Many teens use technology to distract them from their everyday life, Junior Jo Ale Thomas uses her baking skills. 

“I wanted to be on my phone less than I was, I actually wanted to have something to do,” Thomas said, describing how she started baking.

For about a year and a half, she has been baking all sorts of treats for sale.

“It started off a little slow,” Thomas said, “but now I’ve gained a big clientele by doing events and making new things every day.”

Thomas operates her business with professionalism and maturity, as any business owner would.

“I’m more professional,” Thomas said. “The way I handle myself, my social media platforms, and how I present my desserts are way different from everyone else.”

Thomas offers cookies, brownies, cupcakes and plenty more sweet treats.

Another important factor for her business, Aejas Sweet Spot, is the safety of her customers.

“When I took my FDA class, some protocols I learned for cooking were sanitizing everything that could be a hazard. I sanitize after using eggs, I clean out the fridge before I put things in there to cool. I never keep things around meat, wash my hands and dishes consistency if I’m using nuts, switch bowls and spoons if someone is allergic to something,” Thomas said  

Although Thomas has high standards and expectations for her business, she still faces challenges for being a young entrepreneur.

“A hard thing is people are not showing interest in my business because I’m so young,” Thomas said. “It’s a lot of underestimating.” 

Thomas, who was first influenced by her godmother and social media to start baking, has taken a spiral turn, being a part of multiple public events and now using baking as her escape.

“It’s very calming, whenever I feel like I’m having a bad day I go bake and everything goes away,” Thomas said.