We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nancy Gulizia. Check out our conversation below.
Nancy, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently one of my customers, who is a food photographer made me laugh. She said I was like the Kevin Bacon of the food world, because all the food bloggers know me! Haha!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been an amateur confectioner and baker most of my life. My grandfather was a baker in New York and my mom was a great cook. I have been specializing in caramels since 2009 and decided to start my own business a few years later. Sugar Mamma Caramels + Cookies is my CFO (certified food operation). I have a permitted kitchen in my home, which means I can cook all day every day! The permit is a big expense, but my customers know I always have a perfect rating just like a restaurant that gets an A rating!
I started my business all on my own to build something for myself and show my daughters that they can do anything they dream of too!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was going through Stage IV blood cancer. I was extremely sick. I lost my career as a Certified Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Instructor because I was too sick to do anything. I went through 2.5 years of chemotherapy. By the grace of God and my fantastic doctor ( he got me into a new clinical trial), I was healed and SURVIVED!!
Ever since then, I see the world with new eyes. I try to live life to the fullest. I deeply treasure my family and friends, and I never miss a chance to tell them I love them.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering actually taught me how to succeed . Through all the years of chemotherapy, utter exhaustion, losing my hair, losing my former career, losing my fertility, and nearly losing my life… I made it! I survived! That is the kind of personal success that is a like a rainbow of hope over everything I do now. Even though I have built a successful business of Sugar Mamma Caramels, that is nothing compared to what suffering taught me!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that my family matters the most to me.
First and foremost, I am a Mamma with a capital M! Since childhood I wanted to be a Mamma just like mine was for me and my siblings. She taught me all the good parts of me and to value family and faith above all else. I may be a tiny person, but watch out if you hurt my children, I am of Sicilian descent you know, haha!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I came to love. Bottom line, when it comes to face the end, all that truly matters is love.
One of my favorite quotes regarding leaving a legacy is:
“What will survive of us is love” by Philip Larkin
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.sugarmammacaramels.com
- Instagram: @sugar_mamma62
- Linkedin: Nancy Gulizia
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/SugarMammaDesserts
- Yelp: Sugar Mamma Caramels
- Other: TikTok
Namcygulizia8
