Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorean Austin.
Hi Dorean, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My grandmother was the baker in our family. She had me in the kitchen with her on most holidays. Thanksgiving of 2012, I found myself wanting a pie like grandmas sweet potato pie, but after she retired from baking, she wasn’t able to share her recipes because she didn’t bake by measurement. So I began experimenting and it took me five years to create a recipe that I was satisfied with. At the time grandma lived in Michigan, so I sent her a pie via express mail to get her approval/opinion. She told me the pie was even better than hers and that I should make them to sell. 🤔 In addition, my mother-in-law (Emma) loved sweet potatoes and was more than happy to give me lessons on how I should make them for her son. She was always a sweet and loving mother figure and she passed away in 2014. So when I started my business in 2017; I wanted to honor her memory as well as acknowledge my grandmother for taking time to teach. I named my business Sweet granny Emm’s Pies & Thangs. I figured I would add “Thangs” because I loved baking in general and didn’t want to limit my offering to just pies. My grandmother passed away in 2020, and by far, this has been one of the most difficult years of my adult life. I have struggled with grief and my overall mental health. Right now, baking is the only thing that gives me peace of mind; it’s therapeutic!
While teaching me to bake, she had no clue that she was actually teaching me how to cope with losing her. 2020 changed everything for my small business! Prior to the pandemic, I sold my sweets via pop-up shops or vendor events. All of that came to a screeching halt and I had to figure out a new business model or close. I decided to relaunch and add custom cakes/cookies/cupcakes to my product offering. And by a stroke of pure luck and being in the right place at the right time, I was able to get my cakes & pies into a restaurant by partnering with What’s Cluckin Chicken in Plano. Today, business is thriving! I have more orders than I can handle and I am enjoying the ride!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been hard juggling my career and getting this business off the ground. In the first few years, there were many learning moments. The vending events were not going well. Mostly because organizers would take the fee but not advertise the event, so the turnout was poor, some organizers would have too many sweet/cake vendors at an event, so sales were low. The weather also impacted my bottom line due to the nature of my product being perishable. I learned how quickly pies spoil in the heat. I needed a portable refrigerated display case but it wasn’t in my budget. I had been using bill money to cover expenses and there were many times that I just wanted to quit and focus on my I.T. career.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?Professionally I work as a Sr. Business Intelligence & Analytics Developer. I’ve been in the field for 15 years and I love the work. I stand out as a mentor, problem solver, and creative design developer. My business name is Sweet granny Emms’. I am most proud of the smiles I put on the faces of the homeless. Whatever is left after any event, I take to downtown Dallas and give away. It’s not much, but it’s something! Going forward, I believe that my business will be known for my creative cake designs. I so love to see a concept come to fruition, it makes it all worth it!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Do your research! Study the statistics of your target market and your competition. Find a mentor! (Someone successful in your area of business). Ask questions! Perfect your craft! (Always be willing to learn and improve) Focus on Customer Service! (Create a platform for feedback because it helps you grow!)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sweetgrannyemms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetgrannyemms/
