Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Farmer.
Gina has a diverse background. She had her start in professional modeling at a young age, but quickly decided she had a knack for business. She has spent time in advertising as an intern, spent seven years as a paralegal and is a Commercial jet pilot. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University in 2001, she started a new enterprise. At the age of 24, she sold her first business, Diamond Affairs, a luxury stationery boutique. Fast forward a few years, and two children, she founded and sold The Hair Bar- 2 blow-dry salons in the DFW area. She now works around the clock building and growing her empire, The Dough Dough, all while ensuring her motherly duties are never overlooked. Always striving to better herself and keep her mind sharp, Gina also earned a Certificate in Physical Training and Exercised Physiology and Kinesiology from the Cooper Institute in Dallas. Currently, she is pursuing a Graduate Degree in Gemology with the coveted and respected Gemological Institute of America in NYC and Carlsbad in order to pursue Jewelry and Gem Appraisal.
Gina is very philanthropic and currently serves and has served on numerous boards including, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Zoo, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, The Junior League of Dallas, the AT&T Center for Performing Arts, the Brinker International Forum, the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee and SLANT 45. She was a founding board member of Heroes for Children, The Fashionistas and the Salvation Army’s “Youth Education Town.” She was recognized as a top businesswoman by Modern Luxury Magazine in 2013. Gina has served as Honorary Chairman for the Symphony Gala and the Dallas Arboretum, and she was honored as Woman of the Year in 2014 by Les Femmes du Monde. She was a Den Leader in Cub Scouts and currently serves as the team manager for her boy’s football teams. She loves spending quality time traveling with her husband Grant, and her two boys. Gina believes in and practices “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Has it been a smooth road?
Any business owner that tells you their path has been smooth is lying to you. Each business within the three industries I’ve owned businesses in have had their unique challenges. Each required me learning in-depth the regulations and laws within it. The food industry has proper food handling techniques, manufacturing laws and health codes you must abide by. The hair industry has a manual three inches thick of rules and regulations that follow cosmetologists and salon owners. However, the commonality between the three is they were all retail. Retail is tough. The margins tend to be slim, so learning how to operate and manage in the most “lean” way possible is key to long term success. Within the restaurant industry, with the profit margins low and cost of business high- it presents a challenge weekly on how best to regulate your labor and food costs in relation to your production and sales. It is dynamic- which never allows you to rest on your laurels or trends. Because trends change, people’s tastes change, and as we enter a different way to consume food via take out only- it can be incredibly damaging to the bottom line. It is being able to adapt- to the economy, food preferences, etc. that allows us to survive.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Dough Dough is a dessert shop that specializes in safe to eat raw cookie dough, baked goods like cakes, cookies, brownies, ice cream and other cookie dough centric desserts. Using specialized ingredients, like heat-treated flour and pasteurized egg whites- we are able to reduce or nearly eliminate any potentially harmful bacteria found in cookie dough that makes people ill. It is our cookie dough that sets us apart from other dessert concepts. We are the only one in town who makes by scratch everyday 12 daily flavors of cookie dough and rotate another 12 seasonal flavors in the line-up. One thing we are known for is our special Cookie Dough Cakes. They are cakes stuffed with eggless chocolate chip cookie dough, layers of cake and icing, covered with cookies, brownies, and cookie dough bites. It is sinfully delicious.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! Dallas is a very entrepreneurial city. We have one of the largest populations in the country of entrepreneurs, as well as billionaire self-made entrepreneurs. Mark Cuban is one of my favorites- with his support of small businesses both inside and outside of Shark Tank. Surround yourself with a panel of experts within their field as you start out, for guidance and advice. Most are more than willing to help and become a member of business-specific groups for additional support. Dallas has a diverse culture and demographic- so depending on your business and the business model, you need to be careful where to position yourself. Location is the most important piece of the puzzle in figuring out where to be. You need to position yourself within the demographic you serve and within an area that you can fill the need.
Pricing:
- 1 scoop $4.00, 2 scoop $7, 3 scoops $9.00
- To-go containers $9.00
- Custom cookie dough cakes from $65.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 5915 Forest Lane, Suite 320
Dallas, Texas 75230 - Website: www.thedoughdough.com
- Phone: 214-254-4445
- Email: gina@thedoughdough.com
- Instagram: @thedoughdough
- Facebook: facebook.com/thedoughdough
- Twitter: thedoughdough
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-dough-dough-dallas-5
Image Credit:
A Pleasant Little Kitchen- Rebecca White
Theresa Fernandez
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