Many start-ups look for a professional mailing address versus having mail and packages going to their home address. Meet one of The Village Hive Markham’s mail plan members, Robyn Verley.
Tell us about your profession. What type of clients do you serve?
I am the owner of R.J.’s Sweets ‘n Stories. I sell sweet treats that come with a motivational quote attached to it. Each quote links back to a blog on my website where I share some of the most helpful insights and advice that I discovered during my self-healing journey. I coupled these quotes with my treats, in the hopes that people will feel motivated to pursue their passions. My most popular treats are my vegan treats as these are people’s first introduction to me from the markets and pop-up shops. So, I typically serve vegans or people with dietary restrictions and then do corporate orders.
What inspires the work you do?
What inspires my work is a deep desire to constantly improve myself as a person. I am motivated by the goal of always doing my best in every task I undertake, and this drive extends to my passion for baking. I am committed to creating treats that not only taste amazing but are also unique and can’t be found anywhere else.
Moreover, I am particularly driven to make my products available to groups that may have a harder time finding delicious treats. This goal, in turn, helps me to grow and improve as a person. Ultimately, I believe that the work I do has the potential to bring joy to others and make a positive impact in the world, which is the greatest inspiration of all.
How did you get into this profession?
I became interested in this profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, I had been struggling with severe depression and anxiety, which prompted me to embark on a journey of self-improvement. Through therapy, reading self-help books, and changing my routine, I learned to trust myself and pursue my passions.
One of the most significant lessons I learned was to follow my childhood dreams, more specifically what I wanted to be between the ages of 7 and 11. I remembered I had a strong desire to be the grandma who could cook and bake where everyone was excited to visit because they loved grandma’s cooking. So, I decided to give baking a try and discovered that it was my true calling. Baking not only helped me relieve my anxiety, but it also challenged me in ways that I never thought possible.
As I continued to bake, I realized that I had a natural talent for it. Encouraged by those around me, I began selling my baked goods on the side. Although nobody expected me to leave my previous profession, I took a chance on myself and decided to pursue baking full-time. Now, I am grateful to have found a profession that brings me joy and fulfillment every day.
What is one of your favourite books or TEDTalk?
I have two favorite books that have had a significant impact on my life: the Conversation with God series by Neale Donald Walsch and Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill. Both books use religious symbolism to explore the inner struggles that many of us face, and they have been instrumental in helping me to ground myself and feel less alone.
These books have been particularly impactful in my journey of self-discovery, helping me to identify my deepest desires and forgive myself for past decisions that may have had a negative impact on my life. Overall, I highly recommend these books to anyone who is looking for inspiration and guidance on their own journey of self-improvement.
What is your superpower?
Self-reflection is my superpower. Without it, I’d get caught up in what other people are doing. It allows me to analyze my feelings and work through them, helping me to feel more in control of my life.
What do you do when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I enjoy baking, watching cooking and baking competitions, or hanging out with my family, friends and fiancé.
Why did you join The Village Hive?
I needed a virtual address because I felt uncomfortable with giving strangers my home address to pick up orders. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that The Hive functions more like a community as opposed to a mailbox. I hope to meet other members in person soon!
How do people get in touch with you if they need your services?
You can visit my website, Instagram, or Facebook page to get in touch with me.
Website: www.sweetstories.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweetstories.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rjssweetsnstories
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sweetstories.ca
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m currently working on a goal to post one video a day on TikTok to work through my anxiety about posting on social media. To tackle my anxiety, I’ve been using a simple approach: I choose something that gives me anxiety and then pick the easiest task to approach it. I continue doing that task until I feel comfortable adding new ones. For now, my goal is to post one video per day because posting consistently on social media activates my anxiety. The goal isn’t the perfect post; the goal is posting.
So if you were interested in seeing how I helped myself out of severe mental health issues, my current journey with social media is a great example. And I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire others who may be struggling with similar issues to take small steps towards overcoming their own anxieties.
