When a longtime friend asked Kurt and Shawn Dehner to take over The Sisters Sweet Shoppe bakery in Dublin, they decided to step up to the challenge.
After 41 years of marriage and raising four children, the couple had retired – until they jumped right back into work. Running a business is completely new for Shawn, who never worked outside of the home during their marriage. Kurt chose to transition from the business he was running for the opportunity to work with his wife.
“This is a dream come true,” Kurt says. “I get to spend the day with my best friend.”
Shawn adapted to 10 hour workdays, and her baking skills helped her whip up cookies for the store.
“I had perfected so many recipes over the years,” Shawn says. “I never thought I would get to share them with the public.”
Both Kurt and Shawn say they are excited to keep their minds active. And, in the midst of running a new business, the Dehners are opening a brand new Sweet Shoppe in Historic Dublin in February.
“Though many of our friends are retiring, studies show that working can delay the onset of agerelated disease like dementia, so I am looking forward to learning new things in my later years,” Kurt says.
For Shawn, the whole process has been one big learning experience.
“From the computers to running a business, it was all new,” she says. “I had to learn things I never thought I would.”
The Dehners are excited about their future and recommend all seniors stay active any way they can.
“It is important to socialize with people outside of your age group,” Kurt says. “Our favorite part of the day is when children come into the shop with their parents.”
The grandparents of nine say their children are happy to see them thriving at this age.
“We are learning to balance family and business,” Shawn says. “We started taking off on Mondays to catch up with everyone.”
