Women in Business featuring Sally Gladwish founder of Sugar & Smiles
Women in Business featuring…
Founder: Sally Gladwish
Business: Sugar and Smiles
Meet Sally Gladwish
My name is Sally Gladwish, I’m 30 years old, and I’m the proud owner of my dessert business, Sugar & Smiles. I’ve been happily married to my husband for five years, after spending thirteen wonderful years together, and I’m a proud dog mama to my beautiful German Shepherd, Luna.
I love listening to music, going on adventures with my little family, and creating new ideas for my business—especially baking! I never realized how calming and rewarding baking could be until I started experimenting in the kitchen. The feeling of successfully creating a delicious treat on the first attempt is unmatched, and my family certainly enjoys testing everything afterward!
Baking eventually turned into something more serious for me, and I took the next step by enrolling in food courses and earning the necessary qualifications. Before I knew it, I had my food license and certifications to ensure my clients received the best possible quality in every treat.
In life, family is what I value the most. As I grow older, I realize just how important they are to me, and I try to make as many memories with them as I can. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I live by the motto of staying humble and kind. It’s so important to believe in yourself, to know that you matter, and that you are enough. Along my journey, I’ve gone through a lot of self-discovery, learning to recognize my own path when it presented itself. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I approach life one step at a time and try not to stress over the unknown. Sometimes you may not understand everything right away, but sooner or later, life leads you down the right path.
My biggest inspiration comes from my family—my husband and younger sister, who have always worked hard to achieve their dreams. They’ve taught me to chase my own goals and keep going. My parents have also been there every step of the way, supporting me unconditionally. I’m beyond grateful for them.
Defining who I am is still a work in progress, but I can confidently say that I’m dedicated, hardworking, and eager to keep learning. I strive every day to be the best version of myself.
Sugar and Smiles
Sugar & Smiles began in February 2019, on my mum’s birthday, to be exact. I wanted to give her something special but didn’t know what. I came across an image of a chocolate bouquet online, and the idea immediately clicked. I decided to experiment by making her a Cadbury chocolate bouquet, and her reaction was everything I had hoped for. That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about how fun and creative this concept was, and the next step became clear—starting something small for myself.
For those unfamiliar, a chocolate bouquet is an arrangement of chocolates made to look like a traditional floral bouquet. It’s the perfect gift for any occasion, offering a creative and novel twist on a classic concept.
I created a Facebook page to test the local market’s response to the idea, and within two weeks, an online journalist reached out to interview me about my products. From the moment the article was published, my business took off, and Sugar & Smiles was born.
The early days were challenging, as I had to juggle multiple roles on my own. Social media marketing played a key part in my growth, allowing me to showcase my creations on Facebook and Instagram. While it was hard work to keep my audience engaged daily, I quickly learned what my clients wanted. Running the business means doing everything myself—from product creation to customer care, delivery bookings, and more. It can get stressful, but I love the madness, and I appreciate every single person who supports my business.
As Sugar & Smiles evolved, I expanded my product range to include unique dessert items not widely available in Malta, such as NYC cookies, cookie pies, doughnut bouquets, floral cupcake bouquets, customized sugar cookies, cakesicles, dessert platters, and edible chocolate heart boxes. The creative possibilities are endless, and I’m constantly working on new ideas to offer my clients something fresh.
What sets Sugar & Smiles apart is the strong multi-channel presence I maintain across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Our goal is to create products that are both beautiful and delicious. After all, the name Sugar & Smiles says it all—we want our clients to have a delightful experience from the moment they place their order until it’s delivered to their door.
Each year, I challenge myself to make my business more successful than the last. So far, I’ve been able to reach a larger audience on social media, and the positive reviews I receive daily motivate me to keep going.
Looking ahead, my goal for Sugar & Smiles is to continue exploring my creativity and expanding the business. I’m also open to collaborating with like-minded professionals within the dessert industry if the opportunity arises. The journey has been amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Contact Sugar and Smiles
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