We specialize in Custom Creations for EVERY Event!
LOCAL RETAILERS:
COUNTRYSIDE FLOWERSHOP
Rt 176, Crystal Lake
815-459-8130
Member Crystal Lake
Chamber of Commerce
and ISHOP Crystal Lake
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| February 2009 Business Journal |
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View From the Top at Cyndy's Sweet Treats
'I am a perfectionist'
By Chris Freeman cfreeman@nwnewsgroup.com Cyndy Keene didn't start her career as a baker, or chocolatier. She began in customer service.
Little wonder then that Keene is hyperfocused on her clients at Cyndy's Sweet Treats.
"I am a perfectionist," she said. "I treat all of my customers the same. It doesn't matter if they are purchasing one box of candy or 100 boxes of candy. I want everyone to feel that they are my No. 1 customer."
The work and attention to detail has paid dividends for Keene, whose home-based candy making business has taken off in the past four years. Her chocolates won three awards at the Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon in September.
That Keene has been able to accomplish this while helping raise five children is another testament to her organization abilities.
"Being pregnant with our fifth child, I figured [making and selling candy] was a good way to supplement the family income and be able to stay home with my kids," she recalled. "My husband actually took the first step. He got me the Web site and told me "you now have a Web site, I know you can make it happen." So Cyndy's Sweet Treats was born."
The Business Journal recently interviewed Keene to learn more about her and her role at Cyndy's Sweet Treats.
Business Journal: Did you pursue higher education?
Keene: I went to Northern Illinois University for two years and Ray College of Design in Chicago for a semester. I majored in art and I left college to become a mom.
Business Journal: What was your first job?
Keene: I was as a cashier at Stuarts, a clothing store in Randhurst Shopping Mall in Mt. Prospect. I was 16 years old and paid $3.15 an hour.
Business Journal: How you got where you are today?
Keene: I was a customer service manager at Dawe's Laboratories in Arlington Heights. It is a family owned company that manufactures animal farm feed. I had so many duties that I learned everything from purchasing, quoting customers, inventory, working with the plant managers, putting out customer problems and so much more. When I was pregnant with my middle son, I began telecommuting and learned the discipline of working at home. I went back to work full-time, and then became pregnant with my daughter. At that time, it was not beneficial for me to work, and I quit my job. My husband had a career change, and I began to bake and make candy all the time. He brought the goodies into work and his co-workers told me that I needed to sell them.
Business Journal: What does your company do?
Keene: Cyndy's Sweet Treats makes fresh, hand-dipped chocolates. The unique thing about us is that everything is made fresh for our clients and can be customized. From the candy that is inside the box to the labeling on the outside, everything can be customized. We have a full line of customizable party favors, sweet tables, and client gifts - almost anything chocolate. The Web site was launched in 2004. During our busy times, I have several family members that help prepare the confections, packaging, shipping and customized labels.
Business Journal: What kinds of things do you do?
Keene: I do everything on a daily basis. I make candy centers, cover chocolate, mold candies, package candies. I read e-mails from clients and send them to potential customers. I design one-of-a-kind labeling for party favors and customer boxes. I purchase ingredients, deliver and invoice clients. Then I clean the kitchen to make sure that it is ready for another day.
Business Journal: How many hours do you usually work.
Keene: Because everything is made fresh for my clients, I can work anywhere from 10 to 100 hours in a week. It just depends on the orders that I have in-house. I want to make sure that all the candies are perfectly made, packaged to my standards, and delivered in a timely fashion.
Business Journal: Do you have a mentor?
Keene: I have a few mentors. In business, I would have to say Charles Dawe. He taught me so much in regards to managing a company. I felt that he took me under his wing and wanted me to know all of his knowledge. Since I have left his company, I have been able to ask for his advice and he has given it to me without a personal input. My personal mentors have been my parents and my husband. They have given me incredible advice (whether I wanted it or not) and kept me on the straight and narrow when I have drifted off path. My parents instilled in me growing up that I could achieve whatever I wanted to. My husband has been my rock through everything. I am able to throw ideas by them (as well as flavor combinations) and they give me their advice.
Business Journal: How has your industry changed over time?
Keene: My industry has changed from the corner candy store to the huge manufactured candy that people purchase today. Most candies have preservatives, and by the time it gets to the consumer, it is no longer fresh. There is a HUGE difference between fresh dipped and manufactured candies. There are also companies that have had a very good product, then get bought out, and the candies are just not the same. The new company either does not use the same type of ingredients or changes the recipes.
Business Journal: What are the challenges you face?
Keene: One of the challenges is not having an actual storefront that people can go into when they want a box of candy. People forget that I am online or just a phone call away, or they don't know that I am here.
Business Journal: What do you like best about your job?
Keene: The best thing about my job is that each day is different. I love to see the expression on the face of someone who has not tasted my candy before. The bride that sees her favors for the first time. To be a part of these people's lives and exceeding their expectations. I am able to make candies at 2 in the morning if I need to, and am able to stay at home and be the best wife to my husband and mom to my kids.
Cyndy Keene
Title: Owner
Company: Cyndy's Sweet Treats. Candy is retailed at Countryside Flower Shop, 5301 E. Terra Cotta, Crystal Lake and the Wonderberry Tree, Three Oaks Road, Cary.
Age: 40
Hometown: Mount Prospect.
Residence: Crystal Lake.
Family: Husband, Rob; Children, Mike (20), Robert (10), TJ (8), Brittney (6), and Brandon (5).
Organizations: Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, I Shop Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills Pirates Travel Baseball.
Hobbies: My children's sports, reading, gardening, baking.
When I'm in a good mood, I put this song on: Don't have a particular song. I like '80ss music , Colbie Caillat and almost anything Disney.
Last movie I saw at the theater: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carey
Interesting fact about yourself: I was on TV for the Madrigal singers in high school, and then again two different times for my candy that won awards from the Aid's Foundation World of Chocolate. Also, my great aunt, Lonnie Stark, was a professional women's baseball player. She was a pitcher for the Parichy Bloomer Girls and Chicago Bluebirds.
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Award Winning
Chocolates!
2007, 2008 & 2009
Judges Choice
Aids Foundation
World of Chocolate!
3 top Awards at
the 2008
Chicago
Chocolate
Salon!
Featured in
The Chocolate Guide
by Taste TV
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