Stacey Welch-Andrade | Owner of Sprinkles by Stacey

Tell us about YOU!!    I knew at an early age when I was “playing” with my Easy-Bake Oven that I wanted to be a chef. When I was 11, I wrote to Bobby Flay telling him how I twisted around one of his recipes. Three months later, I received a call from his producer asking me to come to New York City to see a taping of his show and to go to his restaurants. I wanted to go, but I couldn’t as my family, and I had just moved from Michigan to Florida where my dad became a minister of a small church. When I was 14, I got my first job at Tropical Smoothie Café where I dressed as a banana and stood on the side of US 1 to bring customers inside. On my first day, I was trained on smoothies, wraps, and running the cash register. During my sophomore year of high school, I got into the culinary program at my school where I competed in culinary competitions and got a job as an apprentice in a local country club. I would later come back to this country club as their Executive Sous Chef. I attended Johnson & Wales University in North Miami and majored in Culinary Arts and completed two internships in Germany. I made the most of my time at Johnson & Wales, volunteering, working for the University, and helping the chef instructors on catered parties. My last internship in Germany is where I met my husband, Victor. He was my supervisor and we worked great together. After I completed my education, I moved over to Germany for one year. During this time is where I worked in Pastry! I loved it and learned so many things every day. In 2009, I came back to Florida and worked in a resort in Palm Beach. Victor and I were married in 2010 and in 2012 we welcomed our first daughter, Isabelle. Here is where my life was forever changed! No degree or education ever prepared me for motherhood. I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom as chef life and family life don’t mix. In 2013, I went back to my old high school and taught culinary arts part-time. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to pass on what I have learned. In 2015, Gabriella was born, and life turned upside down as my husband lost his job. We were planning to buy a house in Florida closer to his job. We looked for work all over Florida and found nothing. All our plans were shot down, but we know that God had his hand over it all. My husband applied for a job in Massachusetts, and he heard back in 20 minutes, we knew this is where God wanted us to be. After we moved to Massachusetts, I joined a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers), and it was exactly what my girls and I needed; we had found our community. I began food-blogging as way to keep up my skills and have a tie with the industry that I love so much. I also learned about food photography, SEO, and creating my website. In 2018, I rebranded my blog to Sprinkles by Stacey. In March 2020, my MOPS groups had a local cookie artist and fellow MOPS mom come and teach our group how to cookie decorate and I was hooked! During quarantine, I took class after class loving it even more! On May 16, 2020, I became a licensed residential kitchen and I have loved every minute of it. I am so happy that I can continue to be a part of the industry that I love in a new way. 

What makes you different/stand out in your industry?     As a chef, I draw on my experiences and trends to create new flavors of cookies and dishes. The story behind my recipe I use for my signature buttery vanilla bean cookie is based on the German cookie recipe that I would serve my family at Christmastime. When it paired together with the royal icing it resulted with a cookie full of vanilla and butter with a touch of sweetness, making it easy to eat a lot of them (not like I know).

What do your clients love about you?  My clients love that my cookies are not super sweet and that they are full of flavor, while looking beautiful. My clients also appreciate that I offer vegan and gluten-free options and different flavors. They love that I can turn their themes for their special moments into beautiful cookies.

What is the best advice you can share with others?  Give God your dreams. I honestly never thought that I would have my own business and to share my passion with others while being home with my girls. 

How has the Women’s Business League helped you? Joining Women’s Business League was the best thing that I did for me personally but also for my business. I leave every meeting feeling inspired, encouraged, and ready to take my business (and myself) to the next level. Right after my first meeting I felt instantly welcomed and supported by the ladies in the chapter. I love the connections, community, and relationships that I have made in Women’s Business League. I love being part of group that encourages community over competition and the importance of giving back.

Stacey Welch-Andrade

Stacey Welch-Andrade

Owner of Sprinkles by Stacey