Jude Sharp Of The Unsweetened Tooth: Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life

An Interview With Jake Frankel

Entrepreneurship is hard: In the initial phases, I underestimated the sheer magnitude of the challenges and time commitment required to build and sustain a successful business, especially at my age, now 73. The demands of wearing multiple hats, from recipe development to marketing, proved more exhaustive than I could have imagined.

Many successful people reinvented themselves in a later period in their lives. Jeff Bezos worked on Wall Street before he reinvented himself and started Amazon. Sara Blakely sold office supplies before she started Spanx. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a WWE wrestler before he became a successful actor and filmmaker. Arnold Schwarzenegger went from a bodybuilder, to an actor to a Governor. McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was a milkshake-device salesman before starting the McDonalds franchise in his 50s.

How does one reinvent themselves? What hurdles have to be overcome to take life in a new direction? How do you overcome those challenges? How do you ignore the naysayers? How do you push through the paralyzing fear?

In this series called “Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life “ we are interviewing successful people who reinvented themselves in a second chapter in life, to share their story and help empower others.

As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jude Sharp.

From Silicon Valley engineer to founder and head baker of The Unsweetened Tooth, Jude Sharp embraced entrepreneurship in her late 60’s. She creates delectable desserts for those with dietary and health restrictions assuring they are keto and diabetic- friendly, gluten free, non- GMO and especially 100% no sugar added. Now in her 70’s, her second chapter focuses on surprising and delighting customers all over the country by letting them reclaim their seat at the dessert table.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

Like many people, I did not have a great childhood. Growing up in a lower economic class and facing abuse at home, I made a firm decision that these circumstances would not dictate the future of my life. Instead, I’ve chosen resilience, harnessing the inner strength to overcome these hardships and forge a life filled with purpose and strength. By the age of ten, with both parents working and being the oldest, I took on the responsibility of caring for the family, cooking dinners, and learning how to bake. This early experience fuels my dedication to baking delectable desserts that all can enjoy as well as providing meals for the homeless. In the face of significant adversity during my early childhood, I’ve emerged resilient and strong. That is what helps me with the trials of entrepreneurship.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“You have free will to make choices.”

Several years ago, I received a life-altering diagnosis — I was on the brink of becoming diabetic, risking not only my health but also the possibility of losing my eyesight. Faced with the prospect of insulin injections, a path my mother unfortunately knew too well, I chose to take a different route — eliminating sugar from my diet. The fear of needles made this choice easier, but the struggle to break free from the addictive grip of sugar was real. Witnessing the havoc diabetes wreaked on my mother motivated me to persevere. I can’t say whether it’s persistence or sheer stubbornness, but I managed to avoid insulin injections and maintain my eyesight.

You have been blessed with much success. In your opinion, what are the top three qualities that you possess that have helped you accomplish so much?

Compassion, persistence, bravery.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about ‘Second Chapters’. Can you tell our readers about your career experience before your Second Chapter?

In 1967, I made the move to California, earning Clear California Teaching Credentials. However, my journey took an unexpected turn in 1979 when I ventured to Israel to teach English. After a few months, I found myself contributing to the construction of American bases under the Camp David Accords. I returned to the U.S. in 1981, leveraging my knack for breaking down problems into manageable parts and to take computer classes.

Soon after, I pursued further education at IIT in Chicago, graduating with a master’s in computer science in 1985. My career officially kicked off with an internship at Rockwell, marking the inception of a 35-year journey in the field.

And how did you “reinvent yourself” in your Second Chapter?

In the early days of my career, the computer industry was in its infancy, dominated by major players like IBM. After returning to California post-graduation, I embarked on my journey in the computer industry as a programmer in 1985. While I initially found it less captivating, I pivoted towards Systems Administration, progressing into High Availability and Recovery, Performance, Databases, and Computer Education.

Throughout this time, my love for baking persisted, albeit with sugar-laden creations. I would whip up batches of cookies, bringing joy to my coworkers — who devoured six dozen cookies within just one hour. Little did I know that this seemingly simple act would be the precursor to my second chapter, a reinvention as an entrepreneur spreading joy through delectable desserts tailored for those with health conditions. Just as I applied precision and science to my work as a computer scientist, I now bring that same dedication to the art of baking.

Can you tell us about the specific trigger that made you decide that you were going to “take the plunge” and make your huge transition?

The plunge has been in the making since 1987, the year I was told I was on the brink of diabetes. I began eliminating sugar from my diet wherever possible. This commitment, coupled with perseverance, ultimately led to a remarkable weight loss of around 100 pounds and the aha moment of what my next chapter would be — Founder and Head Baker of The Unsweetened Tooth, a specialty bakery serving delectable desserts and fruit curds for those with dietary restrictions and health conditions that prevent them from having sugar. My vision is for everyone to reclaim their seat at the dessert table without sacrificing deliciousness. It took several decades to bring it to fruition, but I did it. Now I am the go-to solution for those who want desserts that are 100% no sugar added, keto and diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

What did you do to discover that you had a new skillset inside of you that you haven’t been maximizing? How did you find that and how did you ultimately overcome the barriers to help manifest those powers?

Discovering my hidden skillset was a gradual process spurred by challenges in my entrepreneurial journey. Initially relying on my baking and recipe expertise, I soon realized the need to tap into untapped potential to overcome obstacles.

Recognizing my knack for problem-solving and adaptability, I embraced opportunities for growth through mentorship and learning. Confronting self-doubt and fear, I stepped outside my comfort zone, taking calculated risks to drive success in my business. With each challenge conquered, my confidence grew, fueling further skill development and progress.

How are things going with this new initiative? We would love to hear some specific examples or stories.

In my 70s, running a business in a fast-paced environment comes with its challenges, but I’m committed to attending trade shows, farmer markets, and local events year-round. Despite the long hours and physical demands, the rewards are immense.

Meeting customers face-to-face and seeing their reactions as they enjoy our desserts is the most rewarding part of my work. Witnessing their delight and disbelief when they taste our sugar-free treats that cater to various health needs is truly heartwarming.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that everything in my early life has led me to this moment. My second chapter as an entrepreneur allows me to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, one bite of dessert at a time. It’s fulfilling to know that our treats not only satisfy cravings but also contribute to our customers’ overall well-being.

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Gratitude is often found in unexpected places, and in my journey as an entrepreneur, I owe a debt of gratitude to a network of taste testers and ingredient companies. These people played a crucial role in my pursuit of perfecting recipes using alternative sugars. Collaborating with these companies meant engaging with both chemists and chefs who generously shared their expertise, offering invaluable insights into the intricate chemistry of baking. The art of baking is a science.

I must say thank you to my husband, Duncan, who supported my passion so much that he built me a commercial kitchen, equipped with everything I need to achieve my mission, and he helps me run the company every step of the way. Without him, none of this venture would have started, taken off, or sustained itself.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started in this new direction?

One memorable experience occurred at an event where two friends approached our booth to sample our cheesecake. One friend skeptically walked away, convinced that the alternative sugar would ruin the taste. However, the other friend decided to give it a try and was so impressed that he insisted his companion return for a taste. When the hesitant friend finally tried the cheesecake, he had to admit that his friend was right, and they shared a good laugh over the unexpected delight.

Another impactful moment was when a diabetic individual visited our booth. Skeptical about how our fruit curds would affect his blood sugar, he decided to test it himself using a Dexcom glucose monitoring device. After sampling our curds and monitoring his glucose levels for half an hour, he returned to confirm that our product indeed had no significant impact on his blood sugar. It was a powerful validation of our commitment to providing delicious treats that cater to specific dietary needs.

This is why I do what I do.

Did you ever struggle with believing in yourself? If so, how did you overcome that limiting belief about yourself? Can you share a story or example?

I often struggle with self-belief in this challenging line of work. The constant demands, persistent changes, and labor involved can be overwhelming. While business management isn’t my forte, my deep purpose to help and feed people drives me forward. Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning journey, and I’ve learned to accept that mastering everything is impossible. Embracing this reality has allowed me to be kinder to myself and reduce self-doubt.

Despite the challenges, this venture has significantly boosted my confidence, especially when stepping out of my comfort zone. Appearing on my first media podcast interview, at the request of my business coach, was nerve-wracking, but it resulted in a surge of pride and increased orders. Sharing my story, including the struggles, is challenging, but I’ve realized its potential to inspire others. Making a meaningful impact on others is what drives me forward — we should all aspire to that.

In my own work I usually encourage my clients to ask for support before they embark on something new. How did you create your support system before you moved to your new chapter?

I must confess that, initially, I did not actively seek support or assemble a team of mentors before embarking on this new chapter. My only support was my husband. However, as we encountered obstacles and realized that our progress had hit a wall, I had a wake-up call. It became clear that we could only go so far on our own.

Recognizing the need for a more structured support system, I took immediate action. I hired a business coach and joined a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. This community not only provides valuable insights and market research but also holds me accountable to grow, learn, and implement necessary changes. The experience has been transformative, and I now strongly encourage everyone to establish these support structures before building their own ventures.

Starting a new chapter usually means getting out of your comfort zone, how did you do that? Can you share a story or example of that?

This new chapter has significantly strengthened my confidence, unlike any other experience. Even appearing on my first media podcast interview was a nerve-wracking challenge until my coach encouraged me. She explained that people need to hear about how I can help them, but they won’t unless I push myself to step out of my comfort zone. Once I did, a sense of pride surged through me, and orders started pouring in. Sharing my story, including the struggles, is a bit challenging for me. However, I’ve come to understand that these narratives can help others. That’s the essence of making a meaningful impact on others — we should all strive for that.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started” and why?

Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey has been a rollercoaster of lessons, and there are five key insights I wish someone had shared with me earlier:

1. Entrepreneurship is hard: In the initial phases, I underestimated the sheer magnitude of the challenges and time commitment required to build and sustain a successful business, especially at my age, now 73. The demands of wearing multiple hats, from recipe development to marketing, proved more exhaustive than I could have imagined.
2. Don’t Assume Demand Automatically Follows After Launch: The assumption that an innovative product automatically translates to eager customers was a naive perspective. Despite the uniqueness of our offerings, it takes strategic marketing, constant engagement, and building trust to establish a customer base. I wish someone would have told me to have more realistic expectations.
3. Navigating the Food Business Is an Uphill Battle: This is a big one. If someone told me how challenging the food industry is, I think I would have reconsidered this venture at the magnitude that I took on. This industry is demanding. It’s a delicate balance between flavor, health considerations, and compliance. Learning the ropes of sourcing, production, and distribution, while meeting rigorous standards, was a steep learning curve — one that often felt like an uphill battle.
4. Regulations Are Not Tailored for Small Businesses: Navigating regulations designed for large-scale food manufacturers posed a significant hurdle for a small business like ours. The intricacies of compliance were more nuanced and challenging, requiring extra effort to ensure our operations adhered to industry standards. The updates and health department changes are constant, taking a lot of time away from implementing other tasks necessary to be successful. I should have met with food industry experts to get a reality check.
5. Resistance to Help Is Common: I underscored the necessity of hiring others in areas that are not my forte, including social media, email marketing, branding, and website management. I had to turn this over to an expert so I could stay in my lane and produce the product. I wish someone like a business coach emphasized that successful entrepreneurship is more complex than it looks with many moving parts. You can never build a successful business without help and coaching. I made mistakes that could have been avoided and I spent more time, money, and resources in the long run.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Feeding the hungry. If I could inspire a movement, it would center around eradicating hunger and fostering compassion. The movement would aim to ensure that no one, especially children, goes to bed hungry. It would involve dismantling the judgments associated with seeking assistance, particularly in the realm of food stamps, and promoting a collective responsibility to address the basic need for nourishment.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)

Connecting with influential figures in the health and wellness community, such as nutritionist Joy Bauer, could help validate the nutritional benefits of healthy desserts and educate consumers on their role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

They can go to my website: https://theunsweetenedtooth.com/

And social platforms: https://www.facebook.com/theunsweetenedtooth/

https://www.instagram.com/theunsweetenedtooth/

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!