We recently connected with Onifade R E Colbert Iii and have shared our conversation below.
Onifade R E, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
At Onifade’s Bakery and Cookie Co., we take pride in diverging from the industry standard by embracing a strong community-centered approach to everything we do. One way we do this is through our “Cook Around and Find Out” events, where we invite customers into the kitchen to learn, experiment, and experience the baking process hands-on. Unlike many bakeries that keep their recipes and techniques behind closed doors, we believe in sharing our knowledge with the community to build lasting connections and inspire creativity.
One memorable story that captures why this matters involved a local family who attended one of our events last fall. Their son, a budding young baker, was curious about how to make a perfect sourdough loaf. After the event, he came back to the bakery every weekend, and now, he’s working on perfecting his own family recipe. These connections go beyond customer relationships; they create lasting memories and help foster the next generation of bakers.
For us, this difference sets us apart in the industry because we’re not just about selling baked goods—we’re about cultivating a sense of belonging and giving our customers the tools to bring the joy of baking into their own homes. It’s this sense of ownership and participation that makes Onifade’s Bakery more than just a business; it’s a community hub.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
At just six years old, I started Onifade’s Bakery and Cookie Co., and what began as a simple love for baking has grown into a thriving business that serves and supports our community. We specialize in artisan cakes, cookies, and baked goods for all occasions, offering everything from seasonal favorites to custom creations for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. What makes us unique is how we prioritize community involvement and creativity, not just through our food but also through events like our “Cook Around and Find Out” workshops, where we invite customers to learn baking hands-on.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be featured in major outlets like Oklahoma Magazine, SolCal, The Oklahoma Magazine, podcasts, and documentaries that highlight our journey. Our work has even been recognized by T-Mobile, where I was featured in a mural as a North Tulsa leader. To date, we’ve served over 50,000 people and catered events of all sizes, earning multiple awards along the way. But beyond these accomplishments, I take the most pride in our community initiatives.
One of my proudest achievements is launching Royal Individuals, where I teach others the art of business. It’s more than just about baking; it’s about giving back and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, I’ve had the opportunity to help others build and grow their own businesses, sharing the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
What I want people to know about Onifade’s Bakery is that we’re not just here to make great baked goods—we’re here to make a difference. Whether through our involvement in documentaries, podcasts, or local initiatives, we’re dedicated to creating a positive impact on our community and helping others achieve their dreams.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story that truly captures our resilience is when a dream come true quickly turned into our worst nightmare. We had finally secured a physical location for Onifade’s Bakery and Cookie Co.—something we had poured our hearts into for years. But soon after, issues with the space left us not only without a place to operate the bakery but also without a home to lay our heads. It was one of the most difficult times we’ve ever faced. We were essentially homeless, trying to keep the business alive while figuring out where we would live.
The hardest part was that no one but our closest family knew what was going on. We didn’t want our struggles to affect our customers, so we kept smiling and delivering the same high-quality service we’re known for, all while battling behind the scenes to survive. It felt like everything we had built was on the verge of collapsing, but instead of giving up, we fought back. We adapted, we pivoted, and most importantly, we kept pushing forward.
That experience taught us invaluable lessons about perseverance, flexibility, and faith. We learned to operate in new ways, to innovate, and to find strength in the face of adversity. That period didn’t break us; it made us stronger, and it pushed us to grow the business even further than before.
Today, we’re still standing, still smiling, and still serving our community with the same passion we had from the beginning. That season of struggle built the resilience that defines us, and we’re proud to say we’re stronger for it.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My cofounder and business partner is actually my mom—my biggest cheerleader and my rock from day one. She’s the reason I never quit, no matter how hard things got. Over the years, whenever I’d get frustrated or overwhelmed, she’d ask me, “Are we done?” And I’d always respond, “No, what do you mean?!” 😆 She always knew how to push me just enough to keep going, and I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today without her.
One of the most valuable lessons she taught me is something that’s become a core belief in how I run the business: “Keep your feelings out of your business.” She always stressed the importance of making clear, level-headed decisions, without letting emotions cloud my judgment. That advice has been priceless. It doesn’t mean I don’t have heart in what I do—quite the opposite. Everything we do at Onifade’s Bakery is sprinkled with love and passion. But when it comes to making the tough calls, my mom’s wisdom has helped me stay grounded and focused.
She’s been my inspiration since day one, and it’s so cool to see how far we’ve come together. It’s the love we put into every cake, cookie, and event that makes the magic happen, but it’s her guidance that keeps me on track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Onifadescookieco.com
- Instagram: @onifadescookieco
- Facebook: @onifadescookieco
Image Credits
Ifaseyi Amusan
Onifade’s Bakery and Cookie Co 🍪 LLC.