Today we’d like to introduce you to Jevelle Holt.
Jevelle, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been baking since the age of 12. I began with a family friend who made it fun for me and allowed me to be creative. I found myself baking more when I moved from Mississippi to Texas because it reminded me of home and baking with some of my favorite family members. After a period of time, I realized I was making cupcakes so often that there was barely room for food and my family couldn’t eat it all; I started taking them to work.
My coworkers raved about them and would always ask me to bring in cupcakes for company potlucks. To my surprise, I started receiving paid orders from them. One day, I was discussing the move and the excitement of the reception of my cupcakes with a friend. They suggested I turn it into a small business. I couldn’t think of a name; they said ‘Sweet Tooth Velle’ because you like sweet things and your cupcakes. It had a ring to it and it is unique like me.
Great, 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 most definitely has not been a smooth road. There have been some bumpy roads and paved roads (and still are) but it’s great. When I initially started, I was just baking without a plan. For me, I was just baking and accepting whatever someone would pay me because they gave me a chance. I would, in my mama’s words, give away my cupcakes because I undervalued myself and didn’t think about baking as a business person but as a hobby. I have attended farmers markets, bake sales, fashion shows, vision boards, the AIDS Walk and other events as a vendor.
Through that, I have learned to plan ahead and to stay organized. I’ve had a meltdown because I thought I haven’t done enough. One day, my mama said, “Girl, every baker is making the same flavors. What makes a difference is how you decorate it.” That has stuck with me and I remember that when I have an inadequacy moment. You have to remember that you can do it and what is happening is temporary. Through it all, I’ve learned and grown so much as a small business owner.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sweet Tooth Velle – what should we know?
I create, bake and design southern style fashion-inspired cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and tea cakes. My cupcakes come in mini, regular and jumbo sizes. I have been making teacakes since I have been offering cupcakes when I first began; most people are surprised to know that I know about teacakes. I grew up around older people so I know about things and sayings that most older people may say. People tell me that they haven’t had them in a while and they remember me not only for that but also because my cupcakes are usually filled more than the standard amount.
In the last year, I’ve also decided to get into cakes and cookies. I started with buttercream cakes and once I was comfortable with it, I started using fondant. I enjoy using both buttercream and fondant on cakes and cupcakes. I continue learning new ways to push my creativity and to provide the best product possible for my customers. I also offer vegan cakes and cupcakes. I currently offer chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies and caramel snickerdoodle cookies. I am inspired by art and fashion. Art is subjective as is fashion. Each baker has their own design, theme, colors and inspiration when they create something. Like bakers’ flavors, there are many fashion designers who express themselves using various fabrics as their media. For a period of time, I didn’t know how to completely express it. Now, it’s part of my creative process. I’m not afraid to freestyle a design; it’s art. I just happen to create art on a cake or cupcake instead of another canvas.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important quality has to be communication. You can have the best product in the world at the best price with the best service but if you lack communication skills, you will fail. Don’t promise something you know you can’t do. I was doing that in the beginning before I knew better as a business person. As a consumer, I knew if I ordered a clothing item online, for example, but I didn’t know they longer had the product or it was out of stock until after I paid, I would be very upset. If you know you can’t provide a particular service or product, let the consumer know.
Take it a step further and refer them to someone else you may know who may offer the product or service. Your reputation as a business person will remain positive if you communicate with your customers. I believe in confirming the request to the customer and sending an invoice with the information discussed. I currently have been in contact with a customer since late last year with updates for a cake they will be purchasing this year for a baby shower. As a result, I have built relationships with other people who have connected me through them. People will appreciate it and even if you aren’t able to complete it, they can refer someone else to you who may need your product or service.
Pricing:
- Cupcakes – mini start at $3/each; regular start at $5/each; jumbo start at $7/each- dozen TBD
- Cakes – offers, sheet, rounds, cakes shapes and tiers – TBD
- Cookies -start at 2/$3 or $14/dozen
- Teacakes – start at 2/$2 or $12/dozen
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweettoothvelle.com
- Phone: 2283635415
- Email: contact@sweettoothvelle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweet_tooth_velle
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweettoothvelle
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
