Kaitlyn Middleton is a Ruston High School junior who takes all honors classes and has been on the principal’s list every nine weeks of high school. She has been selected to attend the district literary rally every year and has also qualified and attended the state literary rally as well. She has played on the varsity golf team since her freshman year. Like most students taking honors classes, Middleton spends many hours studying and learning at the highest level. What sets her apart, however, is that on top of her already vigorous schedule, Middleton has started her own business – Simply Sweet.
Middleton said had always baked with her grandmother and enjoyed it. As she got older, she realized that she was pretty good at it.
“I realized that I could sell my products, so I decided to make a business,” Middleton said.
She decided that she would bake for others, naming her business Simply Sweet as everyone simply likes the taste of sweet treats.
Since starting Simply Sweet, Middleton said she has found that she loves baking. Making her business revolve around her favorite hobby makes it even better.
Even though I love baking, I really love seeing people’s faces when they get their sweets and I love to make customers happy,” she said.
As a baker, Middleton has made several smiles over her short career so far. She not only creates some of her own ideas and desserts, but she also takes special orders.
“I love that I get to take people’s ideas and turn then into real life sweet creations,” she added with passion.
Recently, Middleton was invited to share her business and ideas at the Louisiana FBLA Northeast Regional Conference held at Louisiana Tech. Her booth featured various handouts and concepts for others to view and place orders. Assisted her with her booth and presentation was her friend Callie Stegall. The duo brought many baked goods for sale and sample, and they sold out long before the event ended.
“The FBLA conference was good exposure for my business, and I gained followers and made a few sales,” said Middleton. “It also allowed me to interact with fellow business owners and see how they run their businesses.”
Stegall said also enjoyed being a part of the event.
“Working at the FBLA regional conference was a rewarding experience that I would recommend for anyone to do,” Stegall said.
After high school, Middleton is interested in being a JAG officer in the military. She would pursue this by attending a military academy or going to law school and then into the military.
“That path does not really involve baking, but if my business continues to grow and gets big enough, I will consider changing paths,” she said.
Whichever path Middleton decides on, baking will always remain a big part of her life, and for that, Middleton said is grateful for the support she has had, and the “sweet” lessons received from her grandmother.
