From cookies, to cupcakes, and complex cake designs, JoyJoy Sweets, a mother-son bakery based in Lovettsville, Virginia, is able to share desserts with customers across western Loudoun. Driven by a love of baking, JoyJoy sweets was opened by Rebekah Goetz in 2018. As time went on and the business became more popular in the community, Goetz’s son, senior Lane Goetz, became more involved. “Lane has always been artistic, and baking gave him another way to use that talent. Restarting the business together gave us something fun we could both share,” Rebekah Goetz shared. Not only does the business give Lane and Rebekah a possibility to build up each other’s shared interest, but they also have the chance to share their talents and passions with the community through JoyJoy Sweets.
Building and running a business requires not only a lot of time and work, but also involves lots of skills, like the difficulty of balancing responsibilities, especially while enrolled in school. Lane Goetz shared how he learned, “how to balance time and responsibility, as well as the nuts and bolts of running a business.” When it comes to starting up a business, or trying new things, he shared the importance of remembering that, “you can build something while still learning.” Lane Goetz runs JoyJoy Sweets’ social media, takes classes, and devotes time to hobbies such as guitar and jiu-jitsu, proving that balance is possible for students.
Although the focus is baking, decorating, and interacting with customers, JoyJoy sweets is more than just a sweet shop. Being a small business, the Goetz family has learned what it means to work together while spreading their love of decorating and baking with those around them. Rebekah Goetz stated, “It’s not just a business, it’s also something Lane and I enjoy doing together. It gives us time side by side, creating and building something that makes other people happy.”
However, their business does not just help them grow closer together, they also work alongside the community. Rebekah Goetz covers orders used for all sorts of celebratory events, “Creating something that becomes a small part of those memories makes us feel connected to the people in our community,” she expressed. As JoyJoy Sweets continues to share their delicious creations, they prove the importance of family and community by spending time together to share their talents with local customers.