Some people find their calling, I was born into mine.

Growing up, the kitchen was the heart of the home. I watched my mother and grandmothers pour love and joy into everything they made, and as soon as I could reach the countertop, I was right there beside them. That early spark never faded.

The name Sweets Are My Forte is more than a catchy phrase, it's personal. Forte is my maiden name, and sweets truly have been my forte since childhood. The business name was always meant to be.

After years of making cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for family and friends, I decided to formalize what I already knew I was good at. I attended culinary school in 2013 to sharpen my skills, and Sweets Are My Forte launched that same year. A former elementary school turned higher-ed technologist, I have always carried two great passions side by side — teaching and baking — and I have built my life around both.

Over the years, Sweets Are My Forte grew to offer a wide range of treats, from wedding cakes to holiday candies, birthday cupcakes to pies. But great businesses evolve. I've partnered with my husband to streamline and grow with intention, focusing exclusively on custom decorated cookies and hands-on decorating classes. This focus allows every order to receive the care and artistry it deserves, and every student in my classes to leave with smiles, real skills, and a box full of cookies they decorated themselves.

In December 2024, I was honored to compete on Food Network's Christmas Cookie Challenge and won the first challenge! Being asked to appear on the show was a milestone I didn't take lightly, and walking away with that first win felt like confirmation of everything I had poured into my craft. It solidified what I had long felt in my heart: that decorated cookies are where my passion and my talent meet.

One day, I hope to step out of the ed tech world entirely and into the sweet spot where teaching and baking become one. Until then, every cookie I make and every class I teach is a step closer to that dream — and a reminder that when you pour love into what you do, people can taste it.