Reflecting on 2021
WHAT A YEAR! 2021 had some amazing highs and some low lows. This business has been hanging on by a thread for months and I am not giving up anytime soon. Thanks for your continued support. I truly appreciate you! xoxo
Here are some baking class highlights of 2021
I taught 206 classes in 2021, I previously taught 177 classes in 2020.
I have taught 515 classes since I began teaching on February 5th, 2018.
I taught over 100 topics in 2021.
I had 1 students take 43 classes between February and December 2021.
1 had 1 student take 34 classes between January and December 2021.
I taught Croissants for the first time and all 6 of my students made croissants successfully on zoom!! Super proud of this class and my students and my perseverance. It was not easy, and I was a wreck the day of the class and the entire night before the 2nd day and was praying for success for all of us!
I taught at my High School for 2 weeks as part of their summer enrichment program in June 2021.
I taught several kids camps in 2021 including: Cake camp, Chocolate lovers camp, French Themed camp and Cake pops camps to kids as young as 6 years old on zoom.
I taught 3 in home classes in 2021 and 3 in person classes in 2021 (2 at Gathering Kitchen in Lakewood and 1 at the Hildebrandt in Cleveland).
Most popular class: French Macarons
Most talked about classes by students: Anything with yeast (bagels, focaccia, cinnamon rolls), Croissants, Linzer cookies, French Macarons, Guinness cake
My favorite classes of 2021: Donuts,Croissants, Hummingbird cake, Guinness cake, Pear Almond Tart, Boozy Apple Crisp, Pumpkin beer bread, Mirror Glaze, Pattern cake roll, Bourbon pecan tart, Pavlova with lemon curd, Croquembouche, Savory Babka.
Here are some personal highlights of 2021
I was featured on Spectrum News1 on January 14th, 2021 with my parents and my student, Dana Nuemann.
I was featured in Currents NEO Magazine on February 15th, 2021.
I was featured on Cleveland.com on February 23rd, 2021 regarding my Irish cream cheesecake class hosted by Hudson Library.
I was in the West Life featuring my kids summer camps on May 19th, 2021.
I was featured on Yelps list of “The Best Dessert in Every State”. My pretzel salted caramel cheesecake was chosen for Ohio on May 24th, 2021.
I was featured on Cleveland.com on July 26th, 2021.
I was in the West Shore Sun on July 29th, 2021.
I was featured virtually live on New Day Cleveland on Fox 8 on March 23rd, 2021 showcasing my banana cream pies class and kids summer camps.
I taught 2 weeks at my high school, Magnificat for their summer enrichment program to 7th graders about baking and the science of baking.
I hired my first in person employee in June 2021. ( I also have an AMAZING virtual assistant, Debbie!)
I was featured as a guest speaker in a marketing group hosted by my friend, Diane Spadola on August 13th, 2021.
I was live in studio on New Day Cleveland on Fox 8 on August 20th, 2021 and on November 11th, 2021.
I celebrated my 4th Annieversary on August 27th, 2021.
I was featured in Cleveland Magazine in October 2021 as one of the 3 best DIY classes in Cleveland’s best of Cleveland issue.
I was featured on Voyage Ohio on November 18th, 2021.
I had my 2nd Great Lake Christmas Ale recipe featured in Cleveland Magazine’s December 2021 issue and my 3rd recipe featured in 2 years.
I was featured on Growing NEO through growing small business on December 21st.
My classes were mentioned on my friend Lisa Sands podcast CLE food cast for a holiday gift idea (episode 27).
A few of the challenges in 2021
Having to lay off my new hired employee within 2 months of hiring due to lack of business.
Having to move out of the Hildebrandt in September and having to repeatedly turn down business due to no longer having a place to teach in person classes.
Still running this business alone with no financial assistance is a constant struggle. I have some ideas for 2022 that I am working on, but it is a struggle to balance and sort out on my own.
You truly keep me going on the days that I feel the most stressed and I am beyond grateful to have your support. The best way to continue to support my business is to do the following:
Follow me on IG and FB @anniessignaturesweets and like my page, posts, share the posts and tag me.
Follow me on Eventbrite as an organizer, (Ann LoParo)
Sign up for my newsletter on my website
Sign up for my classes
Gift my classes to someone you know that would really enjoy a fun, new unique experience
Purchase my apron and tea towel set
Purchase my baking tool kit for you or someone you know would enjoy it
Share my information with friends, family, co-workers
Gather a group to host a private class
Write a review on google. This is the most common way people find me and every review helps.
2022 is kicking off with my first class of the year, Almond cake roll. I love hearing from you so never hesitate to reach out. Wishing you the best of the rest of 2021 and Cheers to 2022 being full of hope, love and lots of signature sweets.
xoxo
Annie