Life & Work with Donna Rabe of South Lyon, Michigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Rabe

Hi Donna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Back in 2012, I kicked off my online business venture, right from the comfort of my own home basement. My passion for baking led me to transform my entire basement into a bustling shop, where I would dedicate my time to creating delightful cakes and cookies. However, the long drives to purchase supplies started to wear on me, especially since I was juggling a full-time job alongside my burgeoning business. Despite the slow start, things gradually gained momentum, and I found myself delving into the realms of 3D printing and custom silk screen stencils for cookies. With the help of a top-notch 3D printer (specially researched by my son), I began crafting custom cookie cutters, while also venturing into the world of custom silk screen stencils. Before I knew it, my shop on Etsy was thriving, and local customers were seeking me out for my unique creations. Nowadays, I find myself only taking on a couple of cookie jobs each week, as the demand for my custom products keeps me delightfully busy. Having retired, I now relish the joy of making life easier for my customers by crafting custom cutters and silk screen stencils, often with a turnaround time of 24 hours or less. Amidst all this, I also cherish spending precious moments with my 11 grandchildren, with another little one on the way. Life is truly a sweet journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spread joy through my creations while soaking up every moment with my growing family.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey so far has been incredibly exciting!
Back when I was working full time, things were quite intense. I’d rush home by 4pm and dive into fulfilling 30-60 orders for the next day, including crafting all my custom designs. There were some challenges along the way, especially when it came to mastering the 3D printers. It didn’t take long to figure them out, but when they acted up, I had to roll up my sleeves and learn how to troubleshoot and fix them. Now, I’ve become quite the pro at it, and the printing process runs smoothly.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As stated earlier, my specialties are creating 3D printed cookie cutters and custom silk screen stencils for cookies. I am known for the quality of my work, right down to every detail, as well as being very timely on getting things shipped. I have become quite creative on many projects that I was not sure would come to fruition. I have customers all over the US that depend on me to help their own businesses succeed. That is truly and an honor for me! I am probably most proud of how creative I have become, when in the past, I was sure I did not have a creative bone in my body. Who knew!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I made the move from the hustle and bustle of the city to a peaceful countryside. Now, I call 3.5 acres my home, where I can truly embrace tranquility when I’m not caught up with work. Simply relaxing on my back porch and taking in the sights of the land, birds, deer, and critters is pure bliss. My husband also has a workshop on our property, which means we get to spend quality time together every single day. Living in a small town suits me perfectly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sweetstuffshopppe.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetstuffshoppe123
• Other: [email protected]