“The hardest part of my business is getting my doughnuts delivered on time,” said Keoni Nguyen, owner and baker for SugaRush Donuts on University Avenue in St. Paul. “I have a 45 minute window to deliver the doughnuts.”
Call SugaRush at 651-797-3354 or drop by at 712 University Avenue, just one block east of Grotto in St. Paul. Email SugaRush.bakery@gmail.com
Nguyen delivers early in the mornings to churches, gas stations, coffee shops and corporate accounts. He works long hours starting at 9 p.m. seven days a week. His doughnut shop opens at 6 a.m. during the week and at 7 a.m. on the weekends.
“Advice I would give someone wanting their own business is to be willing to work all hours and do what you love,” said Nguyen. “Never hire a family member. You expect more of them than a normal employee.”
Family is what Nguyen is all about! His family started the doughnut shop five years ago but he just became the owner and baker two and half years ago. “The best part of my business is flexible hours so I can be with my young children,” said Nguyen. Other family members step in to help when there are extra deliveries needed.
Nguyen called Dawn Foods from Rogers, Minnesota to train him to be a baker. He laughingly recalls that after eight hours of baker’s training he was running his own business! His lemon bismarcks are smooth, light and delicious. He sells15 varieties of doughnuts, with the apple fritter being the most popular.
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Collaborative.
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