Business name: Simply Sweets.
Owner: Jen Allpress.
Address: 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 169.
What the business does: Simply Sweets bakes cupcakes daily. They also offer custom cakes and cheesecakes. Jen Allpress has gluten-free cupcakes on Fridays, or when custom ordered. The shop also offers decorating supplies as well as decorating classes and baking and decorating tips and tricks.
How has the economy affected your business: Allpress thinks the economy actually has helped her business. She said people still want comfort food, and her business offers it in small bites at a small cost. Also, people still get married and want a fancy cake.
o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Greatest challenge: Allpress said her greatest challenge has been learning how to manage a business, something she is doing for the first time. She has not had any formal business education. Her background is as an emergency room technician. The company has had to upgrade equipment, adding mixers and buying industrial ovens and refrigerators.
