We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Traneycia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Traneycia below.

Traneycia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Honestly, I wasn’t anticipating starting an online business when I got the idea. I was more so planning for the future. I have wanted to share my baking with people since I was about 10 years old. I’m turning 20 now, so for this to spring up on me the way that it did, I was taken aback. I was sitting in my room one day, doom-scrolling on TikTok. And then instantaneously, I realized how fun it would be to organize my aesthetic for my future in-person bakery.

First, I go into my notes app and begin drawing out potential business names. Somehow I land on Cherry, 1979. I thought about cherry pies and vintage cherry cakes from the 1970s; the 70s being my favorite decade. I just knew I had to incorporate the two things into my brand. Then I go into Pinterest and create a board to gather inspiration. The initial idea was to open up a bakery with a book/record store on the second story. I wanted the environment to feel like the disco. Like you were walking into the year 1979. I wanted to play music from that year throughout the place as well. I went and created a menu and left it at that—until it dawned on me that I didn’t have to wait.

I knew it would be a while before I got to open up an actual company. Once I understood that I could do all of this online, I practically freaked out. As someone with ADHD, this was all extremely impulsive. I didn’t give myself enough time to think, I just went ahead and created a website and started purchasing materials. I pitched the idea to my family and they were all excited and supportive. People started buying and my childhood dreams flashed before my eyes.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in a town called Tyler, located in East Texas. I lived on the countryside with my parents and grandparents most of my life. This city may not have a ton to offer, but it sure is home. My family made this place magical and although I had always wanted to travel further, I knew nothing could compare to the beauty that is Tyler. We celebrated the Fourth of July and Juneteenth every year. I always looked forward to it. We had the best barbecues and would go to trail rides. Visiting the county fair was my favorite pastime. Maybe I’m romanticizing it a bit, but those summers spent with my grandparents and visiting distant cousins was all the rage when I was younger.

Growing up, I knew I was different than other kids. In school, I was belittled, antagonized, and made to feel ashamed of things I couldn’t help, such as certain facial features. Instead of watching cartoons 24/7, I was more interested in watching The Pioneer Woman on Food Network. My eyes were glued to the screen whenever her show or Cupcake Wars would come on. Often times, I would go into the kitchen and get into things I definitely shouldn’t have with my younger brother, Kristian. I wanted to be just like the cooks I saw on television and youtube.

One year, my elementary school held something like a career fair. We got to dress up as the people we aspired to be. I remember firefighters and police showing up to talk to us. I also remember my mom staying up that night to design the cutest apron for me I ever did see. I had thought about it before, but I knew for sure I was going to become a baker after that day.

Everything changed after I declared I wanted to be a writer instead at the age of fourteen. Since then, I have been writing all sorts of short stories and poems. For a long time, I dreamt of being a writer with the full intention of starting a bakery after a successful career as an author. Now, it’s like I’m pursuing both passions at once. I thought I would have to pick one. Everyone around me was always good at one thing and stuck with it. I have never ever dreamed of sticking to just one thing. My potential reaches far beyond one skill. I can do many things, some things I might be unaware of.

In the past couple months, I have learned so many things about cookies alone. However, before I started my business, cookies were the one thing I thought I had no talent in. Each time I baked store bought cookies, they would come out overcooked without failure. Now, I understand the complex science behind baking them from scratch. They’re more complicated than you’d think.

Impulsively opening this business has taught me incredibly useful and valuable skills. With time, I can only improve, and hopefully in the future I will become a master at baking other pastries. A girl can dream, I’ll tell you that.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the first days of fulfilling several large orders was tough for me. Anything that could have gone wrong—did. I went into the kitchen believing this time would be like the previous one, which was effortless before. But unfortunately, we all have our off days, including myself.

I ruined recipes, baked cookies for too long, had to throw so many away due to mis-measuring ingredients. I even ended up giving myself 1st degree burns from making homemade caramel sauce. Overall, I overworked myself. I didn’t take one break, not even after the small burns on my fingers. I aimed to do my best for my customers and I wanted to have their orders prepared as quickly as humanly possible.

I ended up breaking down and crying that night. I felt like a complete failure. I started to wonder if this was the job for me. I wondered if I was going down the right path. My mother had to remind me that I was my own boss now. I could take as many breaks as needed. She told me I could even nap if necessary. I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize that. My job can be much longer than a 9-5; breaks are extremely crucial. I made a common mistake many perfectionists do—I worked too hard without rest.

That day I absolutely felt like quitting. I knew in the back of my head that there would be better days, but I couldn’t help but feel like I wasn’t talented enough to do what I dreamed about. Of course, I got some rest that night and decided that from that point forward, I would take breaks and begin work when I felt like it. As long as my customers were getting quality cookies on time, how long I worked a day didn’t matter.

Today, I remain resilient and motivated to successfully accomplish my goals.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Keeping up with clients is exceptionally important. Without them, there is no you. I have my email, phone number, and website chat box open and readily available at all times. I try to answer my customers promptly to help them feel like a priority; because they are.

I foster loyalty by providing good value and customer service. Sometimes, I include free cookies when I have leftover dough. It’s the little things that make an experience worth having. I want my customers to have the best experience with Cherry, 1979. I always strive to leave a good impression. It’s not just a bakery—It’s a retro revolution.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cherry1979.today
• Instagram: @cherry1970s @traneycia @888neycia
• Yelp: Cherry, 1979
• Other: TikTok – cherry1970s