Hi, welcome to my Gumroad. I am Ann LoParo aka “Annie” or sometimes referred to as Aunt Annie:) I was born in Westerville, Ohio and raised primarily in Avon Lake, Ohio. I am a graduate of Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University and an Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. I made a huge career switch in 2006, when I was 29. I decided to leave my social work job with Cuyahoga County Department of Children & Family Services to pursue my passion for pastry. I was a social worker from 2000 until 2006 and worked with children and families that were abused and neglected in Cleveland, Ohio. Baking has always been a way for me to release my stress, express my creativity, and satisfy my sweet tooth cravings. :) Annie’s Signature Sweets was created out of my intense passion for desserts, a need to satisfy my huge sweet tooth and a need for something new after spending 10 years working as a pastry chef in restaurants and clubs all over the U.S. I began my pastry career in 2006 and never looked back. Annie’s Signature Sweets was created in August 2017 and has been the best and most challenging thing I have ever done (besides going to Bali, which literally changed my life). To be honest, I burned out of the business after a decade and needed a fresh start and some time to figure out what was next for me. At the age of 40, I started a business with no business background, no loans, no business partner, just a passion, a purpose and a humongous sweet tooth! Annie’s Signature Sweets creates classic desserts with a twist and focuses on fresh, fun and unforgettable sweets. My baking classes started in February 2018 and since that time, I have taught over 500 baking classes. In March 2020, due to Covid, I started teaching virtual baking classes. I am teaching students all over the world! My classes in real life and virtually, always encourage you to explore your own creativity, I am there with you every step of the way and you are surrounded by the best students ever! My online classes take place on Zoom and are great for any occasion (birthdays, team building, bachelor/bachelorette parties, happy hour, friends and family gatherings or if you just want to do something for yourself (we all deserve some fun in our lives). I was named the 5th best Pastry Chef in Cleveland by Cleveland Scene Magazine. I won 5th place in Cleveland.com’s most sinful sweet contest with my Pretzel Salted Caramel Cheesecake. My lemon lavender shortbread was in Cleveland Magazine as part of the “Cleveland S’more”, I have been on Channel 3 news and New Day Cleveland several times, I have been on Taste Buds with Jen Piccano, and FB live with Stefani Schaefer. I was featured in my high school alumni magazine, I have been featured in the West Shore Sun 3x since 2017 and made the front page in December 2018. I had my first ever published dessert in Cleveland Magazine in December 2018, a flourless Christmas ale torte. I was recently featured on Cleveland.com and in the Cleveland Plain Dealer for my virtual baking classes. I was featured in Country Living Magazine in April 2020 showcasing my live virtual baking classes. My virtual baking classes have connected me with students all over the United States and I recently taught students in Canada India, Hawaii and the Philippines. I was featured on Parade.com on August 7th, 2020 as part of “25 Virtual Cooking Classes to Up your Kitchen Game During Coronavirus”. I was featured on Yelp in August 2020. I was featured on Fox 8’s New Day Cleveland on May 7th, 2020 to talk about my virtual baking classes. I have taught 5 virtual kids baking camps, several team building events, virtual bachelorette parties and have been able to connect families and friends from all over the world from the safety of their own homes. I am available for international private virtual baking classes for team building, networking events, happy hours and more. I have limited availability for in person classes in Cleveland, as the space I was using prior the pandemic, is no longer available to me as of September 2021. I love creating unique flavor combinations and everything that I make is delicious, beautiful and I will teach you my tips and tricks to make it uniquely yours. I run this business alone and am learning to embrace all the challenges that come along with the amazing rewards. I have the best students and fans ever! xoxo Annie