We recently had the chance to connect with Jackie Huebbe and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I started pottery as a hobby a little over a year ago, and while it humbles me every single time I sit at the wheel, I cannot get enough.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jackie Huebbe, and I own SugarBot Sweet Shop & Creamery. We specialize in nostalgic, high quality baked goods, ice cream, and confections that help folks break down systemic barriers, gain meaningful employment, and earn a living wage.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I feel like I have an alternative view on this – I don’t know that anyone can really see themselves with clarity. There’s some part of our brains that is always shifting to protect us from the things that perhaps we are better off not knowing, even about ourselves.
This is something that I’ve struggled with a fair bit in recent years. Perhaps some of that is imposter syndrome, but I think that some of it is also being so close to yourself at all times, that it can be really hard to see the bigger creature that we each exist as. How’s that for an existential response?
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think so many previous generations saw struggle as this pivotal experience that made you better. People needed to struggle for their education, their art, their career positions. We need to work hard to make the future better with what we’re given, and a big part of that is alleviating struggles.
Struggling with college tuition, housing, mental health… Why are we still creating policy that makes these struggles feel noble, when they’re cruelties that are systematically created by policy work in our government? I can’t say that I am better off for any of the things that I have fought for. They’re not bragging rights that I feel make me any more valid than I would have been had I not experienced those things.
I would love to see future generations “struggle” more with their positive possibilities than the things that hold them back. That’s why the work that I do with SugarBot is so important.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that you could logic people into changing a situation. I know now that once someone’s identity is closely tied to a belief, next to nothing will change it. It’s made for a rough climate in the US right now, and I wish that there were a simple answer for moving forward. When I find that, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I absolutely feel born to do the work I’m doing now, as hard as it is. I spent a large portion of my life before SugarBot working for other people because I was told that was the way forward, and I spent much of my life as a young adult very unhappy. Trying to fit into someone else’s mold is something I’m very lucky that I haven’t needed to do fully for years.
Obviously there are times where I have to compromise to get things done, but those paths are always leading closer to a way forward, and that is what matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://getsugarbot.com
- Instagram: @sugarbotsweetshop and @sugarbotcreamry
- Linkedin: Jackie Huebbe
- Facebook: SugarBot Sweet Shop / SugarBot Creamery
Image Credits
SugarBot Sweet Shop & Creamery
