Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Rucker.
Hi Monique, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started Mon’Ami Sweets from my little kitchen in Melissa, Texas, but the heart of this bakery was born long before I ever sold a single cake. Baking became my safe space during some of the hardest seasons of my life. After losing my dad, going through deep personal losses, and fighting my own health battles—lupus, surgeries, chronic pain—baking was the one thing that brought me comfort, joy, and a sense of peace. It was the place where I could still pour love into something even on days when I didn’t feel strong.
A big turning point happened while planning my own wedding. I searched everywhere for a baker who could give us that true home-baked taste—the warm, nostalgic flavor I grew up with—and I still couldn’t find it. My best friend finally said, “Just make it yourself,” and that’s exactly what I decided to do. I went back to some of my old family recipes, started tweaking and testing, and brought those flavors back to life. That moment opened my eyes to something bigger: people don’t just want a pretty cake. They want a cake that tastes like home… comforting, familiar, and made with love.
Even then, I didn’t think I was ready to turn baking into a business. I was still healing mentally, emotionally, and physically. But my family and friends kept encouraging me, reminding me of my gift and telling me I could really do this. And my friend Lisa—an entrepreneur herself—took it even further. She became my very first customer and my biggest supporter. She hyped my business before I even believed I had one and kept pushing me to step into my purpose. I will always be grateful for her.
From there, Mon’Ami Sweets was born. I launched under the Texas Cottage Food Law and have been growing ever since—perfecting my recipes, building my brand, showing up at community events, and putting real heart into every cake I make. Every order reminds me why I started: to create something beautiful, comforting, and full of love.
My story is about resilience, faith, and turning pain into purpose. Mon’Ami Sweets is personal to me. It represents healing, hope, and the belief that you can start right where you are and create something meaningful.
And I’m just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The cottage bakery space is extremely competitive, especially in Texas where there are so many talented home bakers. In the beginning, it was intimidating to step into a market where everyone already seemed established. I had to learn how to trust my own style, my flavors, and the calling God placed on my life.
On top of that, balancing a full-time career, my health battles, and family responsibilities while trying to grow a business has been challenging. There were days my body was tired, days I doubted myself, and days when I wondered if there was even room for me in this industry.
But I firmly believe that what’s for you will always be yours. No one can stop God’s plan for your life. Every challenge pushed me to get better, stay consistent, and keep my heart in the right place. Instead of competing, I chose to focus on creating cakes that feel like home—full of love, flavor, and intention.
Those struggles ended up shaping me, grounding me, and helping me build Mon’Ami Sweets with purpose instead of pressure.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mon’Ami Sweets?
Mon’Ami Sweets is my cottage bakery based in Melissa, Texas, where I specialize in crafting cakes that taste like home. I’m known for pairing beautiful designs with rich, nostalgic, from-scratch flavors that people can actually feel. Everything I make is baked in small batches with premium ingredients, real fruit, and the kind of care you can taste in every bite.
My most popular cakes—the Banana Pudding Cake, the Lemon Velvet Cake, and my White Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Compote—have become customer favorites. These cakes are known for being incredibly moist, full of flavor, and the type of desserts people come back for again and again. They’re comforting, familiar, and still elevated enough to feel special.
What sets Mon’Ami Sweets apart is the heart behind the brand. This isn’t a mass-produced bakery. Every cake is intentional, personal, and made with love. I put just as much energy into the flavor as I do the design, because I want people to cut into a cake that not only looks beautiful, but instantly takes them back to a warm memory.
I’m most proud that Mon’Ami Sweets was built out of faith, healing, and purpose. This business has been a part of my journey through loss, health challenges, and growth—and it’s become a way for me to bring comfort and joy to others. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or a simple celebration, my goal is to create desserts that leave a lasting impression.
At Mon’Ami Sweets, everything is baked with intention, heart, and a whole lot of flavor—one slice at a time.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about our city is the sense of community. Melissa feels peaceful, family-oriented, and safe — the kind of place where people still smile at each other, support local businesses, and genuinely care about their neighbors. It’s quiet enough to breathe, but growing enough to bring in new opportunities, new families, and new possibilities. For me, this has become a place where I can build, heal, and create something meaningful with my bakery.
What I like least is probably how quickly the city is growing. With growth comes traffic, construction, and the fear that we’ll lose some of the small-town charm that made this area so special in the first place. But overall, I’m grateful to be here. Melissa has given me a sense of peace, purpose, and community that I truly appreciate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monamisweets.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monami_sweets?igsh=MXI5M2gzMXFsczBpYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15MvWyBCZra/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
7 Arcs Photography
