Today we’d like to introduce you to Renate Garrett.
Renate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but for years I balanced that dream while working at Lowe’s for 23 years and raising six children with my husband Jaheel. In 2014, I started Freakin’ Sweet Jars to help my son Tre through college. Also, I wanted to create something that brought people joy. Desserts have a way of bringing people together, and I loved the idea of putting a fun twist on classic favorites by serving them in jars.
What started as a small business grew into mall kiosks and eventually a storefront inside Annapolis Mall in Maryland. Like many small businesses, COVID forced us to close, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure if we’d ever come back. But giving up was never really an option. I believed in what we had built, and I believed our best days were still ahead.
Today, Freakin’ Sweet Jars is more than a dessert shop. We cater weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and community celebrations. We’re always looking for new ways to grow. One of the things I’m most proud of is that my family has been part of this journey. My daughter, Tee, manages the store, and all of my adult children have worked in the business over the years. Many of our customers have watched them grow up right alongside the business. My mom has been our main investor, inspiration, cheerleader and positive influence in our journey. My husband has kept the business alive in more ways than 1. He’s the breadwinner. I appreciate everything that everyone has done for Freakin Sweet Jars. This includes family, friends and our loyal customers and community. Shout out to the staff at Annapolis Mall. Great people.
Building Freakin’ Sweet Jars has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also been the most rewarding. Every challenge has taught me something, and every customer who leaves with a smile reminds me why I started in the first place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. If I’m being honest, I don’t know many small business owners who would say the road has been smooth.
COVID was one of our biggest setbacks. We had to close, and rebuilding afterward felt like starting all over again. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also faced rising food costs, higher operating expenses, staffing challenges and the pressure of keeping a small business running while trying to stay profitable.
On top of the business challenges, I’ve dealt with some personal health issues over the years. There were times when I had to learn how to lead while not feeling my best, and that wasn’t easy. But I’ve learned that consistency matters more than perfection. You keep showing up, keep learning and keep adjusting.
One thing that has kept me going is the support of my family, my team and our customers. There have been so many people who have believed in Freakin’ Sweet Jars from the beginning and on the tough days, that support has reminded me why I started. Every obstacle has made me stronger and every challenge has helped shape the business we have today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Freakin’ Sweet Jars is a family-owned dessert company that’s all about creating memorable experiences through desserts. While we’re known for our signature layered desserts in jars, we’ve grown into so much more. We offer catering for corporate events, weddings, birthdays, baby showers, employee appreciation events and other special occasions. We also make specialty cookies, cake pops, dessert pans and custom dessert tables.
What sets us apart is the quality and the experience. We don’t believe in cutting corners. Everything is made with the goal of making people say, “Wow, this is really good.” We love putting creative twists on classic desserts while making sure they still taste homemade.
One thing I’m especially proud of is the relationships we’ve built with our customers. We have people who have supported us since our first events over a decade ago and now they’re bringing us in to celebrate birthdays, weddings, graduations, and company milestones. That kind of loyalty means everything to me.
I’m also proud that Freakin’ Sweet Jars has stayed true to who we are. Even as we’ve grown, we’ve remained family-centered, community-focused and committed to providing great customer service. At the end of the day, we’re not just selling dessert, we’re helping people celebrate life’s sweetest moments, one jar at a time.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are so many ways to support Freakin’ Sweet Jars! Of course, we’d love for you to stop by our shop, but we’re also passionate about catering. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, wedding, birthday, baby shower, graduation, employee appreciation event, or family gathering, we’d love to help make it a little sweeter.
We’re always open to collaborating with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, event planners and organizations looking for unique dessert experiences. I love building relationships in the community and finding creative ways to work together.
One of the biggest ways people can support a small business is by sharing us with others. A recommendation to a friend, a Google review, a social media post, or inviting us to cater your next event makes a huge difference.
You can find us at Annapolis Mall, visit us online at www.freakinsweetjars.com, or follow us on social media to see what we’re creating next. Whether you’re ordering dessert for yourself or for hundreds of guests, we’d be honored to be part of your celebration.
Pricing:
- • Signature Dessert Jars starting at $9.99
- • Specialty Cookies starting at $4.50 each
- • Gourmet Cake Pops starting at $4.75 each
- Dessert Catering Packages starting at $180, with custom packages available for larger events and corporate catering
- Custom dessert tables and specialty event pricing available upon request
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.freakinsweetjars.com
- Instagram: Freakinsweetjars
- Facebook: Freakinsweetjars
- Other: Freakinsweetjars – Tiktok
