We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Iesha Wilkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Iesha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

At first, I was excited about family and friends joining and supporting my business. Then, as time progressed I learned that those aren’t the people who will support you the most. In, most cases your major support comes from strangers. It’s never appropriate for family and friends to expect free services. That support should come from a place of love and wanting to see someone you love succeed. Baking is my passion. Amongst other things lol. I won’t allow anyone to displace my passion. Based on their insecurities. At, some point it was overwhelming wanting support and family to see how great I am. But, them it turned into me wanting to prove to myself how great I am! I believe if you build it, they will come. My grandmother was my influence in baking and my dad. I wanted those two people to love my deserts and they do! My grandmother passed away being very proud of me. That is all I wanted. I love to bake and watch people forget their worries just for a second as they enjoy something sweet. Good goes around and around!

Iesha , 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?

My name is Iesha, I’m an almost 40 year old mother with 4 teenagers. I grew up watching my grandmother makes some of the most moist and delectable cakes. She made them without frosting and they were still amazing. I watched my dad get excited whenever my mom would back a chocolate cake and I wanted to make sure my cakes made him just as excited. I’ve been baking professionally since 2014 and it’s has been a journey. From southern recipes to modern designs I still growing and learning. I started out making cupcakes which, are still my favorite. Then graduated to custom cakes and other deserts clients may think of. My clients have helped me grow over the years. Pushing my to be great and uncomfortable at the same time. I think my taste sets me apart from other bakers. I’m sure we all feel that way. We all go the extra mile to make sure our deserts create the smile that makes our clients return for another order. It’s not always a peaceful or easy business but, I’m proud of myself for not giving up and continuing to grow and learn new things. I want each client to taste a desert made by me and feel the love I’ve put into each ingredient. My joy has always been spreading love one desert at a time..

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

Reputation is something that is extremely important in any business. You want your brand to stand as tall as you are. I pride myself on being able to build rapport with my clients.
They become family not just customers. I have many repeat clients whom have allowed me to apart of their children’s core memories. Being able to bake a special cake for each milestone in their loved one’s lives has been a blessing for me. I tear up thinking about the many candles being blown out on top of my creation during a loving memory in someone’s life. It’s a rewarding thing and provide much peace. I give my clients the safety of knowing that, I care about their order as much as they do.

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

This journey has been full of amazing and sometimes hurtful lessons. Most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to stick to my own passion. Not allowing others to determine what I want as a future for my business. Being able to navigate and find my fit in an over saturated market hasn’t always been easy but, I take breaks if needed and refuse to give up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: UniquesweetsbyIesha
• Facebook: UniquesweetsbyIesha LLC