Alumni Profiles is an ongoing series highlighting successful graduates who, with a SUNY education, achieved interesting and influential careers.
Heather Saffer is an alumna of SUNY Brockport and the owner of Dollop, a gourmet cupcake shop, just outside Rochester, NY. In February, her bakery team won $10,000 on an episode of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” Congratulations, Heather!
How did your SUNY education help prepare you for life and your career?
Well, majoring in psychology taught me about people and since I deal with many different people on a daily basis, I think that education is fairly useful.
What is a typical day at work like for you?
Each day is different and I actually never know what to expect. Something amazing might happen or something terrible might happen from day to day. I usually try to get a crossfit workout in when I wake up, and then the rest of the day includes going to the shop, dealing with staff matters, sales, meetings, phone calls, etc. There’s always something I’m working towards.
What was your involvement with any clubs/student organizations on campus?
I actually never lived on campus and so I didn’t really have any involvement with clubs or organizations. I was that loner student going to class and going home.
Did you do any baking while going to SUNY Brockport?
I started baking and I started my business before I graduated. I almost wasn’t going to finish after my business started taking off but I was only 6 credits shy.
What advice do you have to share with SUNY students?
Go after your goals. Anyone can seriously do anything they want to do as long as they are willing to sacrifice and work hard. It won’t be easy but rule #1 is to not avoid doing something out of fear.