Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhe’Keisha Ta’Vonia.
Rhe’Keisha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love with food began in my years of adolescence, coming from a family who loved to cook. However, BbyCks Cupcakery was not birthed until November 2011 and was strictly used as a means for me to love on people by way of food/desserts. For lack of better words, it was originally a hobby!
It wasn’t until 2013 that others began to recognize us publicly. We were contacted to participate in the Taste of Dallas ’13,’14, and ’15. I, Rhe’Keisha Ta’Vonia, was featured as a celebrity chef during the State Fair or Texas ’16 to demo our popular Texas Briskake “Brisket” Cupcake. The same year I was welcomed by concessions at the State Fair of Texas to have a booth within the food and fiber pavilion / “Go Texan” building. The experience was nothing shy of amazing!
While our resume is quite lengthy and we’ve had many great successes; we’ve also been presented with challenges that, of course, come with the territory of being a business owner — that have prevented us from standing up and getting our very own brick and mortar.
To date, we operate from a commercial kitchen and fulfill online orders to the public.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has in no way been a smooth road! Being in such an industry that is ever-changing and really oversaturated with bakers/bakeries, there has been massive challenges! As a young entrepreneur with very little guidance or mentorship and the definition of “ignorance on fire”, I was faced with challenges in various areas; bookkeeping, undercharging, inabilities to balance life (full-time student at DBU and working full time), of course the trap most of us fall in, allowing others to negotiate our prices! Those were minor issues in comparison to challenges faced while finding ways to get back in the groove and learn new techniques following the birth of my son in 2017! The business halted for a little over a year — forcing BBYCKS off of the client’s radar. Introducing new items and re-introducing items that have always been hits for us has been our only saving grace! We are on target to be running a physical location by Jan 2021!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BbyCks Cupcakery & More – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
BbyCakes Cupcakery is a small bakery specializing in all things sweet! Our niche, though, has been in finding amazing ways to marry savory and sweet items into something presentable to our client base! We began with our previously mentioned ” TEXAS Briskake! It’s just that, a brisket cupcake! It put your belly and soul at peace with perfectly smoked brisket and BBQ buttercream. Its a flavor profile known to all == but in the form of a cupcake! We’ve introduced other sweet and savory flavors — 7 layer dip, The Denmark, The Texas Heat Chicken wing cupcake, chili dog, maple bacon, and many more.
I’m most proud of our ability to still stand and persevere in an industry so saturated. As the owner, I am constantly thinking of ways to grow –provide excellent customer service, offer a product worthy of selling, and an overall GRAND experience to every customer we are blessed to work with.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Like? I Looooveee Dallas — it is ever-changing and I love it! We have people who don’t mind showing up and showing out for us as business owners! It’s been a blast servicing a city I was born and raised in! & I Can’t think of one thing I dislike — as I try to keep out of negative spaces mentally — especially if they don’t grow me!
Contact Info:
- Website: bbycakes.com
- Phone: 2146999821`
- Email: bccupcakery2011@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbycks_cupcakery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BbyCksCupcakery/
Image Credit:
Images of me photo credit: @powerthephotographer
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