As promised, a little crush gossip… and the first time its all about me!!!
So, not sure what you all know about me so I will fill you in. I am Shannon, owner of Crushcakes and Cafe. I often get the question, “how did you think of crushcakes?” or “what inspired you to open crushcakes?” and here is my answer…
Almost 2 years ago, I was a burned out Human Resources Manager going to law school, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself. Painful as it was, I had written off the restaurant business forever after my Bitterman’s days because it was so stressful while raising kids. Then in May of 2007 I attended a yoga retreat in Sonoma with a girl friend of mine. The infamous yoga retreat that changed my life. It was 5 days of the most amazing people, food, environment, yoga, hiking, but most of all, alone time. After having 2 sets of twins, alone time did not come round very often, especially not the kind of alone time where all you do is think.
On the second day in Sonoma, I knew I needed to quit law school, the restaurant business was calling me back. I felt like the best years in my life were already over with the coming and going of Bittermans, and at age 37, I was not going to accept that! There had to be more!
Crushcakes was developed in my head while I was supposed to be meditating. Cupcake flavors were stirring in my brain while I was doing downward dog. The color, the concept and ideal location all came to mind while in warrior pose. I was ready and could not wait to get back to SB to make it happen!
But then the next day came an even stronger revalation which took over everything else, my unhappy marriage was killing me. As I sat in a hot, sweaty room filled with women in tight yoga attire, I did not make myself look away the way I normally did. I allowed myself to look at the beautiful woman next to me and try to better understand what I was feeling and why. A feeling I had experienced often in my life but rarely acknowledged. Now I needed to….by the time I was left Sonoma for home a couple days later, there was no doubt in my mind. So many things in my life now made sense to me. I was happy, relieved, excited, nervous, but most of all scared to come home to a husband and four kids with this knowledge and having to deal with it.
Now, almost 2 years later, I am happier then I have ever been in my life. The emptiness is gone. I have opened my dream business with Crushcakes and the Cafe. I have an amazing and supportive family that loves me and cares deeply for me and respect the decisions I have made in my life. Now I have achieved success.
peace.love.food
SL