2 minute read
SWEET SNAX
IN PROFILE
Childhood passion blossoms into ‘Sweet Snax’ business
BY TERESA HAMMOND
209 Business Journal
It might just be the energy, enthusiasm or originality, but one thing is for sure; Nae’s Sweet Snax is a product of love and passion.
While the newly opened business in Oakdale might be a current side gig for young and energetic Renee Burrell, her gift for goodies is undeniable.
“It’s fun for me. It’s definitely hard work, but it’s fun for me,” Burrell said of Nae’s Sweet Snax. “I just like seeing people smile.”
The small business owner shared that she first happened upon Oakdale two years ago during a lower than usual attendance Oakdale Chocolate Festival.
“Since there weren’t that many chocolate people there, a lot of people ended up coming back to my booth,” she said. “I ended up selling out before it ended.”
It turned out to be a fortuitous decision to take part in the festival.
“I felt very welcome and I got a lot of great feedback,” she continued. “That’s how I got to know about Oakdale.”
Making a play on her family nickname, Nae or Nae Nae was the start of Nae’s Sweet Snax. Burrell also related stories of sharing sweets with her father as a child, as well as spending time with him in the kitchen while others played. The newly opened business storefront is at 730 E. F St., Suite D, Oakdale.
Initially launching her business in 2020, Burrell focused more on weddings and special events at first, noting that a large number of clients have gone away from traditional cakes for their events and lean more toward individual confections.
Burrell offers a variety of individually specialty wrapped brownies, as well as cookies, various brittles, lemon bars and ice cream. All made, packaged, labeled and delivered by her personally.
Yet it was the encouragement of her business manager and fellow entrepreneur Kendra Jordan which brought the baker to a brickand-mortar storefront.
“She really pushed me to think bigger,” Burrell said.
“In just meeting her and her personality, I saw the drive in her,” Jordan said of Burrell, noting her passion as a fellow entrepreneur to support others in business.
“Trust me when you eat the
SEE SNAX, PAGE 8
Renee Burrell of Nae’s Sweet Snax is open for business and ready to greet customers with her tasty confections at her newly opened East F Street location in Oakdale.
TERESA HAMMOND/209 Business Journal
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