Exploring Life & Business with Alyssa Albertone of Marlene’s Bakers Supply

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Albertone.

Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in Wickliffe, Ohio, a small suburb outside of Cleveland. After graduating from Ohio University, I lived in Columbus for a couple of years before moving to Phoenix for a job. My husband and I moved back to the Cleveland area in 2018. I kept my job in Phoenix and was doing the whole remote-work thing from Ohio way before the pandemic forced many people into it!

Last year, I was looking for something new. It just so happened that my great-aunt was also looking for someone to take over her small bakery supply store. She opened the store with a friend back in the early 1970s and was ready to retire.

I guess it was an instance of being in the right place at the right time. I hadn’t ever worked in retail, let alone run a business. But the fear of always wondering “what if?” outweighed the fear of trying something totally new.

And so now, I am the proud owner of Marlene’s Bakers Supply in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Marlene’s Bakers Supply?
Marlene’s Bakers Supply is the first and largest cake and candy supply store in Lake County. The business was started by my great-aunt 50 years ago and has operated in its current location for the last 35 years. We pride ourselves on being the place for our community to go when they are looking for supplies and advice related to their baking and candy-making endeavors.

I would say we are best known for our chocolate! We’re one of only a handful of local retailers that carry Mercken’s chocolate, a specialty chocolate wafer designed specifically for candy making, molding, and dipping without the need for tempering. We also carry a variety of sprinkles, sanding sugars, and molded sugar decorations. In addition, we offer a wide selection of cookie cutters, chocolate molds, cake pans, cupcake liners, candy cups, and miscellaneous cooking/baking supplies.

A growing part of our business, and the part that I am most excited about, is our selection of homemade treats. In-store, we offer cocoa bombs, chocolate-covered Oreos and pretzels, peanut butter cups, and more. I also accept custom orders of treat trays for things like birthday parties, weddings, showers, and holiday gatherings.

Last month, I wrapped up a complete renovation of our storefront space: new floors, new paint, and an entirely new layout. We’re offering all of the same great stuff, but in a space that feels brand new.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Generally, I would say I’m pretty risk-averse. I like to have all of the information before jumping into something.

However, I did quit my full-time job (with a good salary!) to take over a business that I knew very little about. So, that was definitely a major risk!

When I was still making the decision of whether or not I was going to buy this business from my aunt, I knew that if I said no, I would be constantly wondering “what if?” That idea is what ultimately led me to go all-in on it.

And finally, has it been an easy path overall? If not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! I’ve jumped around a lot. When I first moved to Columbus, I was juggling multiple unpaid internships while I looked for a full-time job. My first “real” job was as an event coordinator. I learned so much in that job, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought I would be doing. I hit my stride in Phoenix and really loved my job for a while. But eventually. I was facing burnout and was just generally feeling unfulfilled with my corporate job.

At the end of September 2020, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer at age 61 and died a few weeks later.

My dad’s death completely shattered my world. And I’m still learning how to live in a world without my dad. But in many ways, his death set me on the path to becoming a small business owner. I was left wanting something more out of life. I find myself channeling my dad into many aspects of my business and the decisions I make daily. I wish he was here to see it all coming together, but I know that even in death, my dad is giving me the strength I need.

Contact Info:

• Email: marlenescle@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenescle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlenescle/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/marlenes-baker-supply-wickliffe-2