Baking Up a Business Education

During the COVID 19 lockdowns of 2020, many of us were looking to learn new things or take on new hobbies. Sarah Sherman, a 16-year-old high school sophomore at the time, now a junior Mansfield business administration major and softball player, was no different. 

Sherman, who had been making dinner for her family since middle school, loved the creativity of cooking—substituting ingredients to create experimental dishes. Then, she decided to take it a step further and create her own business. 

"During COVID, I baked all the time. I had my driver’s permit, so I practiced driving by delivering cupcakes," says Sherman, of Macungie. "Specializing in cupcakes has allowed me to stay in my own zone. I do have the popular flavors, but I also try to add something new."

 After sharing a cupcake with her sister’s friend who loved it so much, he asked her to make him some for Mother’s Day—her first order. Sherman and her mother wrapped a dozen cupcakes in a shoebox and delivered them to him herself.

"I learned how to not spread myself too thin. I would do some midnight baking and get my name out where I could. I made gift and raffle baskets and I networked with the chambers."

That first order lit a spark for Sherman, who then created social media accounts and the brand Sarah Jane’s Cupcakes. Over the summer of 2020, Sherman grew the company and was invited to have pop-ups to sell her treats at local Lehigh Valley shops and events. 

While baking is more of a science, Sherman kept creativity in the recipe by offering a multitude of flavors. And as her company grew, the world drifted back into normalcy and Sherman began to play summer softball again. 

"The immediate challenge was over the summer with softball tournaments every weekend," Sherman says. Then on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the week, I was baking and had pick-ups and deliveries. It was a huge learning experience. My mom owns a business and I learned a lot from her like how to say no, time management, and pricing."

 Right from the start Sherman knew she would have to make sacrifices—trying to make a name for her business, while also making sure her main focus was on school.

"I learned how to not spread myself too thin. I would do some midnight baking and get my name out where I could," Sherman says. "I made gift and raffle baskets and I networked with the chambers."

 Sherman started at CU – Mansfield in 2023, which brought new challenges of navigating college life and being a member of the Mountaineer softball team. Sherman made the decision to focus more on college and scale her business back a bit. 

"During my freshman and sophomore years, the business took a backseat," Sherman explains, doing most of her baking over the winter and summer months. "I could continue my business on the side and work towards a full-time job. I hope to work in digital marketing or sales and do an internship in the field to learn exactly what I want to do," she says. "It’s a dream to have a storefront but it’s years down the line and I honestly think it’s bittersweet because regardless of what happens, I really did enjoy everything I learned and was able to do it from high school to now. It’s a cool story and great to think back on."