of creative expression like art and writing—and developed an inventory of tools and supplies that best suited my needs. Fast forward four years and the world is in the midst of a pandemic. I was restless at home all day during summer break and eager to put my skills to better use. That’s when I decided I was going to give my baking business another try. I reopened under a new name: Baked With Sprinkles, and made myself known for custom orders for any type of occasion. This became my new favorite part about the business; the aspect of customization opened countless doors for me to try new things and expand my capabilities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many things to do for fun where I live. Depending on what piques your interest, you can find a place or experience for virtually anyone. For a relaxing day of basking in nature’s beauty, you could take a stroll through the ‘Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden’. For an oceanic experience, pay a visit to the ‘Dallas World Aquarium’ or ‘Grapevine Aquarium.’ There’s also a plethora of indoor and outdoor shopping malls sprinkled all over the city, like the ‘Shops at Legacy’ or ‘Shops at Willowbend’, that offer an effervescent nightlife, picture-perfect scenery, and countless stops to get a bite to eat of something you’ve yet to try. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a walk through ‘Limestone Quarry Park’ or hike through 600 acres of the scenic wilderness known as the ‘Cedar Ridge Preserve.’ For a day of family-friendly fun, there’s the renowned ‘Six Flags over Texas’ theme park alongside “Hurricane Harbor’ waterpark, both just a little ways away from downtown Dallas. Or for some late night sightseeing, you could take a drive to downtown Dallas to witness the lights and picturesque buildings and get a feel for the city skyline. My personal favorite sight in the downtown area is the famed Reunion Tower alight at night during the holidays. I really appreciate the variety of sights and activities this area has to offer. A short drive in one direction will give you a whole other world of possible experiences than a drive the other way, and it makes it a perfect place to get inspired and explore new experiences.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shout out to my parents; without their help I wouldn’t have accomplished half as much as I have now. On the days I worked into the late hours of the night, they stayed up to keep me company, and helped me navigate pricing my products, taking pictures for marketing, and overseeing the transactions between myself and my customers to ensure I was getting my efforts’ worth. They encouraged me to try new things, explore my passions, and draw lines between my business and personal life. I also have all of my close friends and family to thank for spreading the word and helping my business get on its feet. Even though I’m the one behind the wheels, my success is a result of all of their joint efforts and encouragement, and I am forever grateful to have their support on this journey.

Instagram: instagram.com/bakedwithsprinkles

Facebook: facebook.com/bakedwithsprinklesofficial

Other: bakedwithsprinklesofficial@gmail.com