Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Colette Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Colette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I was 16, my journey to launching Colette’s Creations was sparked by a love for baking that had been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Baking wasn’t just a hobby; it was my love language. I started by baking for friends and family, and they were always my biggest fans. Over time, their encouragement grew stronger as they push me to turn my talent and passion into something bigger.

It wasn’t my first entrepreneurial venture, though. When I was just 10, I sold homemade pies to my neighbors during the holidays. That experience planted the seed of entrepreneurial spirit, but it wasn’t until I was older that the idea of starting my own business really took root. At 14, I transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, which naturally led me to explore vegan baking. By 16, I noticed a gap in the market—there weren’t many accessible and delicious vegan dessert options, even in the Bay Area, where veganism is widely embraced.

I was nervous to take the leap into starting my own business, but I knew deep down it was worth pursuing. In 2018, I started Colette’s Creations by creating a website and an Instagram account and quickly soon after, I found my first customers. What excited me most was the challenge: I wasn’t just making desserts; I was proving that vegan options could be just as delicious and satisfying as their non-vegan counterparts.

At first, my audience was mainly families and vegans, but as more people tried my desserts, they were mind-blown that they were vegan. Time and again, I heard customers say they thought my treats were even better than traditional, non-vegan options. Today, most of my customers aren’t even vegan, which is a testament to the quality of my products. That’s exactly what Colette’s Creations is about: redefining what vegan desserts can be and creating treats that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their dietary preferences.

Colette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Colette, the founder of Colette’s Creations (CC), a small artisan vegan dessert business based in Collegedale, Tennessee, though it all started in California in 2018. I’m a creative baker and a marketing senior with a passion for crafting vegan desserts that challenge the misconception that plant-based means sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. With a commitment to high-quality, exclusively plant-based ingredients, I aim to create desserts that are both extraordinary and accessible to everyone—whether vegan or not.

Colette’s Creations began as a response to the lack of tasty vegan desserts. I started baking vegan at 14 after transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and quickly noticed a gap in the market for desserts that didn’t feel like a compromise. By 16, I was inspired by my family and friends to turn my passion into a business. With a small website and Instagram account, I found my first customers.

What sets CC apart is our mission: to create vegan desserts that not only taste extraordinary but also challenge the notion that vegan means sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. I’ve heard countless times that my desserts are better than traditional alternatives, and nothing brings me more pride than shattering the stereotype that vegan desserts lack flavor or appeal.

Colette’s Creations specializes in:

– Custom Cakes: Tailored to your special occasions, I transform Pinterest dream cakes into reality, using exclusively vegan, high-quality ingredients.
– Seasonal Menus: Inspired by customer requests, seasonal flavors, and my own creativity, the menu is always evolving to keep things exciting.
– Catering: Offering desserts for weddings, parties, events, and more.
– Pop-Up Events: Connecting directly with the community, these events allow customers to buy my desserts in real life and see the passion that goes into every bite.

Cultural diversity plays a significant role in my approach to baking. Drawing from my Lebanese and Palestinian heritage, as well as my year living abroad in both Florence and Milan, I incorporate a variety of flavors and culinary traditions into my creations. Traveling and experiencing veganism in different cultures inspired many of the unique recipes I offer today.

Every recipe is crafted personally by me, with an emphasis on balancing unique flavor, beautiful presentation, and product uniqueness. Colette’s Creations is more than a business to me—it’s a reflection of my journey, creativity, and commitment to showing the world that vegan desserts can be truly extraordinary.

I’m incredibly proud of the accomplishments that Colette’s Creations has made, including winning first place in my university’s 2023 pitch competition and earning a $2,500 award.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Several factors have helped build my reputation within the market. First and foremost, the quality of the products I offer has played a huge role. By focusing on creating vegan desserts that are not only delicious but also rival non-vegan options, I’ve gained trust from both vegan and non-vegan customers. Many people are amazed by how flavorful my desserts are, often saying they can’t taste the difference from non-vegan alternatives.

My experience and exposure in pitch competitions and pop-up events have helped me gain credibility and recognition. Winning my university’s pitch competition and showcasing my desserts at events has provided visibility and demonstrated my commitment to excellence.

Additionally, my authenticity has been key to building trust with customers. I share the story behind my business, my passion for veganism, and my dedication to creating the best desserts possible. This genuine connection with my audience has helped foster loyalty and solidified my reputation.

Overall, it’s a combination of product quality, customer connection, authenticity, and consistent effort in promotion that has helped me establish a strong reputation.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A defining moment of resilience for me was participating in my university’s pitch competition in the fall of 2023. At that time, Colette’s Creations was still growing, and I had never pitched in front of such a large audience. Despite my nerves, I spent weeks preparing and balancing my business and studies.

When the day arrived, I felt the pressure, but as soon as I began sharing my story and mission, I found my confidence. I stayed focused on the fact that my vegan desserts were breaking stereotypes and offering something unique.

To my surprise, I won first place and a $2,500 prize! That experience proved to me that resilience, hard work, and belief in my vision could lead to success, even in moments of self-doubt.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://colettegrace02.wixsite.com/colettescreation
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettescreation/?hl=en

Image Credits

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