The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth6 Huhti 2021

Episode 32: Life's Celebrations with Amy O'Connell

Our incredible line-up of guest interviews continues today with my friend Amy O'Connell of Sprinkled Confections and O'Connell Organic Acres in rural Eastern Iowa. I'm not lying when I say that Amy is one of the most talented people I know. Whether making rice krispie treats look gorgeous or making a five-tier wedding cake that looks too good to eat, Amy brings her artistry into your home to celebrate your life's biggest milestones. When I think of the purpose of this podcast and highlighting small town people who are doing big things in multiple areas of life, Amy is it. She's grown Sprinkled out of her home's kitchen over the past 8 years, grown an organic meat business with her husband and his family, hosted workshops to teach others the art of cake decorating, and raised three boys to boot. In today's interview we have a candid discussion about postpartum depression and finding purpose as a stay-at-home mom and then get into discussing all things cakes. From wedding cake trends to how COVID brought challenges and opportunities for her businesses, Amy and I cover it all in today's episode. Grab a notebook, and enjoy this one, my friends! Key Takeaways

Pay attention to your personal needs. If you feel like you need to make a change or seek help, it's ok and necessary. We all have different needs in seasons of our life,
Save the good things: voicemails, thank you cards, positive reviews, and refer to them on the hard days to orient yourself in the good you've done.
Amy is a superwoman. She puts her wedding cakes together the day-of to ensure highest-quality products for you and your guests.
She wasn't a professionally-trained baker, but she has taken artistry classes and leaned into continued education in a variety of mediums to help her hone her craft. She also trusts her own creativity to take risks and try new things for things like styled photography shoots
She was inspired to begin hosting workshops by a friend writing a thesis on bringing small towns together. From that first experience, Amy has brought in her experience as a horse-riding instructor and teacher training to show people how to up-level their baking designs.
Cakes are part of family traditions, and so much of our small-town connections are made around the table. Amy says seeing people celebrating these milestones gives her purposes and inspires her to bring new offers.
Listen to your clientele. When the pandemic hit, and her organic farm could no longer connect with customers at market, Amy and her family started door-to-door deliveries. When they started, they only offered organic beef, but as clients asked for pork and chicken, the O'Connells found ways to bring those options to the table (literally).
And more! Listen to the whole episode for even more conversational gems!

Sprinkle a little joy in your own life! If you want to get on Amy's schedule or see all that she offers, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. Or head over to her family's farm accounts on Instagram and Facebook, or visit their website. Follow for More Follow Small-Minded on Instagram and Facebook Follow Molly Knuth Media on Instagram and Facebook For more about our Instagram workshops this month at MKM visit mollyknuthmedia.com/shop.

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