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

Joy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Wow! Great questions! I would have to say, I learned on the job so to speak. Each cake/dessert order is unique (because each person ordering is unique). So they come with different requests. Those requests would lead me to practicing new skills. Many times, learning those skills would come through trial and error (self-taught) or by way of YouTube University. I do not believe there is a way to speed up the learning process. Sometimes we can not predict what is ahead of us…we can only face obstacles as they come. Time is a part of the learning process, whether you are self-taught or enrolled in formal education. For me, wanting to speed up the process means we are in a state of comparison. When we are focused on the next person, we tend to undermine our own process/journey. Much like each unique cake order, our journeys are unique. No need to speed up your process! You might think you are speeding it up but in actuality you are denying yourself of vital experiences. Why stunt your growth trying to keep up with other people/businesses? I do not have the energy to compare. I love LOVE collaboration! Comparison, nope! It takes up too much mental real-estate. “There is no traffic when you stay in your lane.”

I was the obstacle standing in my way of learning more. In the beginning, I would talk myself out of trying new skills/techniques. Thinking I was not good enough or that I needed formal training to learn something new. Just ridiculous! This is why I love seeing younger kids creating cake art! They do not have the baggage of negative self-talk holding them down. They run with their imagination and create! Just create! If it does not work, pivot! Learning to pivot is an essential skill for any area of life. Activating your pivoting skills allows for options and opportunities to materialize for your benefit and those you serve. Pivoting turns mistakes into lessons. It allows for successful detours when we encounter roadblocks. Create! Pivot! Create again! (This is my motivational talk to self. I am preaching to me right now.)

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Houston based Cake Artist specializing in custom, buttercream cakes for most occasions: baby showers, birthdays, weddings, engagements, and just because you want cake moments. My creativity is not limited to cakes. I am also blessed with the ability to provide dessert table options: cakesicles, cookies, and cake shooters. When I am feeling extra fancy, Cake Slabs sales are offered.

My hope and mission is to create edible art in such a way which uniquely highlights your event. You and your taste buds deserve to feel celebrated and loved. I truly want to create your custom/bespoke confections! Life is worth celebrating and I want to help you make it happen. Added bonus is you do not have to worry about transporting your delectable creations because we provide that for you. Just make sure you allow your mini indulgence creation -cake- to come to room temperature before enjoying!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Biggest reward for me is feedback from clients describing how they felt receiving their custom desserts. You do not have to take my word… I will share a recent review: “I need the world to know how soft, creamy, decadent, fluffy, and delicious this cake was. From the ordering process, to the additional items added and even the suggestion she provided me was extremely professional. Joy is kind and an expert in this craft. The attention to details, the care in delivery, the packaging, the communication. Everything was meticulous and the best money I’ve ever spent. I was so excited about my cake shooters…one bite and your eyes roll back. The taste is just making all of your taste buds pop. It was so good. People were about to leave the we cut the cake. Chile these people sat down and ate that cake. There was not one crumb left. The waitress asked for a slice…it was goooT.
I will be ordering again!!!”- Kerri

Secondly, I appreciate the journey through conception of design, to putting it on paper, to baking each cake layer, then making buttercream, to filling and stacking, to seeing all that labor produce a beautiful, finished cake/confectionary delights. It is so wonderful to know all that hard work is not in vain. Granted, there are a select few who will not appreciate the time and craftmanship invested in their order. It is okay. I am determined to focus on and place my energy in the ones who understand the artistry I provide.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I mentioned this before and will mention it again: I see each client and event as unique and worthy of celebrating. God intentionally created each of us to stand out…HE made us to be special! It is my desire to design and produce edible works of art that reflect each client’s uniqueness. Of course I can only accomplish this when clients offer artistic freedom (hint hint). I want my clients to be the star of their events- no matter the guest count.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.minidulgence.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minidulgence/

Image Credits
@minidulgence @jussfreshmedia