We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Shabarek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
When I moved to North Carolina is 2017, I found it very odd that with the substantial amount of Arabs in the community, not one person decided to open up a legitimate dessert shop. It was always little basic knick knacks here and there in some of the Middle Eastern supermarkets, however no real desserts were made fresh daily and with authenticity. This greatly affected me as I’m a sucker for sweets; it’s my sweetest addiction! I don’t drink coffee, I don’t smoke, so I always resort to some type of sweet for my daily pick me up. Realizing that most of my sweet cravings weren’t going to be met in North Carolina, I decided to resort to one of my favorite hobbies, baking! Stemming from pure excitement, I posted my first baking achievement, a Syrian/Lebanese specialty named Halawet Jeben, on our local FB page that has lots of Middle Easterners. I captioned the photo of my homemade halawet jeben something along the lines of, “I couldn’t find halawet jeben anywhere locally, so I decided to make it at home by myself! With zero intention for selling this product, I was flooded with messages and comments asking me how much the pound was.
For 6 years, baking became me, and Blossombyheidi was introduced to Raleigh. Middle easterners were excited to taste foods like home, and non-middle easterners were eager to try them. Baking became a way for me to share my passion with others, and the reward of seeing people enjoying my sweets is more heartwarming than I could have ever expected.

What should our readers know about your business?
BlossombyHeidi was and will always be a side hustle for me that I take so, so much pride into. I created this business from absolutely nothing- no intent, no idea, no funding, no idea on how this would all scale out to how it is today. I graduated Kean University with an interior design and architecture degree in 2016 while I was pregnant with my second daughter. My eldest was three years old at the time so when I first started my business in 2017, I had two children at home, not of school age. As a result, I couldn’t work in my field. Being a very, very work driven type of gal, I couldn’t just be a stay at home mom.

Baking has and will always be my favorite hobby/passion. I decided to turn baking into a side hustle where I can do what I love, while still be at home with my daughters. It’s been one of my greatest accomplishments in life juggling mom life and business life all under one roof. I get asked all the time how I’m able to manage these two very demanding roles, and my response is pretty simple. When you love what you do, it no longer becomes a job but rather a passion. Enjoy what you do, and you’ll never feel like you’re working a day in your life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
During your week-long stay in Raleigh, NC, you’ll embark on a diverse and delightful journey. Begin with a morning at the Videri Chocolate Factory, followed by a leisurely stroll through the historic City Market for lunch at a local gem. The evening takes you to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts for a captivating performance.

On day two, immerse yourself in nature at the JC Raulston Arboretum before exploring the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and History. For dinner, savor the flavors of Southern cuisine locally.

Day three unfolds with art at the North Carolina Museum of Art and a relaxing afternoon at Pullen Park, my favorite park!

Discover unique shops in Cameron Village on day four, followed by lunch there. The evening brings the soulful tunes of a live show at The Pour House Music Hall.

Dive into Raleigh’s food scene on day five, starting with brunch and continuing with a culinary tour. For dinner, indulge in local flavors at a distinct restaurant.

Day six ventures beyond Raleigh to Durham, where you’ll explore the historic tobacco town and savor its renowned culinary offerings.

Towards the end of the week, find tranquility in the natural beauty of Lake Johnson Park or William B. Umstead State Park. This curated itinerary promises a week filled with cultural enrichment, outdoor exploration, and delectable dining experiences, ensuring your best friend’s visit to Raleigh is unforgettable!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A good chunk of my success goes out to a local cafe in Cary, Pineapple Sol, run by one of my really good friends. Prior to her opening her cafe, she was a dedicated customer that later moved out of state and yet would still order goodies to be shipped! Once she revealed to me that she was planning on opening up a cafe, she immediately told me that she wanted my sweets and treats featured there! I was so, so humbled in knowing that BlossombyHeidi would now expand and reach and even more of an audience! Stemming from there, I gained the confidence to accept offers for collaborations from other local cafes. I will forever be grateful for Pineapple Sol’s influence and confidence towards BlossombyHeidi!

Instagram: @blossombyheidi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blossombyheidi

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