We were lucky to catch up with DeLisa Leonard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, DeLisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My business formed out of depression. My depression stemmed from a combination of being broke and not being able to afford my daughter a birthday cake and failing to find a job after finishing cosmetology school. I wasn’t sitting in a storm and my husband pushed me to walk through it. So, I got in the kitchen. Thats where I seen my dad and aunt find peace, so I thought I’d give it a go. When I first started, it was just home made candied apples and caramel popcorn . I would make a few items and then take them to my cosmetology school and would sell out. I kept That up for a couple weeks and then received my first request for baked goods, a house warming cake to be exact. It looked awful, but was delicious. My main focus still remained apple though. I decorated them to match any theme and would ship them to different states. I didn’t plan on baking again, not outside of cupcakes. But my customers had a different plan. The next cake I ended up making was a 3D camera cake. It was an absolute show stopper. That gave me a completely different rush. I guess since I once couldn’t afford such a cake, it made me proud to know that I can note make them at an affordable price for others. I found that the demand for beautiful cakes that tasted great were in high demand in my area and there are not a lot of bakers that offered that at an affordable price. So I knew this was my post. My creativity set me a part and my customer service and quality of work kept me in business. My failure put me in a position to find my true calling, sweets. This year makes 9 years and I’m still as in love as I was the moment I made my first sale. Knowing that I found my ministry and that I would be able to be at home with my children gives me an extra level of excitement that I never thought of when I was doing hair. I can proudly stated that this was the best decision for me. Because even when I fall short our encounter a not so nice customer, I still wouldn’t trade this career for another.

DeLisa, 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?

Im a home based bakery owner, wife, and a stay at home mom from Violet, La. I was raised in my hometown by my amazing dad until the 6th grade. Then moved with my mom and was raised in the Calliope Projects in New Orleans, La until hurricane Katrina hit my sophomore year in high school. Joined JROTC at Killeen high school and it changed my life. So once I moved to Monroe, La I joined again. It gave me a discipline that I implement in my life and business. I’m currently located in Garland, Tx and known for my creative cakes and treats, especially my 3D cakes. My customers love my work, but brag on my flavors and customer service the most. I believe that my transparency, openness, and willingness to listen to my clients sets me apart from other bakers. I’m most proud of my growth and willingness to continue learning my craft. I think potential customers should know that I’m honest and ready to try anything. Like, I’ll seriously try to cake anything. I’m building up my content creations and love sharing tutorials on things that my customers/followers can do with their families in their own homes because family is the most important thing in my life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had To unlearn that the customer is always right. I say this because, truth be told they aren’t. But neither am I. If there is a problem, I acknowledge it. If there is something I’m at fault with, I accept accountability and do my best to find a solution. But when the customer is wrong, I maintain a level of understanding and openness and still try to find a solution even if no accountability is taken on their end. In most businesses, the good news may travel far, but unfortunately the negative travels even further. So I do my best to keep a calm in every situation.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

I met my husband/partner at Grambling State University when I was 18. Years later he’s became the holder of a degree in hotel and restaurant management and I started a bakery. Fast forward to today, he’s the manager of my business and of papadeux’s. His customer service and business ethics shaped the way I do business tremendously. I wouldn’t choose anyone else to do life or business with.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @yummyDTDs
• Facebook: Facebook.com/dtdssweetz
• Twitter: @DTDsSWEETZ
• Other: TikTok: DTDs Sweetz

Image Credits
All photos were taken on my cell phone by myself out my daughter, Toni Leonard.