Jennifer DeWitt
Sweet Six Candy Company, founded 2012
"Now is as good a time as any to create something sweet to share with others."
WHAT DO YOU MAKE? Brown sugar candy in six flavors (including espresso and crispy bacon).
WHEN DID YOU START? "Honestly, I made the first piece of Sweet Six this summer. My mother has always made the candy and she never used a recipe, so I had no idea how she did it. This past August we worked together to develop a proper formula."
TRAINED OR SELF-TAUGHT? "Self-taught, although I've always been a bit of a foodie. Years ago, I was head baker at a small bagel shop. That experience … helped me realize that I love making desserts and treats."
EMPLOYEES, HELPERS OR ALL BY YOURSELF? "I am sole proprietor at Sweet Six right now. Mom has helped with flavor production in terms of feedback and taste testing, but I handle all the candy making, packaging and logistics."
DAY JOB: Founder and principal strategist of Rebranded Media (small business web marketing and social media branding); board member of AIGA Orlando.
FUTURE GOALS: "My most immediate goal is to move into a shared commercial kitchen space. I'd love to start offering candy on a larger scale and branch out into customized favors for weddings and events."
CURRENT OBSESSIONS: Boba tea, BurgerFi burgers and fries, Japanese Royal Milk Tea ("it's one of my favorite flavors; I've been trying to figure out how to use it in the candy"), Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook ("it's like sitting down with a good friend to chat about all things sweet and decadent"); music playing in the kitchen: Secret Sisters, Justin Townes Earle, R.E.M.
INDISPENSABLE TOOL: "My most indispensable tools are my hands."
LOCAL MAKER SHOUT-OUT: "Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, Makr, Walnut Animal Society, Wondermade … it's tough to name a favorite, but if I really had to, I'd say Lure Design. The team there has been like a second family to me, providing such great inspiration and support."
WHERE TO BUY: Find Sweet Six in the Yum Yum Cupcake Truck Holiday Shoppe this winter and online at sweetsixcandy.com.
