Sweet Ideas NI, a delightful new sweet shop, has recently opened its doors, bringing a burst of sweetness to Portadown. Founded by Naomi Stafford, this charming shop offers a variety of custom sweet gifts for all occasions, alongside a cosy coffee shop experience.
Naomi, a 26-year-old mother of two young children, has recently celebrated the official launch of Sweet Ideas NI in Portadown. What began as a small sweet stand in July 2023 has quickly blossomed into a thriving family business, now offering custom sweet gifts for special occasions and a welcoming community coffee shop at The Meadows Shopping Centre.
Naomi’s entrepreneurial spirit has been evident since her teenage years when she enjoyed setting up and selling at car boot sales. After clearing out the family attic, she ventured into selling Avon and upcycling items from Facebook Marketplace. With a relentless drive to create a better life for herself and her family, Naomi transformed her side hustles into a full-time career.
Initially, Naomi started with NV Travel, organising family holidays in Europe. However, her true passion emerged when she began crafting creative sweet gifts for occasions like Halloween, weddings, birthdays, and Christmas. Thus, “Sweet Ideas” was born, and Naomi found immense joy and fulfilment in her newfound creativity. The family home quickly transformed into a sweet shop warehouse, with the kitchen table doubling as a workspace.
What started as a solo venture soon became a family business. Naomi’s mother, partner, and children actively supported her at market fairs and events. It was her 6-year-old son who inspired the idea of opening a coffee sweet shop when he innocently asked, “Mummy, why don’t you open a sweet shop?”
Fate intervened when Naomi spotted a Facebook ad seeking an entrepreneur to take over a sweet shop unit in Portadown. Recognising the opportunity as serendipity, she decided to take a leap of faith, resign from her job, and fully commit to her dream.
With the launch of Sweet Ideas NI Coffee Shop, Naomi aims to create a vibrant hub of creativity and community in Portadown. The café will not only serve delicious coffee but also showcase her unique sweet creations, bringing people together and celebrating special moments. Naomi’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, family support, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams.
Call into Sweet Ideas at The Meadows Shopping Centre, Unit 43, Portadown, BT62 3TN. You can also find out more here