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

Hi RITA, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I always brought desserts to any family function…From holiday dinners to card parties. The first item I ever created (and ever sold) were my Cheesecake Brownies. That was my regular (successful bake) and I would often bring.

Well, my uncle’s girlfriend commented, more than once, “you should sell these”. Often when we love something we’re eating, we’ll take a bite and then look lovingly at the item…That’s always when she’d say that. I always laughed and say, yeah right. I remember my response one of those times was, who would buy these. That particular night when we got home I remember standing in the center of the kitchen, looking up at the ceiling and I thought to myself, why not.

That was the start of it all.

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.

I am a native Michigander who’s the mother of two phenomenal human beings…A son and a daughter. I’ve always had a spirit of entrepreneurship but didn’t realized that until much later in life. I moved to Texas 10 years ago, but I’ll always be a Michigander through and through.

My dessert business was originally named Desserts Galore by Rita, LLC, but was changed a few years back to La Crème Bakes, LLC. The gist of my creative stance is to create desserts you’ve never seen, heard of or tasted, ever. I make unique desserts. Probably 85% of my desserts I’ve created in my mind. I carry some dessert staples, like a phenomenal German Chocolate Cake and mouth-melting Pound Cake, but most everything else I’ve thought of in my mind. The goal of my menu is to create decadent items you will not find on the next corner at the next bakery.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I am a fanatic when it comes to customer service. I strongly believe that great customer service has rushed to become a thing of the past. It is a massive pet peeve of mine to receive less than exemplary customer care. I, like most people, can recall getting into a checkout line and the cashier rings up your items and just looks at you until you either hand them the cash or swipe your card. Not having had one verbal interaction. Not a “hello”, not a “thank you”…nothing. I have literally suggested to both the cashier and/or managers, next time you should consider greeting the customer and thanking them for choosing your location.

With that being said, it is my number one goal and purpose to provide the best customer care experience each person will remember. Whether I’m communicating with someone via text or on a voice to voice call I express my thanks to them simply for the consideration of having La Crème Bakes, LLC fulfill their baked good needs. They’re thanked from the initial contact to the day of delivery. In addition each customer is followed up with 24-48 hours after the deliver of the baked goods and asking for their honest feedback. All communications are proper and professional.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’m struggling slightly with this question because I’m not positive of how resilient I am. I bounce back quicker than I did years ago, but because I haven’t reached nearly the level I’d like to, I don’t know if I’d be considered resilient. I’ve been working at this business since my 28 year old son was a toddler and I’m not nearly as successful as I’d like to be. I’ve gone through an enormous amount of disappointment and frustration trying all types of marketing ideas (that I can afford), with little results.

I know from a multitude of people that I make desserts that are loved and referred to others time after time, but I haven’t achieved the level of success that I desire. I’ve heard from people who have actually said, you should be a millionaire with what you make. I wholeheartedly agree because the product is not mediocre. That doesn’t sound very modest, does it?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LaCremeBakes.com
• Instagram: @lacremebakes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacremebakes/