From a young age, Miami Herbert Business School alumna, Jossie Lukacik, BSBA ’13, has always had room for dessert.
Originally starting her journey at the University of Miami as an engineering student, she quickly realized she wanted to pursue entrepreneurship. By the end of her freshman year, she was enrolled at Miami Herbert and pursuing a business degree with the dream of owning her own pastry business someday.
As a business student, she took every class project as an opportunity to finetune her future pastry business.
She frequently tested business ideas and models in class with guidance from her professors.
She specifically credits Miami Herbert professor Josephy Ganitsky, whom she’s kept in touch with over the years, for his guidance and unwavering support.
“It was in Professor Ganitsky’s class that I started to see the real possibilities ahead of me,” said Jossie when reflecting on her time as a student. “From the very beginning, I knew he believed in me, and the impact of his faith in me and the knowledge he instilled in me, has carried me through my career.”
From being named Pastry Chef of the Year 2017 by the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, to closing her business to rethink her business plan in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jossie has faced many peaks and valleys as a business owner.
Despite roadblocks, Jossie has always been a tough cookie. It is her perseverance and discipline that earned her a spot on the Food Network’s ‘Christmas Cookie Challenge’ to compete for $10,000 and the coveted golden ornament.
As the owner of Sweet Spot Studio, a creative baking studio located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offering a variety of classes and workshops, which ships nationwide, and over a decade of experience training with some of the best pastry chefs in the world, Jossie is more than ready to showcase her skills.
In 2021, Jossie was named Charlottean of the Year for helping tenant kitchens stay in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year, she won Best Vocational School from the Charlotte Observer.
Watch Jossie’s episode on Thursday, December 19, 2024, on the Food Network at 9 p.m. EST.
