Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Buffham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Molly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Quality control is a challenge almost every entrepreneur has had to focus on when growing – any advice, stories or insight around how to best ensure quality is maintained as your business scales?
Without question, the most important aspect of my business we need in order to stay on top, is to have stand out employees. Employees that believe in the business and the concept like I do.
When I talk to potential Donutologists (our hosts and hostesses), I always tell them I can train you and educate you on the operation of the donut machine and you can learn how to set up and tear down our equipment. But the key piece to our success is something I can’t teach. It’s something that’s either in your or it’s not. What you need is an infectious personality and a drive to create the best experience in the room.
Molly, 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?
Donut Junkie gives you an event your guests will talk about for years. We make and serve hot, fresh mini donuts on site. Any event. Any size.
The mini donut machine itself causes a stir. My favorite review from a client said that our operation was, “a hoot.” I just love that word. Couldn’t be more accurate.
We elevate your typical donut experience by bringing our automatic mini donut machine to private parties. We offer stand out sugars like: Lemon, Maple, Strawberry and Apple Cider to name a few. Dips can add another layer to your action station.
Choose one of our themes to match your party. Personalize your event with stickered bags or a custom logo on our plexiglass.
Let your guests enjoy unlimited minis throughout the entire service.
We want to bring out the inner child in everyone. Forget the calorie counting. We want you to remember that comforting feeling of eating a donut because it tasted so darn good.
Have you ever had to pivot?
We started putting our business plan together when we lived in Seoul, South Korea. Military. That move was followed by our initial place of business, Tacoma, WA. Then…military. That move was followed by a move to Irvine, CA. Then…you guessed it…military. Our final move was to Houston, TX.
All that to say, we’ve moved Donut Junkie three times which kinda forces one to be flexible, resilient and motivated to make it work, 1. when so many factors are out of your control, and, 2. when you come into new markets.
Adaptability has been key in sustaining the business. What’s most exciting now is that we have officially planted our roots in The Woodlands, TX so we can finally start focusing on expansion.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I had just moved back from Los Angeles (where I made mini donuts on Venice Beach) and jumped back into college at the University of Minnesota. Continuing with my Theatre Major, I landed in a Voice and Diction class along with some gorgeous blue-eyed babe who had dropped out of Aerospace Engineering and wanted an easy A.
Every time we performed scenes together, the whole class assumed we had rehearsed tirelessly because we just, “clicked” and made it look so effortless. But I’ll be the first (but not necessarily the proudest) to admit that it was simply chemistry. We just got each other.
Now here we are, 21 years later. Married, two boys, three dogs, four fish, three snails and business partners. Currently eagerly waiting his return from a deployment.
He’s pretty awesome and we’re all pretty proud.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.donutjunkie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donut_junkie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonutJunkie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGP3HRuDacbe-g6g7xcaZA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/donut-junkie-conroe-7