Haley “Stallie” Wedemeier is the owner and baker of Stallie’s Sweets, a baked-to-order business in Huxley, which takes its moniker from Stallsmith, Wedemeier’s maiden name. You might spy Stallie’s Sweets’ Treat Trailer (the newly renovated 1972 Layton camper) at events around Iowa, like Locally Grown Showcase in Madrid, or the neighborhood brewery. Learn about Haley “Stallie” Wedemeier…
Hometown: Charles City “Chucktown,” Iowa
First job: Babysitting was my first paid job, along with detasseling corn in the summer. In the “real world,” I was a hostess at a local restaurant.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in IA: Walking the woodland trails (when tick count is low) with my husband and two dogs or trying to find the best-kept secrets for ice cream shops or restaurants.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Succeeding at betting on myself from the very start, even when some people questioned taking the entrepreneurship route right out of high school. Being able to show myself and everyone who has always supported me that I knew I could do it has been the sweetest, most fulfilling, reward.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Being a people pleaser or thinking everyone needs/will love every product I put out. Finally understanding that I can’t perfect an item to please everyone was a freeing day. It took me years and many tears, but one day it clicked.
Someone who inspires you and why: I have too many to mention by name. One thing they all have in common, though, is they’re all small business entrepreneurs who took and still take risks because they believed in themselves and in their products/services. Anyone who continues to adapt, educate, network and most importantly, support, like-minded small business people are people who I gravitate towards and strive to be.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Stay true to what you love to do or it won’t be fun anymore. Not everyone is going to give you a five-star review, and you’re going to have to be OK with it. You’ll make mistakes but admitting them and moving forward will only make you better for the long haul. Staying small is OK; you don’t have to have the biggest business to be the best business (enter winky face).
Favorite quote: “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend, and at some point you will.” –Venus Williams
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I have webbed toes!
What makes someone fabulous: Someone who is genuinely themselves. Having confidence in who they are while uplifting and supporting others to do the same is the most fabulous thing a human can do!