Sally earned $ 500 in one day selling homemade candy
Sally Maruca is living the sweet life making and selling candy. Here’s how
At just 10 years old, I made my first batch of fudge in my mother’s kitchen. At the time, it was a fun way to spend a few hours, but I soon realized I was really good at it.
“Later, while working as one of the first plain-clothed female detectives for the Washington, D.C., police department, I still spent time in my kitchen. On holidays and birthdays, I’d give friends and family chocolate turtles, toffee, pecan brittle, cashew brittle, and Italian pizzelles as gifts. They loved them so much that when I retired in Oklahoma, they encouraged me to start a home business. “Two years ago, I took samples to the head of the biggest year-round farmers market in my area. He tasted my candy and said, ‘Sally, this isn’t just good, it’s exotic!’ I spent the rest of the week making candy. On Saturday, I showed up bright and early, put the chocolates in a cooler so they wouldn’t melt and displayed the rest under a Sally’s Homemade Candies banner. I depended on word of mouth to bring in customers—it worked, and I’ve been a regular ever since. I charge $10 a bag (each has 8–10 pieces), and I’ve made as much as $500 in a day! This year, I also sold my candy at the state fair and a holiday market. “I spend a few hours nearly every day making and packaging my candy. Thanks to the extra money I’ve earned, I’m able to give several people I know a helping hand when they need it. Another perk? At 78, I’m active and engaged. I meet new people all the time, and they tell me I make their lives sweeter. Each morning, I wake up excited to start the day!”