We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monique Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with monique below.

Alright, Monique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

I believe you don’t need a lot of money to start a successful business. What you truly need is drive, motivation, dedication, and good business sense. Of course, having a way to produce income is essential, but you can absolutely build and grow your business as you go. It’s about working smart, leveraging what you have, and being resourceful. I started with limited resources, but through persistence and continuous learning, I was able to expand. I’m proof that you don’t need deep pockets to make a dream happen.

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’m Monique Miller, and I’ve been in love with baking for over 13 years. What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and I knew I wanted to pursue it professionally. I enrolled in a professional baking & pastry course, where I had the chance to study under talented pastry chefs who taught me the balance of making desserts both beautiful and heavenly. I gained invaluable experience working as a pastry cook at R2L restaurant and later in the hotel industry at the Bellevue Hotel, but my dream was always to start my own business.

Today, I run Sweet Indulgence, where I specialize in creating custom cakes, delectable desserts, and unique treats for special events. What sets me apart is the combination of my formal pastry training and my unique decorating style. My goal is always to not only meet but exceed my clients’ expectations by making desserts that not only look incredible but taste amazing too.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come from humble beginnings, and I want my clients and followers to know that at Sweet Indulgence, we’re all about quality, creativity, and a personal touch. Whether it’s a custom cake, our famous banana pudding, or a new seasonal treat, we strive to make every bite unforgettable

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When it came to funding my business, I didn’t qualify for a large loan, so I had to get creative. I received one loan through Square for Business, which helped cover the initial downpayment to my leasing property agent. Beyond that, the business has been largely self-funded through profits, savings from my husband and me, and a $5,000 grant. It’s been a journey of careful budgeting, reinvesting in the business, and relying on our own resources to grow, but it’s made the success that much more meaningful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After moving into our space, we faced a lot of unexpected expenses, one of the biggest being the installation of a 3-basin sink required by health regulations. The installation cost us about $4,000, even after getting several quotes and going with someone within our budget. Unfortunately, we failed our first health inspection because the sink wasn’t installed properly. I remember feeling like things were falling apart and that I might be in over my head. It took me a few weeks to regroup and refocus on my goals. We ended up paying to have the sink reinstalled properly, and the second time around, we passed the inspection. That experience taught me a lot about resilience, patience, and the importance of never losing sight of the bigger picture, no matter how tough things get.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sweetindulgencecakes.com
• Instagram: sweet_indulgence215
• Facebook: sweetindulgence215
• Linkedin: sweet indulgence

Image Credits

Monique Miller