We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natalie Misri. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natalie below.
Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The story behind The Sweet Vegan Bakery is deeply personal to me. It all began during a difficult period in my life. While coinciding with the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. In an effort to find the answer to a cure alongside medicinal practices, I discovered that a whole food plant based vegan diet has the ability to heal the body for those with and without diseases. Through this exploration, I uncovered a remarkable revelation: Food possesses the remarkable ability to serve as medicine, harboring the power to promote healing and restoration. Inspired by this knowledge, I embarked on a profound personal transformation, adopting a whole food plant-based vegan lifestyle.
This challenging time opened my eyes to health and nutrition in a completely different light. Growing up eating a standard American diet, I had never considered the possibility of transforming my own eating habits into a whole food plant-based lifestyle.
Baking had always been a source of joy for me, and even amidst that difficult period, I saw it as an opportunity to reinvent the recipes I had loved making before adopting my new eating habits. I was constantly baking in the kitchen and making my vegan desserts for my mom when she was going through treatment in an attempt to ease her pain and for her to know that there can be satisfaction in the little things, even in an oil free and whole food plant based carrot cake.
However, my decision to go vegan was not solely driven by my moms illness. It was a choice I made because I had never felt better in my life. I had lost weight, my skin cleared up, my blood work was impeccable, and I had increased energy.
There were no readily available options in stores or bakeries for plant-based vegan sweets and catering that offered healthy ingredients and aligned with our dietary preferences. So my desserts grew popular within my family, and then my neighbors, and soon enough they began to grow in popularity. Before I knew it, I was receiving orders before I even had my website developed. The benefits of being vegan became evident, and my friends and family recognized my talent in the unique industry of recipe development and creating delicious vegan desserts. They constantly told me that “vegan never tasted so good” or “is this really vegan?”. Witnessing the satisfaction on their faces as they enjoyed my treats brought me immense joy and a sense of fulfillment.
During the pandemic, I also wanted to express gratitude and give back to the community. I donated desserts to medical professionals on the frontline, simply as a way to thank them and contribute in my own small way. As word spread about the delicious vegan treats I made, the bakery gained popularity, becoming a local favorite. This unexpected success transformed into a business that I am incredibly passionate about and immensely grateful for. The mission of The Sweet Vegan Bakery goes beyond serving the community and supporting those who are sick; it is about providing an avenue for people to pursue the lifestyle they desire while not sacrificing flavor but also being able to enjoy decadent plant-based desserts as well. Each creation is crafted with love, and a percentage of the proceeds are donated to supporting breast cancer organizations, a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted motivation behind The Sweet Vegan Bakery.
At The Sweet Vegan Bakery, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to indulge in the highest quality, organic, and beautifully decorated desserts, regardless of their dietary needs. That’s why we have curated a diverse selection of treats that cater to various dietary requirements. On our website, each dessert is accompanied by a detailed description, ensuring that those with specific allergies or intolerances can easily identify the options that suit them best. Whether you have a gluten intolerance, nut allergies, don’t consume oil, or are conscious of your sugar intake, we have delectable treats specially crafted to cater to your needs. But we don’t stop there! We also cater for large parties, events, and weddings. Moreover, we provide a wide array of desserts that cater to a broader audience, ensuring that everyone can find something delightful to enjoy. We believe in creating an inclusive space where everyone can savor the sweet moments and share the joy of our irresistible treats while still keeping it vegan.
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?
My name is Natalie Misri and I am the founder of The Sweet Vegan Bakery. My journey into the world of baking and a whole food plant-based lifestyle stems back to the year 2020. After receiving the devastating news that my mom was sick with an aggressive form of breast cancer during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was determined to explore alternative avenues of healing and discovered the transformative power of a plant-based vegan diet. I have always enjoyed learning about health and nutrition, but I was especially intrigued with its healing qualities. Unable to find a store or bakery offering vegan, plant-based sweets, I took matters into my own hands and began baking my own delectable treats.
This revelation sparked a profound personal transformation, inspiring me to adopt a plant-based lifestyle and embark on a mission to share the joy and healing potential of vegan desserts with others, especially after seeing what it did to my mom who is now in remission.
Throughout that difficult time however, baking was an outlet for me. It was something I have always enjoyed and after transforming my old recipes to fit my new way of eating, I discovered that I had a talent in a unique industry.
At The Sweet Vegan Bakery, we specialize in crafting organic, delectable, plant-based desserts that not only tantalize taste buds but also promote health and well-being. We understand the importance of catering to diverse dietary needs, which is why our menu offers options for those with and without specific dietary requirements. Each dessert on our website is accompanied by detailed descriptions, allowing individuals with allergies or intolerances to easily identify treats that suit their needs. We cater to gluten intolerances, nut allergies, and provide options for those mindful of their sugar intake. Additionally, we offer a wide array of desserts that can be enjoyed by everyone, ensuring inclusivity and the ability for all to indulge in our sweet treats. Additionally, we are proud to offer catering services for events and weddings, bringing the deliciousness of The Sweet Vegan Bakery to your special occasions.
As someone who comes from a very big Middle Eastern Christian family, we constantly have gatherings. We would always have food and dessert for the vegans and the non vegans. The most surprising thing is that the vegan food and desserts would get eaten more than the non vegan desserts.
What sets The Sweet Vegan Bakery apart is our commitment to creating exceptional desserts that embody both exquisite taste, nourishing ingredients, but also are aesthetically beautiful. Our recipes are carefully crafted to showcase the versatility of plant-based ingredients, proving that vegan treats can be just as decadent and satisfying as their traditional counterparts without having to sacrifice taste, flavor, and the visual appeal. We take pride in sourcing high-quality, whole food, organic ingredients to ensure our desserts not only delight the senses but also provide a healthier alternative and pleasing to the eye. We offer products for those who do not eat gluten, sugar, oil, and nuts, while also offering products that do.
Our ultimate goal is to bring joy, comfort, and a sense of The Sweet Vegan through our desserts. Whether it’s sharing a treat with a sick loved one, gathering with friends and family, or simply finding comfort during times of isolation, we believe that our desserts have the power to create meaningful connections and moments of happiness. We also believe in giving back to the community, and a portion of our proceeds is donated to breast cancer organizations, reflecting our commitment to making a positive impact.
What I am most proud of is the ability to combine my passion for baking with my desire to promote health and awareness. Witnessing the satisfaction on the faces of those who enjoy our treats brings me immense joy and fulfillment. I am proud to have built a brand that not only provides delicious vegan desserts but also serves as a platform for raising awareness about the healing potential of plant-based eating.
The Sweet Vegan Bakery is more than just a bakery—it is a testament to the power of food as medicine and the ability of desserts to bring people together. Any child, adult, or elderly person will love our treats. Our bakery is not just for those with dietary needs who now are able to have dessert without compromising their health, but it is for anyone to enjoy with no restriction necessary. We provide delicious, plant-based treats that cater to various dietary needs, while also offering options that can be enjoyed by all. Our commitment to quality, freshness, preservative free and health are what sets us apart, and we invite potential clients, followers, and fans to join us on this delightful journey of taste, health, and nutrition because “Vegan Never Tasted so Good.”
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for building my clientele has been a combination of social media presence, word of mouth, and leveraging platforms such as Tik Tok. By actively engaging with my audience on social media, sharing enticing visuals of my delectable vegan desserts, recipes and providing valuable content related to plant-based living, I have been able to create a strong online presence and attract a dedicated following.
Word of mouth has especially played a significant role in expanding my clientele. Satisfied customers who have experienced the exceptional taste and quality of my desserts have been enthusiastic in recommending The Sweet Vegan Bakery to their friends, family, and colleagues. This organic and authentic form of marketing has been instrumental in reaching new customers and building trust within the community.
While my current sales have been primarily local to Orange County, I have aspirations to expand my reach in the future. I am actively working towards developing the infrastructure to ship my desserts nationwide, which will enable me to help more people discover the joy of indulging in plant-based treats without sacrificing taste. By offering nationwide shipping, I aim to spread the message that one can enjoy delicious desserts while still prioritizing their health and well-being.
Most of all, my biggest strategy is remaining personable and connecting with my customers, providing amazing customer service and delicious sweet treats for everyone to enjoy. I take pride in my customer satisfaction and truly value them. I am so grateful for everything that has transpired and by staying true to my mission of providing delectable, healthy, and plant-based desserts, I am confident in the continued growth of The Sweet Vegan Bakery and the opportunity to touch the lives of more people across the nation. The Sweet Vegan Bakery and I hope to hear from you soon and I can’t wait to hear you say “Is this really vegan?” because yes it is!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One valuable lesson I had to unlearn along my journey with The Sweet Vegan Bakery was to not let the negative opinions, misconceptions, and doubts of others dictate my path. In the early stages of building my business, I encountered skepticism and discouragement from people who doubted the quality and potential success of my vegan desserts. Many dismissed the idea, asserting that it wouldn’t be well-received or profitable. However, I refused to let those voices define my path.
As I persevered and continued to pour my passion into every aspect of the bakery, I witnessed a different reality unfold. People started to embrace and support The Sweet Vegan Bakery, eagerly buying and placing orders for our delectable treats. My customers have found that my desserts make them feel good, that they are satisfying, delicious, satiating, and beautifully crafted. This positive response served as a powerful reminder that following my passion and intuition was the right choice.
This experience taught me the importance of trusting my own vision and inner calling, even when faced with skepticism or negativity. It reinforced the notion that I am not merely a business owner or baker, but also a teacher and influencer in promoting a whole food plant-based lifestyle and that there is no reason to give up dessert when there are amazing options offered through my bakery. The Sweet Vegan Bakery became more than just a business; it became a platform to educate and inspire others about the joys and benefits of vegan desserts.
Ultimately, this lesson taught me to tune out the naysayers and focus on the positive impact I am making. It reminded me to stay true to my passion, persevere through challenges, and trust in my own abilities. The journey with The Sweet Vegan Bakery has reaffirmed that sometimes the greatest accomplishments come from disregarding negativity and pursuing what truly sets your soul on fire. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesweetveganbakery.com
- Instagram: @thesweetveganbakery
- Facebook: @thesweetveganbakery
- Twitter: @thesweetvegann
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzC60su6XAQF_9LE4jmP2hg