Elly Ross

Elly Ross, co-founder of lil sweet treat, opened her dream candy shop in New York as a love letter to travel, design, and the global treats that spark joy. She took a risk to follow this joy and it has paid off - in the sweetest (and viral) dividends.

Tell us a bit about yourself and lil sweet treat! How did the candy store come to be?

My name is Elly Ross and I am the co-founder of lil sweet treat! LST is a curation of the best of the best sweets from around the world and was directly influenced from my love of travel and treats. I loved finding and sharing the most unique treats and wanted to share that with a larger community. And that is how the community of candy connoisseurs began!

How has your travel experience influenced the candy you sell?

Travel absolutely influences the candy available at lil sweet treat. It’s how we discover the small, family-run artisans whose passion for making gummies and chocolates has been passed down through generations. It’s also how we discover new textures and flavors that may not be so common in the US!

What has been the proudest moment for you in your career?

Opening lil sweet treat is the proudest moment of my career. I immigrated to the US when I was young and grew up believing I should take the stable path. I studied computer science and built a career at some of the biggest tech companies in the world. But the conviction I felt about the joy Lil Sweet Treat could bring to people was stronger than the fear of leaving stability behind. Taking the risk to open lil sweet treat has been the most rewarding decision I’ve made, and it continues to fill me with pride every day.

You just opened a new location in the East Village - what is next for lil sweet treat?

Lil sweet treat is all about bringing joy and excitement to our candy connoisseurs. We’re excited to be launching our own line of custom gummies that have been directly inspired by what our community tells us. This has been a labor of love and I’m so excited to be able to share this very soon!!

Who are the women that inspire you?

My mom is one of my greatest inspirations. She’s the strongest person I know, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. Even when we had nothing, she found a way to give us everything, making countless sacrifices along the way. I’ve learned so much from her and she continues to inspire me every day.

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is a mixture of chic and comfy – elevated pieces that feel effortless are my go to. I also love incorporating color into my outfits and having fun with it!

If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

I would definitely be lil sweet treat yellow! I’m a warm, and bright person, I love how yellow brings a sense of joy wherever it is.

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