Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Phan.
Nancy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making caramel apples about 9-10 years ago because I used to get them from a chocolate store in the mall. I was in high school during that time so it was kind of hard for me to keep buying them since I didn’t have a job so I was BROKE. I decided to make my own – OG flavor was caramel with white chocolate and oreo. Then as the years went on, I would make them as party favors for family gatherings then I started making them to gift to friends and coworkers during the holidays. In 2018, my coworkers told me I should start selling them, something I thought of but never pulled the trigger because I wasn’t sure if people would even be interested in purchasing them. Fast forward three years, here I am known as the lady with the crack apples with so much more flavors. People say they’re so addicting that I probably put cocaine in them, haha!
I started my business off with dipped desserts because chocolate is what I knew and loved. Then I eventually branched out to try and defeat macarons. While I’ve got it down, no one ever defeats macarons! I now create tons of other sweets because my goal is to be the one stop shop for desserts – whether it’s for cravings, party favors, gifts, anything to make someone smile. I love turning my clients’ vision into reality.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think something like this will ever be consistently smooth. The business will have its good moments and of course its bad moments. Nobody is going to sit and teach you every single step from melting chocolate, to creating your product, to pricing and more. You have to be patient and willing to invest and learn in yourself and your business. There is no shame in reaching out for help because like everything else, there is always more to learn as nothing is ever stagnant, especially with trends. You want to keep up but also stand out. I sometimes get creator’s block. When this happens, I try to slow down and do some ideas that I want to rather than what I’m asked to, basically bring it back to the reason I started – because I loved creating.
Starting off is always a struggle because you’re still establishing your business and trying to get your name out there so don’t expect to blow up overnight. Once that’s set you’re trying to always do more, or I hope that what you’re trying to do because growth is everything. It won’t be as hard as when you first started, but don’t think struggles will go away. For me, the struggles help keep me motivated and hungry to want more and do better.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
PhanncyTreats is derived from my first and last name – Nancy Phan (like fan). Before treats, I was part of the beauty world. I just love aesthetics and pretty things! I transitioned to treats because of my ex-coworkers pushing me to start my business. The business allows me to be the creative and do what I want to do. My business is known for chocolate strawberries and caramel apples – although I do a variety of treats, those are the two items that most know me for. I try putting my own twist to them by creating toppings and the caramel from scratch. I feel that that is very important because oftentimes, things like dipped treats can look like similar to other dippers’ work out there, but the taste is what sets it apart and can make or break the relationship with your clients. Authenticity is what I pride myself on, which is why I strive to make and bake majority of my products from scratch, provide the best customer service that I know how to, and put myself in the shoes of the client so I can understand their point of view and allow me to be a better business owner. I would love for you to let readers know that it does not hurt to ask availability and ANY vision you have that you’re hoping my business could fulfill for you. Any special requests will be thoroughly thought through. Again there is no harm in asking! I try my best to accommodate.
What’s next?
I would love to just grow bigger, build lasting relationships, and expand my skillsets. I hope to be a member of farmers markets’ and even night markets as I love to meet people. Farmer’s Markets remind me of pop-ups and I always have a blast being a vendor.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/phanncytreats
- Facebook: facebook.com/phanncytreats
