Happy December ladies, let us introduce you to Rebecca Hamilton, the founder and CEO of Chick Boss Cake. In addition, to running her baking business, Rebecca is also an author and a podcaster. We seriously are wondering where does she find the time to do it all? Rebecca shared with us what it means to be Pretty and Smart, how she came to be an entrepreneur, advice for those looking to take the leap as well as what is next for her. We are so appreciative that Rebecca took some time to share her story with us. Without further ado, meet Rebecca Hamilton.
Name or nickname if you have one:
Rebecca Hamilton
Zodiac sign:
Aquarius
What is your relationship with P&S Co.?
A fan! Love reading the content and seeing all the amazing featured women.
Where do you live and what do you do?
Tillsonburg Ontario. I am the founder & CEO of Chick Boss Cake, author of The Million Dollar Bakery and host of Scrap The Sweet Talk podcast.
What makes you feel pretty and smart/what does it mean to you?
Taking care of myself and making my well-being the number one priority at all times. For me, this means eating a diet that gives me energy, following my morning routine that helps to set my days up for success, only saying yes to projects that inspire me & not feeling guilty for saying no to projects that don’t. I’m passionate about sharing my message with other entrepreneurs that “You are your biggest asset, treat yourself as such”. A business can only be as successful and strong as the entrepreneur running it. Feeling pretty & smart is an inside job and although makeup, hair & clothes are fun, true self-love is an inside job!
What is your business called and how did it come to be?
My business is called Chick Boss Cake, it is a local bakery with 3 store locations in Southwestern Ontario: Woodstock, London & St Thomas. I started my bakery business out of my home a few years ago and have since grown it into a million-dollar business. I recently published my first book The Million Dollar Bakery about the entire story of how it came to be!
As a self-taught entrepreneur, the struggle was real. I dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and moved out on my own which was a huge challenge in and of itself. I had no formal education or previous experience in baking, cake decorating or business. So everything I’ve accomplished is a direct result of my own resiliency, tenacity & determination to make it work. My book goes into greater detail about my past struggles and how I grew my business to over a million in sales and it offers real, tangible tips for how anyone can turn their hobby into a million-dollar business.
What’s next for you? Any new projects, new books or new store locations?
I’m booking keynote speaking engagements to share my “underdog success” story of building a successful business despite all the challenges I’ve faced. I hope to impact and inspire audiences to believe in their potential and share my real-life tips and advice on how they can achieve their dreams just the way I did! I also cannot wait to write another book down the road.
How do you like being an entrepreneur, can you give us the good and the bad:
I was made for the entrepreneur lifestyle. I love everything about it- even the challenges. In fact, I find that anyone who is a true entrepreneur actually thrives on the challenging times the most. The good part is that you can truly create the life of your dreams and the only limitations are the ones you place upon yourself. I love the flexibility and freedom to be able to craft the life I’ve always wanted.
The bad is that it can be extremely challenging and overwhelming if you do not focus on making your well-being the number one priority. I learned that lesson the hard way in the beginning and it was exhausting. After having numerous meltdowns and wanting to quit my business several times (all of which are detailed in my book), I realized that it was up to me to create the balance in my life that works for me and to prioritize my health & happiness above all else.
What would you tell younger women looking to become entrepreneurs, that you might not have followed yourself?
I would tell them to expect entrepreneurship to be a never-ending challenge and enjoy the process. When you have the proper expectations it really puts things into perspective. I think too many people that want to become entrepreneurs have a false sense of reality when it comes to what it is really like. They think they can work whenever they want, have endless amounts of freedom, make tons of money and do whatever they want.
Obviously, that is the long-term goal but if you think that happens right away, it doesn’t. Starting out as an entrepreneur requires much more work & effort than the typical 9-5 job so you better be prepared to hustle & do whatever it takes to get it off the ground. I always tell people to make sure whatever industry you get into that you are so obsessed and passionate about it. Otherwise, if you’re logging hours, you’ll be miserable. You need to pursue an industry that when you’re working, you lose all track of time and the days go by quickly. It’ll be much more enjoyable!
What is the best word to describe you and why?
Bold. From my colourful hair to my lime green living room, to my over-the-top and eccentric bakery products it just sums me up perfectly. I am truly confident in who I am and not afraid to be my most authentic self. It’s something I’m passionate about helping to inspire other women to step into their authenticity & live their lives aligned with who they truly are.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching The Bachelor. Enough said.
Number one thing on your bucket list right now?
To speak on stages all over the world sharing my message, mission & wisdom to help impact and inspire others to create the life of their dreams. Also, I cannot wait to start travelling again!
What is your favourite thing on your menu?
Our cakes and milkshakes are the most popular! We have so much fun creating magical & over the top desserts and seeing the expression on our customers’ faces is what truly fulfills us.
Tell us about the process of writing your book:
It was actually an unexpectedly emotional process. I was surprised at how tough it was to put into words some of my most vulnerable stories, thoughts & feelings. I found myself submerged in puddles of tears as I struggled to find the words to describe certain stories. Aside from the unexpected emotions that came up, I really enjoyed the process. It felt very natural for me to write for days on end and I loved the creative process of writing. I cannot wait to get started on writing my next book. Writing is something I’m totally in love with.
What is one thing we didn’t ask but you want people to know about you?
Although I am an introvert by nature, I love connecting with like-minded people who share my values of integrity, authenticity & kindness. I believe in community over competition. The only competition you need to be worried about is being better than the person you were yesterday. I love to surround myself with kind-hearted people. People who genuinely want the best for each other and cheer each other on.
Where can people find you online? What is your handle?
Personal Brand Website: www.RebeccaHamiltonCo.com
Business Website: Chick Cake Boss www.ChickBossCake.com
Personal Instagram: @RebeccaAtChickBossCake
Business Instagram: @ChickBossCake
Personal Facebook: Rebecca Hamilton Co.
Business Facebook: Chick Boss Cake
E-mail: Rebecca@ChickBossCake.Com
