Today we’d like to introduce you to De Michelle.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always loved baking. Ever since I was a little girl I loved to bake. I remember that one of my favorite cakes to bake was a toasted coconut almond cake. Over the years I worked as a cake designer for Seessel’s, Kroger, and Baskin Robbins. In 2018 I decided to try to make a go of developing my own business in the baking industry. My cake were purchased and loved by my clientele. But I wanted to stand out. I wanted to a signature with my cake. I wanted people to not only be able to taste my cakes and know that it was a De’s Delights cake, I wanted them to be able to recognize my cake just by the look. I thought about it and thought about it. And just as I thought I was tapped out of ideas. I remembered the words of my daddy, Chief Bishop Elbert Jones Sr.’s sermon, “It’s in the house”. Not only was it in the house, it was staring me in my face. A Cup!!! So, I decided to make what has become my signature. I decided to make the Cakecup. Not to be misconstrued as a cupcake. It is a Cakecup. It is slices of moist, fluffy, delicious cake stacked in a cup, separated by layers. creamy and decadent icing. I became known as the Cakecup Queen. My signature cakecup is the Sweet Potato Pie Cake. In 2019 “pre-COVID”, I began to market my cakecups in different stores in Memphis, TN and Southaven, MS. I also had a location in downtown Memphis. Due to mandatory shutdowns due to COVID, maintaining business proved to be a tedious task. It was doing this time that I wanted to just give up and throw in the towel. I had worked so hard to establish a signature and it seemed that COVID was going to take that all away. I really would have given up, and on the very morning I decided to just walk away from it, my momma, Evangelist Brenda Jones, called me and said to me that delay does not mean denial. That was the beginning of my second wind. Once things began to open back up, I participated in pop up shop events, started baking for private functions, and was afforded the opportunity to sale my cakecups at the Boss Man Pit Stop owned by Eddie and Patricia Patterson. I set up shop and sold my cakecups right alongside them. There was hardly ever a day that I didn’t sell out. In October 2021, I felt an urge to relocate. And decided to move to the DFW area. And here I am today being featured in a magazine. The journey in Dallas as been so amazing. In my short 9 months of living here. I have landed major contracts, on 11 by invite only preferred vendor lists for event venues. My cakes are currently being sold in Royal Seafood and Grill Cedar Hill owned by Jerry and Rhonda Reed. The road has not been easy, But I truly thank God for my journey, and the ones He has allowed to support and encourage me along the way, I really would like to mention each of their names, but I’m afraid if I do that, I will miss someone and I don’t want to do that. But I cannot say a very special thank you to my momma and daddy. Momma and Daddy thank you so much for teaching this little black girl that dreams are just realities in the making. I love you both.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I faced several challenges and obstacles along the way. Such as the struggle to find my niche, my signature, that would set me aside from all other bakeries and cakeologists. COVID was the biggest obstacle to overcome. My business was not considered essential, so therefore I was shut down. The next was trying to reestablish myself and build momentum back up after such a long break. Lastly relocating to Dallas. My biggest obstacle was establishing myself in a city that I knew nothing about and that knew nothing about me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am known as the Cakecup Queen. I take any pie flavor and make it into a cake. I am most proud of the fact that I kept pushing, I was featured at the Taste of the Bluff City sponsored by Bluff City Magazine in 2021. I was featured on a live report on Channel 3 News in 2021. My cakes were carried in Valero stores in Memphis, TN and Southaven, MS. My signature Sweet Potato Pie Cake has won 3 cake contests. My Banana Pudding Cake has won 1 cake contest. My cake is now being carried in the Royal Seafood and Grill in Cedar Hill, TX. Catering the Federation of Insurance Women of Texas Annual Event in Granbury, TX at the Riverview Ranch Event Center., a featured baker in the 1st Annual ISSA Cakeoff baking competition. and finally, being hand selected to participate in the greatest baker competition hosted by Alice Fevronia, Great British Bake-Off finalist.
I have partnered with Uncle Blak’s BBQ+ owned by Joel Lewis. Together we provide a full-service catering experience with custom beverages provided by Steffed Up Lemonades owned by Steffon Jones.
The thing that sets me a part is my signature, the Cakecup
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson that I have learned I’d not to quit and never give up your dream, your passion. Lie my momma said delay does not mean denial. You just have to keep pushing, your breakthrough could be just around the corner or in my case just 7 hours away.
Pricing:
- Cakecups start at $6 each
- Dessert Buffets start at $250
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Des_cakecups
- Facebook: @Cakecupqueen
- Other: 682.407.1392
