Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Mantz.
Hi Ashley, 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?
There’s a moment when you realize you’re not just “trying something”—you’re building something real. For me, that moment didn’t come with perfect timing or ideal circumstances. It came in the middle of healing, uncertainty, and learning how to keep going anyway.
My journey into baking and building Sweets & Treats By Ashley didn’t start from a place of perfection—it started from resilience.
I’ve faced my share of challenges. Living with PCOS, navigating my health, being legally blind, and experiencing personal loss—especially losing my father—have all shaped who I am. At the same time, I’ve also taken on the role of being a caretaker for my spouse as he’s navigated serious health challenges and recovery. There were seasons where life felt overwhelming and heavy, where I was pouring into someone else while trying to hold myself together, and simply showing up each day felt like a victory. But in those moments, baking became more than something I enjoyed—it became my peace, my outlet, and eventually, my purpose.
I remember a specific moment that shifted everything for me. I was preparing an order, second-guessing myself like I had so many times before—wondering if I was “good enough,” if people would really support me, if this could actually turn into something bigger. But when I saw the reaction—the genuine excitement, the joy, the way something I created made someone else feel—it clicked. This wasn’t just baking anymore. This was impact. That was the moment I stopped seeing this as a hobby and started claiming it as a business.
What started as something I did for comfort turned into something I wanted to share. I realized that the same joy and warmth I felt while creating desserts could become part of other people’s most meaningful moments—celebrations, gatherings, or even just a small moment of happiness in their day.
Building my business hasn’t been easy. There have been moments of doubt, slow growth, and a lot of learning along the way. I’ve had to teach myself not just how to refine my craft, but how to believe in myself as an entrepreneur. I’ve learned to move forward even when things aren’t perfect, to trust my vision, and to keep showing up.
Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Sweets & Treats By Ashley is more than a bakery—it’s a reflection of my journey, my strength, and my creativity. From curated menus and seasonal flavors to hosting experiences like cupcake decorating events, I’m building something intentional—something that brings people together and leaves a lasting impression.
I’m still growing, still learning, and still dreaming bigger every day. But one thing I know for sure is that I didn’t give up—and that’s what makes this journey so meaningful.
If my story shows anything, it’s that even in the middle of life’s challenges, you can create something beautiful, something impactful, and something truly your own.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped my journey.
I’ve navigated personal struggles like managing my health with PCOS, being legally blind, and losing my father—all while also stepping into the role of caretaker for my spouse during his health challenges. Balancing those realities while building a business hasn’t been easy.
On the business side, I’ve faced self-doubt, slow seasons, and the learning curve of growing something from the ground up. But each obstacle taught me resilience, discipline, and how to विश्वास in myself.
It hasn’t been perfect—but it’s been purposeful, and absolutely worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the owner and creative force behind Sweets & Treats By Ashley, a bakery focused on handcrafted, seasonal desserts and curated sweet experiences. I specialize in creating desserts that feel both comforting and elevated—everything from cupcakes, cookies, and bars to custom dessert jars and themed dessert experiences.
What I’m most known for is not just the desserts themselves, but the feeling they create. My work is centered around detail, flavor balance, and presentation—designing treats that make people pause, smile, and feel celebrated. I also host interactive cupcake decorating experiences that allow people to step into a joyful, hands-on moment and create something of their own.
What sets me apart is the heart behind everything I do. My business was built during a season of real life challenges—navigating my health, being legally blind, losing my father, and also being a caretaker for my spouse during his health journey. I didn’t build this from perfect circumstances; I built it from persistence, creativity, and resilience.
I’m most proud of the fact that I kept going. I taught myself, refined my craft, and turned something that started as comfort into a growing brand that brings people together. Every order, every event, and every customer experience represents more than dessert—it represents intention, care, and growth.
At the core, I don’t just sell sweets—I create moments people remember.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is living with purpose, showing up for the people I love, and creating something meaningful even through life’s hardest seasons. Being a caretaker for my spouse while navigating my own health challenges has taught me that real strength is found in love, patience, and persistence. At the same time, building my business has shown me that impact matters more than perfection—I want everything I create, from desserts to experiences, to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of being seen.
Pricing:
- Cupcakes: $6 each / $36 half dozen / $65 dozen
- Cookies: $3.50 each / $20 half dozen / $37 dozen
- Bars/Brownies: $4.50 each / $28 half dozen / $52 dozen
- Cakes: starting at $55+ (6 inch) and $65+ (8 inch)
- Dessert jars: pricing varies by flavor and size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sweetstreatsbyashley.wixsite.com/my-site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefashleysweets
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cu41Pm8Ht/
