Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle “Gabby” Collier.
Hi Gabrielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Sugar Fix Pralines is a vision that came to life for me, Gabrielle “Gabby” Collier in April 2015. I first got the idea in 2005 during “story-time” at the local library with my oldest of two sons, EJ.
I had recently moved from New Orleans, Louisiana to Gulfport, Mississippi after marrying my husband Eddie and had a craving for a bona fide creole-style praline, but I couldn’t find anything like Grandma Estelle’s. I tried making pralines, off and on, for nine (9) years before I got my grandma’s recipe just right. It’s amazing how we grow up around recipes, but never fully pay attention to learning how to make them ourselves. I couldn’t make pralines, but I knew it was my “calling”.
After my second son, Gabe, started kindergarten, I began to think about what was next for me. Up until this time, I had been a stay-at-home mom/wife for twelve years. I thought, should I have another child? Or, continue being PTA president? Team mom? Another run for parent of the year, or what? What was the next chapter in my life? Then, I thought, neither!
There had to be more to my life than just PTA president and dug-out mom. Once I believed I perfected my grandmother’s praline recipe, I gave samples to neighbors, teachers, teachers’ spouses, basketball, baseball, and football parents, PTA board members, and moms in the car riders line. We had a great system going for a while. They gave feedback and I would provide more free samples. I knew I hit the jackpot when they stopped asking for samples and started placing orders.
Today, I am enjoying every aspect of owning my own business. There are challenges at times, but I wouldn’t trade a day of my life making pralines over a nine-to-five. My husband and two sons support me by helping to package, label, and sell our product (for a small fee and samples of course!) I am excited about my recent move to a commercial kitchen, which allows me to make larger quantities because I’m almost always sold out. I’m learning that the balance of faith, family, and self are the keys to my success.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m a mom and wife first. So, balancing my own business and being a full-time mom/wife has been the most challenging. Missing games or, having to ask my friends to pick up my sons from school or practice because I was overwhelmed with orders, broke my heart when they were younger.
Currently, my kids are older and drive, which helps lessen my load. However, not being able to attend every function still upsets me. The timeframe you have to raise kids goes by so fast. I don’t want to miss the big or small moments.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sugar Fix Pralines?
Sugar Fix Pralines has taken praline-making to a new level! In addition to the traditional praline, we offer pralines in a variety of flavors such as rum, whisky, chocolate, peanut butter, coconut, sugar-free, and more!
All of our pralines are handmade and cooked with real butter, sugar, milk, pecans, and most of all, LOVE. Our pralines are creamy, and soft, and melt in your mouth with each bite. In addition to pralines, we offer praline-covered pretzels, pecans, and peanuts. We also specialize in miniature praline favors for every occasion, including weddings, baby showers, graduations, and more!
Customers almost always ask how we pronounce praline. Our answer…prah-leen. You only pray and lean in church! Or, how do we pronounce pecan? It’s pah-corn! A pea can is in your pantry!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that with God, I can do anything. Being a business owner has thrown all sorts of challenges at me.
There were times when I thought some problems were too big and it just wasn’t meant to be. After crying and picking myself up off the floor, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and bet on myself. Oh, and the kids will be fine!
Pricing:
- Pralines $20-$40
- Praline Covered Pecans $10
- Praline Covered Pretzels $10
- Praline Event Favors start at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sugarfixpralines.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarfixpralines?igsh=MXR1dzRtbzV0Zzhzbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarfixpralines?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Sugarfixpralinesllc?si=36F4cvaq5cKH6KcK
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarfixpralines?_t=8iqEwKDwjQV&_r=1
Image Credits
Betsy Mabee and Jayden Magee Media
