Each week, Macaroni Kid Lower Bucks features a different "Mompreneur" -- a local mom who also runs a small business in Lower Bucks. The challenges for small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic have been unprecedented, and even more so for many moms who simultaneously juggle virtual schooling and the many social and emotional challenges that children face during this confusing time. For more information on how you or someone you know could be featured in an upcoming Mompreneur article, click here.
Meet Colie Pascone!
Hi, I’m Colie! Let me tell you a little bit about my family and me. My husband, DJ, and I met in January 2010 on a blind date! We moved to Newtown in 2012 and got married in 2013. Three and a half years ago, we were blessed with our son, Roman. And our mini Yorkie, Mia, completes our family! She’s actually been around for this entire journey as I got her only a few months before meeting DJ.
I graduated from Arcadia University with my Master’s in Education and taught Elementary Special Education for 10+ years. When Roman was born, I decided that home is where I wanted to be. I have to say that being a Stay-At-Home Mom is the best decision I have ever made! Besides being able to spend so much time with Roman, it allowed me to explore my interests and hobbies that I previously didn’t have the time to invest in. I started baking for friends and family and quickly realized that I loved it, but at the same time, I felt like something was missing. I didn’t just want to bake cookies or make cake pops for people close to me. I realized that I could put smiles on a lot of faces with my newfound passion, especially given all that we endured in 2020. So, in September, I decided to go for it and open Thankfully Ever After! When I think about it, being an entrepreneur has always been in my blood. It just took me a while to realize it, but I am so happy that I found this passion. My grandparents opened the Paso Doble Ballroom in Levittown, PA and operated it for decades. Growing up, watching them run the ballroom, and helping with special events showed me the joys and challenges of being a business owner.
Thankfully Ever After Is a Mindset
Thankfully Ever After is more than a business name. To me, it is a mindset. Every day it reminds me how very thankful I am for this life…my happily ever after. I couldn’t think of a better name to fit my life and my passion. Thankfully Ever After is not only a sweets shoppe; it is a specialty boutique. My products include: custom cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, cakes, chocolate covered pretzels, hot chocolate bombs, all natural dog treats, essential oil bath products and organic Elderberry Syrup. Starting with Halloween, I have been offering Holiday cookie decorating kits and they have been a hit! I take care of the baking and supply you with the icing and decorations and you get to do the fun part – decorating and eating the cookies! I continue to look for ways to diversify my offerings. I’m always open to customer requests.
Currently, I fulfill personal and corporate orders. In 2021, I am looking to expand into the wholesale market. Everything is made in my home. I offer pick-up (contactless available), local delivery and nationwide shipping.
Top-Notch Customer Service
What I can promise every customer is that I am emotionally invested in every order! I pour my heart into everything I make! I like to think my cookies are sweeter, my cakes are fluffier, and my bath products are more relaxing because I make everything with love like your grandmother and mom do. To me, an order is not just another job. I am not going to give a customer a product that I am not 100% satisfied with. I guarantee that you will always get my best. While it’s not always possible, I strive to put a smile on every customer (virtually, under a mask, or in-person). This has allowed me to quickly grow my skill set as I have taken on projects outside my comfort zone. At the same time, I am completely honest with customers from our first interaction. I’m not going to take on a job if I don’t believe that I can create a superior product. That has taken some time to adjust to as I am a people pleaser. I am continually looking to learn new techniques and invest in new equipment to make Thankfully Ever After better and better. I can guarantee that my customer service will be top notch because you will only be working with me or DJ (when he is being the delivery driver) or Roman (when he is greeting customers at the front door).
The Importance of a Structured Schedule
Being a mom and entrepreneur is so rewarding, but it’s definitely not always easy! I must say that every time I finish an order, the pride I feel is unlike any feeling I had with previous jobs. Besides being Roman’s Mama and owning Thankfully Ever After, I teach preschool at home to Roman and his Godbrother (my non-blood related nephew) 3 days a week in the morning. Teaching Roman and my nephew has been so much fun! Watching them learn and grow puts a huge smile on my face and keeps me connected to my first career. Then, the rest of the day until dinner, I dedicate to Thankfully Ever After. This leads me to my first piece of advice for moms who want to own a business: have a structured schedule. Knowing how much time I have to work on orders every week and how many orders I need to fulfill gives me direction. Stopping at dinner gives me a definite stopping point every day and the ability to have family time with Roman and DJ. If I didn’t stop working at dinner, I’m the type of person who would keep working until bedtime, so this discipline has served me well.
I would be lying if I said some afternoons I wasn’t conflicted between Roman and Thankfully Ever After. There are some days when he just really wants his “Mama Time.” Before opening my own business, that was so easy to give him. If he wanted to read, or do a craft, or play dinosaurs, we could. A 3-year-old doesn’t understand that now Mama has deadlines to meet. Add a pandemic and missed play dates, music classes, vacations and in-person school to the equation and it can be really hard to say, “No” when the guilt starts building up. Over time, I’ve learned how to balance my life as a mom and entrepreneur better. My second piece of advice would be to remember that your kids love you no matter what, but when you feel like having quality time, it’s OK to push off work for a bit. It will be there when you get back. That’s the beauty of being your own boss!
Trust me! I LOVE being a Mom and I LOVE Thankfully Ever After! Believe in yourself! Don’t look back and take the plunge! If I can do it, you can!
Want to Learn More about Thankfully Ever After?
Contact Colie Pascone
Phone: 267.984.1032
Email: Thankfullyeverafter@gmail.com
Website (coming soon): www.ThankfullyEverAfter.com
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