We were lucky to catch up with Lynette Jefferies recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynette, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Dessert is an Expression of Gratitude, and My Desserts Diva’s southern inspired desserts translates that very well. The other piece of the pie is gratitude, this keeps me going and inspiration is what holds it all
together. I have been baking for over twenty years, and I believe that a fabulous dessert should not only be about presentation, but it should also taste great and compel the consumer to return repeatedly.
Southern charm is not just a label or a splash of simplicity, it is a combination of class and grace and for me, it describes her approach to baking.
Rebranded and established in 2016, My Desserts Diva LLC became an artisan baking company focusing on small batch baking, using farm to table fresh products, and globally sourced ingredients in each gourmet creation. Resulting in decadent handcrafted and quality desserts for any and every occasion. I am now focused and dedicated in sharing my small batch desserts and wisdom in kitchens all around the world. Understanding that I have captured a new audience of people who want to learn how and what I am producing in the kitchen, I connect with my clientele through various mediums.
This is the hallmark of My Desserts Diva, great tasting sweet and savory treats combined with love and personal exchange. I feel, “as long as these are the base ingredients, the desserts will continue to hit the mark.” I also believe that my gourmet desserts ensure that each dining experience will stimulate customers’ taste buds so they will return repeatedly to consume baked goods from My Desserts Diva.
I am a native of Richmond, VA, and was raised in Willingboro, NJ. From an incredibly early age, I fell in love with baked goods and the luscious aromas that filled the air. My passion for baking was initially inspired during summer vacations spent in North Carolina visiting my Aunt Lizzie. Each summer I spent with my aunt left me increasingly in love with sweets and the practice of baking.
It was meant for me to learn and perfect baking simple yet classic southern-style desserts with a twist that stir up a nostalgic energy. My approach to baking blends together and recipe development are my Southern roots and my ability to create mouthwatering, moist, and delicious, sweet treats.
In 2006 I founded the dessert company, JBEL’s Tastries, which is an acronym for my three beautiful daughters Jasmine, Bryanna, Estasia and myself (Lynette). Always evolving, I have since taken my vision to the next level as the company transitioned into our registered trademarked company, My Desserts Diva®.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that entrepreneurship was supposed to look a particular way to be deemed successful. What I mean by that is that no two businesses are the same. Plan Proceed and Execute. Do what works for you, not what doesn’t. Oh and scaling your business is oh so important. I use to think the more dessert options I offered the more people would gravitate to ordering. Not necessarily true, especially for a small brand focusing and highlighting boutique offerings.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot multiple times. The onset of COVID initiated these transitions. I’ve been in three physical locations since 2020. Currently I’ve just relocated into my 4th popup shop location. I’m hoping to be in this space long term. I love the area and it fits my brand perfectly!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mydessertsdiva.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mydessertsdiva?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mydessertsdiva?mibextid=LQQJ4d