While most students’ worry about the pressure of finishing their homework or studying for exams, Senior Angel Brinson is juggling an extra pressure: running her own baking company Angelic Sweets.

The first idea for the successful business started simple.

“I think the first time I made like a batch of cookies for my family and then I got a lot of compliments. I was like, I can just sell this and I make money,” she said.

When Brinson’s sophomore year rolled around, she thought: why not make it a business?

“I started it before the end of sophomore year, and then I came up with—well, my cousin actually came up with the name before me. When I was like 10, I made a YouTube channel and she named it Angelic Sweets. So I just stole that,” she said.

Brinson didn’t have anyone to rely on to learn her craft. Though her passion has since pushed her to join the culinary program at Robinson.

“I was self-taught, and then after I started the business, I joined culinary,” she said.

When showing her menu, her favorite sweet treat shines through: cookies.

“I mainly make cookies, but I also do cakes for events and brownies. So I ask people around and whatever they want, I normally make. I do custom orders. So whoever requests something, I make it up for a day or two days or whatever, and then sell that, and I change it up, like, every day.”

When asked about her inspiration for her treats, she points to Pinterest.

“I play around with recipes I find on Pinterest and see what I think will add or anything.”

As an early business owner, she’s had to think about the business side of baking.

“I asked my friend, because her dad has his own business, and I asked her for suggestions about how I should price it. My pricing is average, based on the size of the cookie, I add more or less, but the average is for like a dozen, half a dozen, so I say.”

But running a business can become overwhelming at times.

“The hardest part is probably balancing school and home and stuff and baking,” Brinson said.

Even during stressful times, she looks back at her proudest achievements.

“Proudest probably when I made like two full sheet cakes for the office because one of the admin tried my cake and liked it, so they ordered something for Halloween.”

Brinson’s friend, who has supported her business from the start, has seen her dedication firsthand.

“I first tried her baking in sophomore year, and I was extremely happy—I believed she had great potential,” Senior Mae Campbell said. “Despite her extremely busy schedule, she always makes time for her orders. She fulfills her orders in an extremely timely manner. Somehow she always makes time for it, she is also in Starlets, however she is able to juggle her schedule very efficiently by keeping her tasks well organized and scheduled.”

The two also collaborate through their businesses.

“I support her business with my own business, she is the official baker for Son of a Brisket’s Catering company. I also frequently buy goods from her and encourage my friends and family to order from her. I also provide her help at events when it is needed.”

Brinson’s mom, Shirley Adams, has also been cheering her on since day one.

“I was in full support! She used to wreck the kitchen trying new recipes! There was always flour and chocolate everywhere, but her face when she nailed it was priceless! I knew then, she found her passion,” Adams said.

She’s watched her daughter grow from experimenting with simple chocolate chip cookies to creating custom desserts for all occasions.

“She started by only trying different versions of a chocolate chip cookie, I believe she was 13 years old at the time. Now she bakes cookies, cakes, brownies, all sorts of treats! She even does gluten free! So from her start of only making chocolate chip cookies to now, her willingness to try, fail and try again until she nails it shows her growth,” Adams said.

Her mom describes Brinson as deeply creative.

“Her creative flair makes her treats stand out! She always tweaks her recipes to add something special for her customers. For example, she made one of her best friends a birthday cake for their 16th birthday and she added little details of gold sparkles and decor that catered to her specific customers and their tastes.”

Angel’s mother remains the proud “certified taste tester.”

“I’m always in awe of the way she prioritizes her tasks! It’s always school first and everything else as they come! I have no idea how she does it all but it is truly amazing to watch and be a part of,” she said. “Wow, so many proud moments to choose from! I think when she made her first dollar selling cookies. She went to the president of a football organization and got permission to sell cookies at the game! Seeing her step out of her comfort zone and follow her passion was one of my proudest moments.”

Looking ahead, Brinson hopes to further her education in culinary.

“I want to attend the Culinary Institute of America in New York,” she said.

Her advice for other young entrepreneurs is simple.

“I just started, ask your friends for help. They’ll spread the word. Test your recipes on them or test whatever you’re doing on them, see if they like it, and then go from there,” Brinson said.

If you’d like to try one of Angel’s Angelic Sweets, contact her through Instagram @angelic_sweetz15.