Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanesha Watkins

Hi Tanesha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I started my business on July 14, 2014; this past July I celebrated 10 years! Wow …

The seed for my business was planted at my nephew’s first birthday when I made cupcakes for his party. Basic cupcakes. Maybe some sprinkles. I can’t even remember if they were home-made. But it became my thing. Each year for his birthday I would make his cupcakes or cake. As he got older his requests became bigger and more elaborate. Custom, if you will. I loved it. I loved the response that I got from the party guests – and him! I vividly remember once he and a group of his friends came to the table for seconds of the cake and I heard him say “My Tee Tee makes the BEST cakes.” I think my heart literally melted.

Here I am today, an accidental entrepreneur who has managed to get 10 years under her belt. In 2013, while I was laid off, I decided to give it a shot. I’d been taking some cake decorating classes at Micheal’s just for fun and decided to finally go to school when I learned about a program that would cover the costs in full! It felt like it was meant to be. While I was nearing the end of my Baking & Pastry Certification in 2014, I started my business as Tee Tee’s Sweets & Treats.

With a lot of self-learned knowledge from “YouTube University”, many cake artists I followed on social media and what I learned in school; I began building my business, pretty much learning as I went. I learned what I enjoyed doing, the things I didn’t enjoy that much, improved on things I struggled with, and while juggling a full-time job, life, and a full-time business; after 4 years I realized it was time to make some changes.

In 2018; I decided it was time to rebrand and scale down my menu. I created an LLC, Tee Tee’s Sweets, and revamped my branding to what it is today. I realized that my business is really a living breathing thing that grows and changes with me and the world around me. As I learned my boundaries, I put them into place. As I saw things that no longer worked for me, I took them away.

In 2023, I decided to step out on faith and give my business the attention that I’d been giving to previous employers. April 1, 2023, was my first day working solely in my business. Nothing to fall back on, no supplementary income; just me and my business. There have definitely been some scary times but it’s also been very rewarding to see me pour into my business the way that I have poured into all the places that I’ve worked in the past. And to watch my business flourish.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Oh no, not a smooth road at all; there’s been TONS of turbulence. I think the biggest part of my struggles has been financing and access to capital. Many banks won’t lend to small businesses; especially small businesses like mine. I have come across a few organizations who have supported me along the way.

I worked so long to have my business carry itself and it has; but not being able to pay myself a salary has always been a stressor. Limited capital also prevents me from hiring help which in some ways stifles my growth. Being a solopreneur means that I do everything; from taking orders, talking to customers, shopping, baking, cleaning, decorating, deliveries and everything else in between. While I am not afraid of hard work at all, carrying the full load is limiting. There’s no way you can give your best if you’re not at your best.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I specialize in custom baked goods; I call them “Sweet Centerpieces”. Say you’re having an event – wedding, birthday party, baby shower, etc. – you share with me the theme of your event, a little bit about the celebrant and I personalize your cake or cookies or cupcakes into edible pieces of art.

I’m most proud of building relationships with my customers; that so many of my customers have become my clients. I’m proud that they welcome me back year after year to be a part of their celebrations.

I believe my customer service and my attentiveness sets me apart. I love what I do, I take pride in my work so I take every measure to always present something that my customers and clients talk about when they place their next order.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

Pivot! I realized that you can’t put all of your eggs in one cake lol. Seriously though; you have to diversify and be fluid. During Covid, celebrations were canceled and no one was having parties. I was so used to making large cakes for big celebrations I had to pivot and offer personal sized cakes. People from out of state began reaching out to me to send cakes and cookies to loved ones here in Illinois. I even remember doing a cake and cookies for a virtual baby shower. I drove all over the city delivering the cake to the mom-to-be and cookies to the other guests. It was exhausting but it was so much fun!

The pivot is even paying off now. I’ve learned that just because things look different or slow down, I can always pivot. Summer tends to slow down for me; but it’s allowed me to do more markets. Get out meet new people. Make new friends. Have new people try my bakes. The pivot is important. We can’t get so stuck in our ways that it causes us to fail.

Pricing:

• Our bakes are custom; so while we have starting prices; it will always be based on your custom dessert.
• Our cakes start at a minimum of $175
• Our cookies start at a minimum of $72 per dozen
• Our basic cupcakes (frosting only) are $40 per dozen and customs start at $50 per dozen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teeteessweets.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teetees_sweets/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeeTeesSweetsLLC/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tee-tees-sweets-oak-park

Image Credits

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