Sugar Mamma Caramels

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Family? Pets? Hobbies? Etc.
I was born in New York and raised in California, so I love both coasts! I am the baby of my family and always wanted to make everyone happy! I have loved cooking all my life, especially Italian food and desserts! I am married with two beautiful daughters. We moved to San Diego in 1991 and love it here!

Tell us about your business. How did you start your business and why? What do you do? Would you go back and do anything differently?
I have made my signature Sea Salt Caramels for years for Christmas gifts. Everyone told me to enter cooking contests, so I finally did. I won! I was interviewed on a San Diego morning TV show and they asked where to buy my caramels…that’s how it all began! 2013, Sugar Mamma Caramels was born!

Has it been a smooth road? Have you encountered struggles that you could share?
The road to opening a small business is not easy. I have learned it all by myself and have made mistakes along the way. Cooking, hand- wrapping, marketing, shipping, setting up a website, cold calling retailers, vending at events, playing the social media game…the list goes on and on. Happily, through it all, I LOVE making caramels!

What do enjoy the most about what you do? What do you enjoy the least?
I still love the magic of transforming sugar in caramels and marshmallows! I do not like hand wrapping 1000’s upon 1000’s of pieces every week.

What inspires you?
My love of making people happy. Seeing the bliss on their faces as they taste my caramels, is very inspiring!

What is your farewell piece of advice for someone interested in starting their own business?
Be brave, be bold, be yourself!

What is your favorite Candy Bar?
Theo 70% Dark Chocolate Bar

What is your favorite Childhood Memory?
Ice skating on our back patio in New York

You are a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be?
Aquamarine